Procrastination and A Full Plate!

The full plate I am in fact referring to is that of my life. There is so much to do, and I just can't find where to begin.



 If I start one thing I am neglecting the other, and I battle this vicious circle until I finally pick a path.

The problem is, this doesn't always happen straight away and by then a few hours of my life has been wasted. A few hours where I could have gone to the gym, come home and showered.

I honestly can't tell you how many hours I have wasted in contemplation and avoidance. The two seem to just go hand in hand. It's almost like I am contemplating to avoid!



Writing that down, and it somehow becomes more funny and I can definitely see where my wasted time is going.

Do you ever have that problem? Too much to do, so instead you do nothing.

The logic of the above is baffling beyond believe, and as a logical, everything must have an answer kind-of-a-girl, then I realise wholeheartedly how crazy the above is.

But I also realise the things that are holding me back, and how and why I am procrastinating....yep I realise these little add-ons that I am using to explain, only make me sound crazier.

But with all this said I am sure I am not alone. Procrastination comes to us at some point or another, usually when we least what it to spring, and that's exactly how I am feeling now.

I actually...and this is the god's honest truth, stopped going to the gym because it was cutting into my studying time. But now looking back I realise that it was actually removing me of unwanted stress and giving me balance. Yes, it is fair to say that I've been a right plonker!

This is why I am heading back to the gym once I am back in Cheltenham again. So not only have I not been going, but my genius plan of more study-time failed also.

And I have a feeling procrastination isn't something that just fades and falls away with age either?!

So, that's why I have decided to write a list, prioritise things on that list, and then get that work or those things done.

I am beginning to realise that I am not Superwoman (though I have had those dreams), and so sometimes things need to get left behind and knocked of the list.

And that's just something I need to be ok with.

Q.) What's the craziest way you procrastinate?

A.) I clean everything, even my shoes!

xo Chloe xo

Sunday Set-Up...

It is that time of the week again, and I always feel better once my week is laid out in front of me. It helps me establish and remember what's happening. That way I plan around it, and hopefully don't get an unwanted surprise when I forget about an appointment, or annoyed at myself if I don't get some exercise in or whatever.

At the beginning of term I was all like...

classes aren't going to be that bad, I should definitely get a job because I will have plenty of time. Really, Clo?

I do not know what I was thinking, or what I was on but that is definitely not going to be the case!

I clearly didn't pay enough attention to my timetable. Being fair to me though, the timetables barely went live two weeks ago. Which in my opinion was ridiculous, and they should never use this method of picking modules for the academic year again. But then I printed it out and paid close attention to it, and it basically told me that this semester I am going to be busy....really fricking busy. It doesn't appear it if I show you my general timetable on here. But I also have to factor into this disseration time and reading time and when you see my reading list for this semester that doesn't leave that much time - at all.

Mon: 12:15-13:15 - WT302, 13:15-15:15 - EX325

Tues: No Classes. Phew!

Wed: 09:15-11:15 (Every Fortnight) - WT302 Workshop, 12:15-13:15 - WT375

Thurs: No Classes. Phew!

Fri: 09:15-11:15 - EX316, 11:15-13:15 (Every Fortnight) - WT375 Workshop

I am crazily still applying for jobs and internships etc, but now if I don't get a job it's not as though I won't be busy!

Originally I didn't have Thursday off, but I managed to be picked for the Wednesday Workshop group instead of the Thursday one. But my plan for work is to just keep at it, most days and get work done. Admittedly, I took yesterday off but over here I am really ill and it's affecting my sleeping etc. But I am getting straight back on that working horse today! Making sure that I am prepared for tomorrow, and caught up on my reading for the first half of the week.

I also need to make a complaint to an online beauty company about an order I received Friday. I mean who doesn't bubble wrap a face powder! Now I have a crushed face powder that has leaked all over my other items and is unusable.

Anyways that's enough moaning...

This is just going to be a general outline of my week. I am hoping to get better as the week progresses, and maybe even make a full recovery. Finger crossed.

Monday: Walk in the morning. (Hopefully I don't wake up feeling terrible!)

Tuesday: Go food top-up shopping and check out the shopping outlet's down the road. Walk.

Wednesday: I'm in 09:15-13:15, so I'll probably go for a Walk afterwards. But I have a doctors appointment in the evening that I need to remember to go to.

Thursday:Morning Walk and Weight Session (I hope so, because I haven't used my weights in a couple of weeks now!).

Friday: Not sure if I have got a workshop after my early morning class on Friday (I am praying it's a no-go!) Walk in afternoon.

Saturday: In my town starting next Friday is a literature Festival (The Cheltenham Literary Festival - The Times!), and this year I am excited because I get to go with a friend to listen to an hour long talk with Helen Fielding who wrote 'The Bridget Jones' Books. I read the first book over summer and really enjoyed the structure of the book, but I've loved the films since they came out. But it's always nice to know what they kept to and what they did differently.

                          

Sunday: Chill, and catch up on work. Some kind of exercise!

So my plans for next week are very relaxed. I am slowly adapting back into student life and this year (it being my last year of education), I have high aims and goals I want to achieve.

