I want to write
I want to do a martial art of some description
I want to be fluent in a language other than my own
I want to play the piano more often
I want to be fit … really fit… the point where your body works fluidly and powerfully
I want to be more adventurous with cooking
I want to decorate my house properly instead of always intending to do it
I want to learn to ride a horse
I want to take A-levels just for fun
I want to do an OU degree for no other purpose than because I can
I want to read my way through great literature … and a lot of crap literature too
I want to learn how to knit
I want to learn to play the flute
I want a DSLR and to learn how to be good at using it
I want to climb Snowdon (managed 2/3rds of the way when I was 16 but then ran out of time)
I want to set up a betta (fish) tank
I want a 4 double bedroomed house with 3 reception rooms in a good school area
I want to see all the cool parts of the UK I’ve never been to
I want to be better at keeping up with good friends
I want to feel like a better contributor to the household funds
I want to actually complete a computer game
I want to live by the sea
It occurs to me, looking at the list, which hasn’t even scratched the surface of all my whims and grand plans (these are just the few that came to mind while chatting to some friends on MSN), that I’m going to need three or four lifetimes worth to achieve them all.
I have so many interests, I don’t have time to fit them all in. At the same time, I feel I want to give them my all, I over-schedule myself then inevitably feel guilty and angry at myself for “failing” before getting swept away in the next project. As turquoise lisa told me on MSN, “I am constantly flitty, though you make me look quite steady”.
I think I either have to accept that I am, by nature, a jack of all trades and will never be master of any. To run with that, and enjoy it anyway. Work to my strengths. OR, I have to pick one or two things on that list and focus on them exclusively. Either way, I need to seriously reduce the commitments I’ve built up over time that I don’t really enjoy, but suck away all my time.
I haven’t read most of the blogs I like to keep up with for months now, with over 200 on my blog roll it gets so overwhelming, not to mention all the Flickr groups I’m trying (and failing to keep on top of). Mumsnet is far too interesting these days, but how many evenings have I spent where I look up and all I’ve done is read threads on there? Something needs to give…
10 responses so far ↓
1 Daisy // 28th Aug 2006 at 12:22 pm
Oh I hear you! I keep making these damn lists but all they do is sit on the hard drive or in a notebook and I carry on flitting from one thing to t’other, oblivious. Sigh.
2 Miss L // 28th Aug 2006 at 1:50 pm
You are right – have a clear out and start to say ‘No’, it is wonderful. Mind you it might take years to have the courage to do this!!!
3 Linda // 28th Aug 2006 at 10:48 pm
What’s stopping you with number one? You write brilliantly already, don’t you? Here I am, random visitor, back at your blog to check out what you have to say for starters! Good luck with it – and good luck with Snowdon, I’d be happy with the Wrekin.
4 Miss L // 29th Aug 2006 at 7:36 am
The Wrekin? When I was pregnant and late delivering my little bundle, we used to walk up the Wrekin to avoid being induced – do they still do that!?
5 Pewari // 29th Aug 2006 at 7:41 am
What’s stopping me with number 1? Confidence mainly… and the tendency to fritter my life away on the internet. I tell myself that it’s due to having two small children, but if I’m honest that’s just an excuse.
6 Linda // 29th Aug 2006 at 11:16 am
Well let me tell you that in my experience the amount of confidence journalists/writers have can be the direct opposite in proportion to their talent! There is no reason why you couldn’t be being paid to write for the likes of Practical Parenting/parenting websites/The Guardian’s family pages – if you fancied it – why? Cos you know your stuff! Have you ever heard of a book called Renegade Writer? Give it a go! Like you I spend far too much time on t’internet, but it’s good ‘research’ isn’t it? There is an excellent forum at http://www.journobiz.com and I can think of several members whose background isn’t in journalism who have kids and regular commissions from glossy mags – one is Keris Stainton who has a brilliant blog – http://keris.typepad.com. My daughters are my best excuse for being such a messy cow and not doing half the housework I should! Good luck! Linda
7 Pewari // 29th Aug 2006 at 12:25 pm
Thanks Linda, lots of food for thought. I’ve stuck Renegade Writer on my amazon list and will take a look at that forum!
I’ve also managed to drag down my writer’s idea book down from its high shelf and am forcing myself to sit down and actually WRITE this afternoon.
8 Miss L // 29th Aug 2006 at 2:34 pm
Go for it – your writing keeps us all coming back, so start to believe in yourself. Have a go, there is nothing to lose!!
9 Linda // 29th Aug 2006 at 8:27 pm
Brilliant news and there’s nothing ‘selfish’ in believing in yourself! You go for it, missus.
10 paula // 30th Aug 2006 at 9:37 pm
First of all write you list down on paper. There, you have kind of completed wish number one! Then go through the list ticking off everything as you do it.
I’m hoping to start my OU degree this year (if not it will be the January start date) so if I can do it *anyone* can!
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