Distractions In Your Way?

I’m retired and even though there is a lot of time to be filled, I get this crazy idea there’s just not enough to do what I want to do, I want to write. And, I don’t. So, what gets in the way?

I let f** distractions make a mountainous obstacle to moving ahead. All those political, environmental, and economical goings-on in the world lure me into the muck of “ain’t it awful” and THAT becomes a distraction.

And, besides that and golly gee wilikers, Life “shoulds on me” to: check the news, Instagram, Facebook, emails, do, fold and put away the laundry, do the dishes, shop, cook, stretch, weed, read, exercise, meditate, get gas, eat, sleep, clear out closets and, for heaven’s sake, plan ahead. Well, Ok. Those aren’t Life’s “shoulds” they’re mine. It’s hard to admit, but, I “should” on myself. I choose to obey those “shoulds” and repeatedly do so because I’m scared to do what I want to do – write. Ugly, familiar voices whisper, “no one really cares”, “you can’t write good enough for anyone to be interested”, “you’re gonna die anyway, so why put forth the effort”? Unfortunately, it’s true: those mean voices quiet down when I obey the “shoulds”.

Of late, I’ve become aware of “in the moment” choices I can make that provide immediate relief from the worry I generate about all the stuff outside of my control. Yea, the Serenity Prayer is a good enough introduction, but there are other choices.

Surely, I’m not the only one with similar struggles.

Here are some “choice rules” I’m experimenting with to reach goals.

1. Do not subscribe to new sites/podcasts/blogs for one month
2. Unsubscribe from joyless sites/podcasts/blogs
3. Eat less and move more
4. Shop once or twice and month and, damnit, stick to the list :).
5. Check the news, if you must, once a day
6. Chop enough vegetables for the whole week
7. IMMEDIATELY recycle useless papers, junk mail, and receipts
8. Let calls go to voicemail and listen twice a day
9. Do squats when brushing teeth

What choices do you make to reduce distractions?