That being said it's all about balance, and so I need to make sure that I am making time for the things I love in life and the things that make me happy. That includes exercise and socialising :-D

But to be honest no-one wants to hang out with me today. I am ill and I am starting to seriously bitch about the fact that I am ill, which lets face it is never good and extremely annoying to boot!

And to end some of my favourite walking quotes:

                    
and...

xoThanks for Readingxo

Time For A Change

And whilst I am writing this post I am singing 'Changes by Ozzy Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne' in my head. Catchy. Anyways like the title says, I am feeling a change coming on. Nothing too dramatic for this blog, it's just the title of the blog really that I am keen to change! I picked the title for this blog a year and a half ago now, and a lot as changed. I only really started using this blog as a writing outlet at the beginning of the year, and as I have got more and more into it things that I used to like no longer serve the purpose they had. This includes the title!

It's also time for an added change. I find myself lately wanting to write posts that wouldn't necessarily go with the theme of this blog. Yes, this blog is all about my life, but it's mainly about; Health, Food, Cooking, Baking, Fitness, Exercise and what not. And that's the category they fall into, because that's the sort of things I started off writing about and I still love to write about! But I find myself wanting to write a post about the new shoes that I brought, or the new make-up that I have been trying out, and although I guess I could integrate those kind of posts into this blog I have made a clear decision to start a second blog where I can write about all of that. Don't know when that will be up and running yet, and I have probably picked the worst time of year to make that decision (it being the beginning of the school year and everything!) But it's what I want to do and are determined to do and so there you have it.

I have also decided that I want to have a crack at making YouTube videos that will all be linked to both blogs in content. I am excited by these up and coming personal projects, and I just hope I haven't overloaded myself too much!

This blog has been a massive help to my anxiety, and my road to recovery if you will. When I started CBT at the beginning of the year, I wouldn't have guessed where the next nine months would take me and I wouldn't have guessed this is where I would be. And I definitely wouldn't have guessed that my head would be in such a good place.

Sure I still suffer from anxiety, and in particular social anxiety. Maybe that fact will never change, but the difference is that I now have a hold on the situation, and have all the tools to help manage my problems. And you guys have no idea how much this blog and your views and comments help me to overcome that. 

Here's to change. Hope you all are well!

And...

xoThanks for Readingxo

Have you ever had any type of therapy for whatever reason, and what are the things you do to cope with your problems?

How many blogs do you have? and Do you write about different things on each, or stick to one where you talk about all things?

Anyone else suffer from Social Anxiety? How do you cope?

Let me know, I would really love your feedback on the subject!

Away From Routine

Starting Saturday I will be away from routine, and with that comes a little stress and a lot of anxiety. Most of which I am keeping under control, with the help of some Kalms. But it isn't as if I am relying on them in any way, they are just being taken when needed, especially since I started to drive again last Friday.

I can't believe I have now had my pap pap a week (and I know, still no photo. Soon).

So, as I've said I have been taking Kalms, just as a buffer if you will, something to top up my control on the different situations of Life. I have had phases in the past of using them, but I have never been prescribed anything and always prefer to use Kalms and seek herbal remedies before I do. My doctor was very insistent when I first brought it to her attention that I was suffering from Panic Attacks and Anxiety that she was going to explore other methods before writing out the prescription.

And I am so glad she din't just give me the meds, it wouldn't have solved anything, and I always knew that there was a deeper meaning behind the attacks etc. The "cognitive behaviour therapy" worked for me and it gave me all the tools I needed. I am not saying I won't need to re-visit it at the later stage, maybe even during the next academic year. But I have the tools, and those tools passed on to me by my therapists will be my saving graces these next 8 days or so. We are going Sat to Sat, but I can feel the anxiety building already.


Source

Whilst on Pinterest the other day I found this, which refers to social anxiety. It sounds stupid but so true. I over-think and see everything, and ponder on conversations that have long passed. It used to be so hard but now everything is manageable and I am hoping the next week proves me right :-D



Source

These are the kind of things that I have to remember. All the time. The world will be as it is, the people will act how they want to act. I just need to find a way to respond to it and that's what I have been doing these past six or seven months. I have gone from surviving, to coping, to thriving, and the last one is how I want to be.

Sue and Jane always encouraged me to come up with a plan. A plan that would help lower my anxiety and focus my intentions. By nature I am a very organised, like to be productive person and this fits my character perfectly. Since most of the week I will be winging it, not quite sure if I should be calling it a plan because most of the week will probably be group activities etc. Something that depends on all parties, not just the one person and so compromises will need to be made along the week. So I am coming up with guidelines so to speak to help me throughout the week.

I will probably do a blog about the list, and how I am getting on or had got on because I have a feeling that I will be on limited internet. (insert my sad face here)

I hope that if any of you have friends or family who suffer from social anxiety, anxiety or depression, or maybe if it's you suffering from anxiety yourself that these posts I do about my experience and story are helping you in a way. However little. It's a tough cookie to crack, but trust me everyone can do it. You are capable of overcoming this, trust me.

Until then, hugs and kisses.

Oh and one more to end the post!


Source

Love it :D

Oh and if you have any questions or just want to private message me, you can email me @: chloe4693@gmail.com.