lather rinse repeat

My life is full of routines. Monday to Friday has me going through a similar set of actions everyday without a lot of variety. My alarm goes off at the same time every morning. I shower, get dressed and dry my hair, drink my smoothie as I run around gathering things for my day and head out of the house at the same time every morning. I take the same bus and the same train to work, arriving at approximately the same time every day where I hang up my jacket, fill my water bottle and turn on my radio before settling in for a day’s work. The end of the day sees me working in reverse, packing up and leaving at the same time as the day before, arriving home to get changed for the gym, exercising and coming home to make dinner.
I definitely consider myself a creature of habit so having a daily routine is not necessarily something to complain about. As much as I welcome change and like to switch things up every once and a while, my routine is comfortable. I’m so used to doing the same everyday tasks that they become habits. I don’t have to think much about it, it all comes so naturally, making it easy to stay organized, keep in shape and get the little things done efficiently.

Sure, there are some days that I wake up and hate that I’m off to work just like every other day that week. There are some days that I crave a change in my life, something to make every day a little different from the last (I guess that’s why I love my nights and weekends so much!) but, for the most part, my routines just work for me. Which, let's be honest, is probably a good thing considering I don’t think they’re going anywhere for a while. And okay, I’ll admit it…I’ve become a little superstitious about the order in which I operate. However, maybe it’s time I break out of the box a little bit…maybe I’ll eat my breakfast tomorrow before hopping into the shower…

Do you have a routine? Do you crave change?

maybe tomorrow

As the saying goes, why put off until tomorrow what you can do today. I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I bet that I'm not the only one who can come up with several answers to that question that don't involve getting things done today. Procrastination is certainly an art form for some and while I'm not the best at it, I'd have to say that I'm pretty darn good at it. I’ve had my fair share of late nights and rushed conclusions to know that procrastinating is an evil curse I’ve cast upon myself.
Putting things off has become something I do more often than I care to admit. I'd like to be the one who gets an assignment or comes up with an idea and follows through without hesitation. However, there are too many examples of the opposite that easily demonstrate that I am not quite that type of person. Remember The Sketchbook Project? Well, when I excitedly received my sketchbook back in July, I dreamed of spending time each week to not only work on completing it but I was looking forward to immersing myself in something I love to do, a project that would force me to take time for my art. So when last week’s deadline quickly approached, and I had but a quarter of the pages filled, I couldn't help but be impressed with how I had managed to procrastinated for six months while at the same time wondered how I hadn't learned from the past pressure of leaving things until the last minute. And maybe that's the problem, that the pressure is actually what drives me and pushes me to get something done. If I can't see the finish line, I think I am less likely to work towards it. But dangle that carrot in front of me and suddenly you can't stop me from working like a race horse to get it. Luckily, the consequences haven't been too bad so far but that's no reason to keep putting things off. It’s a reason to change before putting things off puts me in a situation I will regret. So starting today, I am saying goodbye to procrastinating…and we all know that when I say today, I really mean tomorrow…which probably means sometime soon…which probably means I’ll just add it to my to-do list and hope for the best!

Are you a procrastinator? Any tips to avoid procrastinating?

PS Thank you all for your inspiring words and ideas! Your support and a little break have me feeling like this funk won't last for much longer.

inspiration for creation

It's said that inspiration is everywhere but to be honest, I just don't see it right now. Lately I've been having trouble being inspired; not just to write but to work and clean and paint and make dinner. Nothing seems as exciting as I want it to. I don't know if it's because the holidays threw a wrench in my routine and my so-called turkey brain is still wearing off or if it’s because Mr. Sun hasn't come out to play with me in a while but whatever it is, I don't like it.
I do agree, though, that inspiration really is everywhere. It's on TV and the internet, it's in newspapers, books and magazines, it's in our homes and out on the streets. It can be found in the most unusual places like the back of a bathroom stall or as a part of our every day endeavours like the girl across from you on the bus. I remember being in university, struggling to come up with a name for an event that I had created for a class assignment. As I stood in front of the wide open freezer, eating frozen strawberries in an attempt to avoid a quick run to the store across the street to stock up on sugar, my roommate looked at me curiously and of course questioned what I was doing. The first words out of my strawberry-filled mouth were ‘feeding my creativity’ and not only was I stunned that the words had come out so easily but I was suddenly inspired, having felt a stroke of genius when I thought it would never come. Who knew a cheap bag of frozen strawberries would be the perfect ingredient for inspiration? It’s moments like this that can be so motivating, knowing that the perfect word or picture or idea could pop into your head at any moment. It’s a moment like this that I am so patiently waiting for right now. I know the inspiration is there, I’m just not seeing it too clearly. It’s a reminder that sometimes we have to look a little harder, dig a little deeper, break out of the box and it really will be right before our eyes. Just in case though, I’m thinking heading out to the store tonight to stock up on strawberries might not be such a bad idea!

What inspires you? What is your best source for inspiration?