Are the days blurring together? I had to ask my husband what day it was since my fitness watch only shows the date. You finally have time to get that long list of projects accomplished, but all you do is click from one news source to another? Can’t motivate? Join the vast majority. Don’t worry! I have a few tips to make the time go faster and you’ll accomplish a ton of goals like a badass while social distancing, sheltering in place, or on lockdown.
First things first. Demolish the demon. Vanquish the vapid. Stuff a sock in that stupid inner lazy voice! Mine whines whenever I don’t want to do a chore.
How?
Name that lard ass that lives in your head.
I call my inner voice Resistant Rachel.
No offense to any Rachels out there. By all means, call your inner slob, Slovenly Susie.
Resistant Rachel is pure opposition and refusal. Oh, my God. You should hear her. I would get so much done if she would just STOP.
Example:
ME: Aha! I should empty the junk closet in the guest bedroom. That would make me feel like a badass. I’ll feel good after it’s organized. It’s filled with random purses, ski equipment, magazines to be recycled and has become a dumping ground for everything else from decor to dog toys. It needs to be sorted.
RESISTANT RACHEL: But I don’t want to do anything. Leave me alone. *groans*
ME: I should start by emptying the entire walk-in closet Marie Kondo-style and make piles of what needs to be put in its proper place, what needs to be donated, and trash.
RESISTANT RACHEL: Are you still thinking about that stupid closet? Forget about it. It’s not hurting anyone. Shut the door like everyone else. Rachel slumps down in the chair, picks up the TV remote, and randomly clicks to the latest update.
She has no idea that I named her. When she defies my thoughts about accomplishing something, I realize she’s doing it. Now I toss her fat ass out of my head.
ME: Ha! You again. I told you not to hang out in my head when I have things to do. Beat it! (Roxy never misses a photoshoot.)
Resistant Rachel never talks back but I have heard grumbling before she vanishes along with the overstuffed couch, her remote, and the TV.
That doesn’t sound weird at all, I’m sure!
You may never have that problem. Instead, you work out, make progress on all of your projects, and cross each item off your to-do list. That is so great! I’m so proud of you.
I consider myself super self-motivated and yet Rachel’s insipid voice whines, “I don’t want to,” on a regular basis. She digs in her heels, causing all kinds of stress.
Resistant Rachel is a feeling or a reaction to doing something that is totally optional.
Enter the excuses here:
It might take too much time. I may not enjoy it. Exercise is boring. I’m too tired. Blah, blah, blah.
In the Case of the Cluttered Closet, I made a plan with Danny to help with it today. TAKE THAT RESISTANT RACHEL!
Try it!
Name your lazy voice when it whines and accomplish some of your goals. Like I always say, any progress is progress.
Let me know how it goes.
In the meantime, take the coronavirus outbreak seriously. Stay home and stay safe! I’m picking up my prepaid groceries today.
Do you have a lazy inner voice? Will you try giving it a name? Are you watching the news or avoiding it? Do you think the days are flying by or are they suuuuuuper sloooooooowwww?
Pin for later!
Go back to. The battle between your two inner voices is mind numbing. Instead, congratulation yourself for putting pants on
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I have no idea what you’re talking about, Ray…
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yaY!!
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Yes! This lockdown has been weird for everyone. Might as well get something done.
How are you holding up, Beth?
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I’m going okay, keeping busy, and stumbling my way through virtual teaching. Miss face to face humans though
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Me too! I’m glad you’re slogging through it. We may all have new skills by the time this is over. 🙂
Stay healthy, Beth!!
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Oh yes I have that stupid inner voice, Ughh! But I’m proud to say I can usually beat her down with a stick 💪 hope alls well there. Stay safe x
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Great idea. I’ll try a stick next time!!!
Stay healthy too, Sam!
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I am essential and still heading into work (support side of a health care company that includes hospitals). I make a little time on the weekends to be a little lazy to get some much needed downtime. Mister man suggested cleaning up and painting the garage on Sunday. I just walked away – no energy for that. Be Safe and Take Care 🙂
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You should rest!!! Thank you for doing what you do for the rest of us, Renee. Take care of yourself and make downtime your top priority!! 🙂
Stay healthy, my friend!! 🙂
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I could give a psychiatrist a fun session these days (trying to rationalize the same things you’re going through), but because of social distancing, I can’t go for an appointment. Meanwhile, I enjoyed your post. In my mind, I could relate to it. In reality, I feel like a rat in a race.
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I just realized that my comment doesn’t make a lot of sense. Basically I wish I could do what you’re doing. I’m usually good at procrastinating, but can’t do it just now.
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I totally get it. We’re on lockdown here in Colorado, so my choices to do anything else are extremely limited. There’s nothing wrong with chilling out. I actually figured this out months ago and just now wrote it. Naming the voice helped me a lot.
To beat the stress, I’ve been spending a ton of time, rewriting two different books. With all those characters in my head, I can’t hear Rachel’s voice above the din!!! LOL!
Hang in there, Anneli! Stay healthy, my friend. 🙂
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Tnx, U2!
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Yes!!!
