I love this post, Olivia. So much of what you wrote made me feel seen. I didn't even realize that I was nodding my head in agreement with your writing until my husband pointed it out. A struggle of mine is also self-kindness and procrastination. A lot of it comes from my perfectionism, but I have also recently begun noticing that my perfectionism breeds more procrastination and then makes me feel worse and the cycle continues. (This seems so obvious typing this out!) It's the worst being in my mid thirties and not feeling like I have my 'ish together. I'm going to try your "Eat the Frog" trick and might borrow your goal of getting things done that make me feel my best. Thanks so much for sharing!
"What you wrote made me feel seen" is the most special thing I can ever hear/read in the WORLD, so thank you for sharing that. Made my day.
TOTALLY can relate to what you said about perfectionism, by the way! I never realized I was a perfectionist until I realized how much I avoided tasks I couldn't guarantee I'd do perfectly.
I loved this post so much that I downloaded the substack app so I could tell you. So much of my brain space is take up with thinking about doing something even though I know it won’t be as bad (or take as long) as I had thought. But still I putter around my house making more lists and ignoring *the thing*. Now I’ll hear you saying, “eat the damn frog, you idiot” in my head and hopefully will just do it.
Also, the wheel of fortune metaphor! I, too, wait and see how I’m going to feel which is why I have a hard time meal planning or packing for a trip (how on earth will I know what I want in three days?!). I’m trying more this year to take responsibility for my time and not just let things happen to me. It’s like I’m trying to have a hand in placing what cards are on my wheel of fortune wheel.
Anyway, loved this. Thank you for getting me to eat more frogs.
Lordy bee, how I needed to read this today. I have a few frogs of my own that are taunting me—hopping from one to-do list to the next :) As fellow reader Emily so wisely says below, "My perfectionism breeds procrastination and then makes me feel worse and the cycle continues." Oof, same. Today, I will do at least one thing that makes me feel my best.
Sending a hearty high-five to anyone who needs it.
I love this post, Olivia. So much of what you wrote made me feel seen. I didn't even realize that I was nodding my head in agreement with your writing until my husband pointed it out. A struggle of mine is also self-kindness and procrastination. A lot of it comes from my perfectionism, but I have also recently begun noticing that my perfectionism breeds more procrastination and then makes me feel worse and the cycle continues. (This seems so obvious typing this out!) It's the worst being in my mid thirties and not feeling like I have my 'ish together. I'm going to try your "Eat the Frog" trick and might borrow your goal of getting things done that make me feel my best. Thanks so much for sharing!
"What you wrote made me feel seen" is the most special thing I can ever hear/read in the WORLD, so thank you for sharing that. Made my day.
TOTALLY can relate to what you said about perfectionism, by the way! I never realized I was a perfectionist until I realized how much I avoided tasks I couldn't guarantee I'd do perfectly.
I loved this post so much that I downloaded the substack app so I could tell you. So much of my brain space is take up with thinking about doing something even though I know it won’t be as bad (or take as long) as I had thought. But still I putter around my house making more lists and ignoring *the thing*. Now I’ll hear you saying, “eat the damn frog, you idiot” in my head and hopefully will just do it.
Also, the wheel of fortune metaphor! I, too, wait and see how I’m going to feel which is why I have a hard time meal planning or packing for a trip (how on earth will I know what I want in three days?!). I’m trying more this year to take responsibility for my time and not just let things happen to me. It’s like I’m trying to have a hand in placing what cards are on my wheel of fortune wheel.
Anyway, loved this. Thank you for getting me to eat more frogs.
Ah! Thank you! How are you liking the app?
So much of my brain space is ALSO taken up by thinking about something I should be doing... why do we do this to ourselves!!
Lordy bee, how I needed to read this today. I have a few frogs of my own that are taunting me—hopping from one to-do list to the next :) As fellow reader Emily so wisely says below, "My perfectionism breeds procrastination and then makes me feel worse and the cycle continues." Oof, same. Today, I will do at least one thing that makes me feel my best.
Sending a hearty high-five to anyone who needs it.
I hope you were able to do that thing!! :) Or if not, that you gave yourself some grace anyway!
I loved this post SO much, thank you Olivia for always being honest with your community! I’m definitely adding Eat the Frog to my to do lists now!!
You're so welcome, Hannah. Thank you so much for reading.
I hope it helped! Thank you for reading :)