Some days are more challenging than others. I’m surely not alone when I say that some days seem to go from morning to the dark of night before I’ve accomplished even just one task. It’s safe to say those days tend to cast a sombre hue onto the next morning.
The cycle of depression, or procrastination will emanate the tone of our well-being. Am I speaking from experience? Absolutely.
Even though days like this will continue to wreak havoc on my soul. There are little things I can do to set myself up for success. Today’s idleness may not change, but I can plan and predict success for tomorrow.
. . .
Some simple tricks I use to make tomorrow better than today
1. Make a to-do list
When procrastination and idleness sneak upon you, try to plan your day for tomorrow. In fact plan your day for the day after tomorrow, or even the day after that. I always have an array of notebooks within reach that are full of lists. To-do lists, vocabulary lists, dream lists and writers’ jargon. The best part of these lists is that it always provides me with interesting reading material! On a day where I feel listless, I will make a to-do list for the following day.
Another great list to create is a ‘Fun Things to Do List’, of art projects, recipes, cutting and colouring your own hair… or maybe not!
2. Write something for yourself
All those little notebooks I have laying around have tons of writing that no one else will see. Writing that is just for me, writing that is no doubt really bad. If I have a thought I will write it down. Sometimes those thoughts will turn into a paragraph or maybe even a chapter of a hypothetical novel… nonetheless it’s a positive step from today’s indolence to hopefully tomorrow’s success.
3. Find new writers to follow on Medium
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. We are part an mazing group! I feel fortunate to have found the writers of Medium, and even more fortunate to be a part of the Illumination community. Medium has provided a richness to my life during a time of low accomplishment.
4. Read a lot
Like most writers, I read a lot. When I feel pandemic frustration and restlessness I read a good book.
My favourite genre is a memoir. I really…… love memoirs. Thus far ‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed’ remains at the top of my list. It’s a well written memoir about a young grieving woman hiking the Pacific Crest Trail for 6 months, solo.
My current read is ‘Catfish and Mandala’ by Andrew X Pham. It’s the memoir of a first generation Californian returning to his humble roots in Vietnam via a solo bicycle journey. His travels take us through the colourful richness of his home country and childhood memories. Pham’s writing is truly engaging. Both reads are succinct, vivid and descriptive.
5. Organize or hang a picture
Lethargy will lower our self-esteem. In an effort to combat lethargy I will throw a blanket on the floor, pull out an old box of stuff and purge. It’s a proven way of clearing your mind, even if you only get rid of a few items.
Today I hung wall art and created a shelving unit out of wooden crate trays painted white for the bathroom. This was a project I came up with yesterday, a day of lackadaisical nothingness. My simple trick for yesterday’s idle day boosted my morale for today’s full day of accomplishment.
6. More random things to plan
I love watching movies on Netflix, but let’s face it, how many movies can we really watch during self-isolation? Adding movies to my watch list while mindlessly surfing the site can be relatively rewarding. Or at the very least it will be easier to select a move later!
A few other things I like to do when I can’t bring myself to do anything is catch up on social media, order a great book from Amazon, create a list of titles for future articles, and imagine several titles of the imaginary book I hope to write one day.
Knowing and accepting today can bring an opportunity to plan tomorrow. Today’s languor doesn’t have to be a complete shut-out, grab a pen, make a list and then enjoy the nothingness.
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This post was previously published on ILLUMINATION.
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You may also like these posts on The Good Men Project:
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 The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer |
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Photo credit: iStock
