Sunday, May 3, 2009

Starting Over

I believe in starting over and that's what I am doing with my blog right now. I finished working a part time job three weeks ago so that I would have more time to write and more time to work on my primary job. I thought I could finish work on Saturday night and Sunday morning I would have time on my hands. I was wrong. It took me a few weeks to unwind and that brings me to today's topic. Deciding to start over is not enough. It's a start, a good start; but only actually doing it counts.

I have started over a few times in my life; who hasn't? I strongly recommend writing thru it, of course I do. Here's how.

It's not likely that we, especially the non-poets among us, will start with something as potentially esoteric as poetry. We may not get going with a personal essay or even a journal entry, but we can make a list. Hear me here, not a to-do list. I use to-do lists all the time, but don't count them among my writing endeavors. I have another type of list that works for me, though. It's the what to keep and what to throw away list.

Works every time. When it is time to start over, there is no need to get rid of everything. Some things are just fine and affirming that is helpful. For instance, right now, I really like where I live. It's not perfect, but I've been here two and a half years and I'm not moving. No need. So on my KEEP list I have 'loft on the salt marsh'. On my THROW AWAY list I had 'weekend job'. The KEEP list often includes certain friendships, classes, long range plans, and writing projects. The THROW AWAY list often includes negative thoughts, relationships, or various maybe I could do this for a living schemes. The lists never include things like declutter, do the dishes or laundry. Those belong on a to-do list.

I'm starting over today, finally getting to implement my new schedule. I know there will be interruptions and I'll have to be flexible, but I'm on my way.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is hard for me to start over because I am such a "stick through it through thick and thin" kind of girl. I am trying, though.

Writing is one way to do this start over thing you suggest. Even if you can't start over in some parts of your life, you can start over in your head and write it down. Nice post, Ellie...

Dody (aka lacegrl130)

Ellie O'Leary said...

Good point. Even when starting over, you still get to keep the things that are working well.