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I have been in training for this lockdown and can say I’m pretty much doing a normal day’s work. Of course, I’m lucky cause my watch and blogging schedule keep me pretty much on track day-wise. I loved the photos. I like the one where Roxie looks like she is waiting for another shoe to drop. Well done, Susie.
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Thanks so much, John!
Yes, I feel like my isolation as a writer has been normalized. But I’m not used to not seeing friends and family along with skiing on the weekends. In the meantime, I’m getting a lot done!
Stay well, John. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you as well.
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As a natural sloth, my inner voice of resistance and I have a lifelong relationship. I’ve never named her, so I figure I’ll work on that idea first. Then in a few days when I’ve made the name decision I’ll think about what we might do next. That’s how we badass sloths do things, slowly. 🦥
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LOLOLOLOL!
Long live sloths. One has a special place in my brain too. Let me know what you choose to name it! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Ally! Stay healthy!
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Just an observation over here, Resistant Rachel appears to enjoy building forts our of her oversized couch. Perhaps there is an exercise theme based video idea here🤔.
I have adopted a get up & get dressed kind of attitude. I think it helps me to feel more normal about the day ahead of me. I try to mix in a little excercise, something to work my brain ( jigsaw puzzle, word search, sudoku, writing), grab some fresh air, get a chore done of some sort etc…
We only turn on the news in the am to catch up on any updates we need to know about & that’s it! Tv/Netflix in the evening or wine chats via conference calls to catch up with friends.
No judgment on however anyone fills their day! Whatever it takes to get you through, just stay home!
Love & hugs Rachel, I mean Susie!😘💕😂
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Thanks for the giggle, Lynn! 🙂 That is such a great idea. I’m sure I burned a few calories during that photoshoot. LOL!
That’s a great idea that I’ve been doing too. No jammies during the day. Although I do wear exercise or loungewear during the day. That’s my norm anyway.
I’ve been working on entering writing contests while editing two books so I’ve been doing pretty much the same thing! I do miss my kids, friends and family. I’m trying out Zoom on Monday!
What Netflix shows are you watching? We’re working our way through Killing Eve and will watch the latest Homeland tonight.
Stay home and stay healthy, my friend! (((hugs))) I’ll give your regards to Rachel. LOL!!!
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I had no doubt that Susie was outdoing Rachel when it came to motivation 😂
Netflix recommendations….hmmm…not sure what you like to watch . A few of my favs::
Call the Midwife
Broadchurch
Madmen
Grace & Frankie
Always be my Maybe (movie)
Bodyguard
The Crown
Hang in there girl! Hugs & kisses 😚
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Thanks for the recommendations!!! I haven’t seen several of them!
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Yay!
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Haha…You are so funny, Susie. I agree, we all have that “Resistant Rachel” in us. Two minds are badass ; neither let us work, nor let us sit in peace. You can shared it so nicely.
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Thanks so much Nanchi! I’m so glad you can relate. 🙂 I hope you get a little peace and squealch her annoying voice, anyway. LOL!
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I will try to summon my inner badass! I’d have much more time to do so if I wasn’t still working plus dealing with my boys’ Google Classroom nonsense. Ugh. It makes me jealous to see some people crafting and cleaning and doing so much with these days at home. Mine are busier than usual, unfortunately. Good luck with your closets! Make Marie Kondo proud!
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Hey Rebecca!!
I can’t even imagine. Your inner voice wouldn’t be heard above the din even if you had a choice in what you were doing. Sounds to me like you should sit and relax whenever you get the chance! If Rachel starts bugging you, give her an elbow!!
Yep, it’s big project, but I’m getting there! Danny took the magazines to recycle and I found two mirrors to hang. Always something to do!
Take care, my friend!!
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We’ve got lockdown in NZ too. Weirdly, there isn’t a LOT of difference in my routine – I write full time from my home office anyhow – and I used to take breaks by walking around the block or similar (which is permitted exercise under the lockdown here). There isn’t enough time in my day. My inner voice, this morning, told me to lie in an extra half hour because, well, I’m not going out anywhere so I’ll pick the time up… somehow… Of course I won’t, but to my chagrin, I listened to that inner voice…
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That inner voice is so annoying!
I can relate to the normal isolation of a writer. Not much has changed for me either except I can’t drive anywhere other than the grocery and Danny is home all the time! I am getting a ton of writing done, but I’m super anxious to get the adventurous part of my life back, just like everyone else.
Stay healthy, my friend!!!
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I call my inner voice Unyielding Uma (“U2”). Myriad boxes, box files and bumblebees, within and without my brain, await my attention for aeons, and I tell U2, Hey, this is a God-sent (as in 中國神) moment to do it! But to no avail. Thanks for reminding I am not alone in the ennui.
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You are not alone!!! U2 sounds like a boat anchor. I spoke with my son last night and he had a good point about anyone, whose lifestyle is greatly affected by the lockdown. Since it’s not a normal situation, most people will have to develop a habit in order to get things done. I figure if I can get her to stop whining long enough to attack a few chores on my list, I’ve win!!!
Stay safe, my friend!
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I think I’m Jo’s inner voice sometimes! She’s so motivated and busy and I tell her to relax and not worry. Wonder what she’s named me?
