Tomorrow Is Another Day

So concludes Scarlett O’Hara at the end of Margaret Mitchell’s epic novel of the Civil War. Apparently Mitchell also considered this phrase as a possible title for the book, but her publishers had a better idea. Scarlett also says elsewhere, “I’ll think about that tomorrow.” But this original “steel magnolia” was a real take-charge sort of person (frankly, my dear, she is not one of my favorite fictional characters). She didn’t claw her way back up from adversity by being a procrastinator.

On my computer screen is a New York Times article about conquering procrastination, but I’m putting off reading it and writing about it. If that’s not enough, the article next to it is on how to overcome being a “carboholic” (someone who craves carbohydrates). These are under the heading of “Smarter Living” which does sound less irritating than “Life Hacks for Dummies” or similar.

So even if I do make myself “just do it” (great slogan, but easier said than done), I shouldn’t reward myself with a cookie. Does the nagging ever stop? There’s also a link to tips on how to clean out a junk drawer. What if you have several of them?

It seems that the main trick to conquering procrastination is the same as tackling clutter – break a big job into little tasks and take frequent breaks as you work. This is why I was aghast at the suggestion from Japanese “tidying up” queen Marie Kondo when I wrote about her a few months ago. She says to take all your clothes, books, or whatever and dump them in a pile for sorting. Presumably this means that you’ll complete the task soon to get rid of the mess. For me, it would just mean giving up and cramming everything back into the closet in frustration.

I think working at a task in short spurts is definitely the way to go. Have you ever had the experience of finally tackling a chore you’ve been dreading and finding it was no big deal after all? This is the happy image you want to hold in your mind. And obviously, the longer you put things off, the bigger the chore and then you find yourself overwhelmed. It’s a vicious circle indeed.

If it’s writer’s block you’re facing, there’s nothing like a deadline imposed by someone else. How many of us when young have stayed up until the wee hours working on a school or college report due the next day? How many of us still procrastinate today? I’ve always envied self-starters, but the rest of us need a firm nudge from an outside source.

If it’s housework you’re putting off, invite people over soon, so you’ll be motivated to clean house. Sometimes I’ve done housework just to avoid doing another chore, so that trick can be useful too. At least you’re doing something that needs doing. The rainy days we’ve had this summer can be put to good use by starting on indoor tasks you have been putting off. You’d be surprised how doing something productive can lift your mood on a chilly, rainy day.

Around Town: Speaking of rain and putting things off, it’s so nice to have that new bridge on Wheeler Street after seven years. At the time of the flood in 2010, we were on vacation in New Mexico observing the Santa Fe River, which was about the size of a drainage ditch during a drought, by our standards. Flying over Rehoboth on the way back to Green Airport, we looked down and marveled at how swollen the Palmer River was. Hopefully, the new bridge will withstand any further floods.

The last time I remember a July this rainy was in the about 20 years ago. I certainly feel for everyone who rented a beach cottage for a week during these soggy periods, along with all lifeguards, and those at camp, both kids and counselors. Yet, there is an upside. If you enjoy summer greenery as much as I do, this has been a banner year. Our yard has never looked so lush in late summer.

The loathsome gypsy moth caterpillars died liked flies, pardon the pun, due to both the fungus and virus that decimated their population. This kept the caterpillars’ onslaught on local trees down quite a bit and there were far fewer moths to lay eggs for next year. Still, some damage was done, and coupled with the horrendous defoliation during last year’s drought, too many trees around town are almost bare, including a few in our yard. It is so distressing to see all these bare branches poking up amidst all the greenery. I don’t know whether any of these damaged trees can recover or not, but I’ll worry about that tomorrow.