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All kinds of names! 😂😂
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I’m delighted to say that I don’t have a RESISTANT RACHEL in my head, Susie. I’ve found the trick of not allowing her to move in is to write a list of all the jobs that need doing and make it a goal to cross one job off a day. Hey, it seems to be working for me, and RESISTANT RACHEL can bang on my door for as long as she likes! She ain’t getting in.
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Nice!!! Rachel is bound and gagged. My closet is empty and sparkling clean. 😅
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I crossed three things off my list yesterday. You should have seen the look on Rachel’s face. She’s threatened to leave me forever. I waved her goodbye.
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😂😂😂 I bet she doesn’t come back.
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I heard my nephew whining that he didn’t want to do any of the things his mother was suggesting then suddenly realized the voice in my head was doing the same thing. “I don’t feel like it” are the words my inner resister uses but what she means is “I can’t do it ” and that’s rarely true. This is why just showing up is so powerful. Good luck with your closet!
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Thanks, Kit! I’m glad you could relate.
My closet sorted and pretty much empty and clean. Whew! 😅 Rachel is officially bound and gagged. 🤞😊
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Truly laughing out loud, Susie! Those photos are priceless. I know you are super motivated all the time and for you to admit you have the do nothing blahs makes us card-carrying n’er-do-wells feel much better about ourselves.
My inner slacker doesn’t have a formal name, just a nickname. He’s called “Naaaaah.”
Our governor has extended our quarantine to June 10th. I’ve decided I’m going to breed the spiders in my bathroom and sell them in the summer months to people who want keep the mosquitoes at bay.
Loved your post.
ypa
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😂😂😂 I had a rice moth problem in our old house and would pick up spiders and put them in the pantry!!! I could not get rid of them. Luckily the new people who moved in gutted the kitchen.
Yep, Rachel has her moments. Right now, she’s locked in my very neat, nearly empty, and clean closet!!!
Stay healthy!!
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Susie, that’s easy. You have two competing impulses. Don’t fight with either. Let them lead you. Around my photo world we say don’t take the picture, let the picture take you. It works.
“Put your pants on” is something we say down here in the swamp. For instance, this week I’ve seen a lot of people shopping in their PJ bottoms and a ragged old t-shirt. You can’t really stay motivated that way. The saying really comes from the late, great chef Leah Chase. She was interviewed right after Hurricane Katrina. When she was asked how the city was ever going to rebuild, she replied “Put your pants on and get to work.” I miss her a lot.
Stay safe. Enjoy every sandwich.
On Wed, Apr 1, 2020 at 8:32 AM Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride wrote:
> susielindau posted: “Are the days blurring together? I had to ask my > husband what day it was since my fitness watch only shows the date. You > finally have time to get that long list of projects accomplished, but all > you do is click from one new source to another? Can’t motivat” >
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You crack me up, Ray!
Are you staying home and staying safe? The world has become a very surreal place.
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Haha! It’s hard to get motivated when you keep wondering if the numbers are going up or down however I did manage to sort through thousands of slides – some stretching back to 1978). I saved only the best. Will the kids be grateful? Probably not! Take care.
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WOW!!!! That is a ginormous job. Good for you, Jan!
Take care too!!
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HA! I have a “Oh, forget doing that, let’s go outside…the dog needs a potty break,…oh, look weeds in the grass…oh, hey, you can pull that in the wrong place grass runner and move it to the bare dog trail …look squirrels!….” voice.
ANYTHING outside rather than inside voice.
I can’t take the constant news, growing case numbers, or emailed virus task force updates from doc. friends, arrrrghhhhhh!
Somehow I’m busier and actually doing some productive work inside than before “lock down” (We can still go in yards/walk dogs). Keeps me from fretting…besides husband is doing enough of that for both of us.
Love you take on this. (and the last 2 couch pictures)
TO quote the kid down the block standing around the driveway in his Halloween T-Rex suit sign “Extinction sucks. Stay Home!”
Take care and grin once in a while!
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😂😂 You have a very fun neighborhood. 🦕
That’s great to hear! I’ve been getting a lot done too especially since I locked Rachel in the closet now that it’s clean. 😂
Stay safe and healthy, Phil!
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I have several Resistant Rachels in my world. We are hunkering down at the lake and remotely learning (my daughter) and remotely teaching (me)….. It’s easy to get distracted especially when I don;t have to get up, shower, and be out of the house by 7 and now I don’t have to be dressed in anything but shorts and a sweatshirt, I don’t even bother to put on a hat. I posted my e-Lesson this earlier morning and so far almost 3/4 of my students have responded. I need to be prepping for tomorrow’s lesson and reviewing what they did last week, but I’d rather stare out the window. Glad to hear you are doing well and staying healthy. Peace.
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That’s so great to hear! Online classes are such a blessing. I can’t imagine what we would do if space junk hit one of our primary satellites!!
Blessings to you!
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I have the best of intentions but Dithering Dave wants to relax. Love your photos, and I enjoy the comments on your blog, wonderful friends you have online.
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Dithering Dave! I love it! I don’t think I would continue blogging without all of you. Thanks for being a part of my community!
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