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Housework as Procrastination, and Fatigue

Posted 8th November 2007 by Jen Creer, tagged work, sleep, projects

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I took your suggestions to heart. I love the ideas of chunking things, and even just doing something for 15 minutes to get started.

Yesterday, I told myself I was going to let myself fold laundry for one hour. So, I turned on the TV and did that. Then, I stopped and left the house with my laptop to get work done, and I did get work done.

Today, I had 40 minutes before having to pick up kids, so I unloaded and then got all the dirty dishes ready to be loaded again. 

After I got home with the kids, I spent another hour folding clothes, because I had to watch a DVD that I am reviewing for TV Squad.  ___________________________________________________________________________

One of my big problems lately is with fatigue. I may have to break down and call my doctor next week, or I may just have to figure out that I need a lot of sleep. And recognize that my schedule is wonky. Last night, I had a sinus headache, and was up until 1:15 a.m. Up again at 6:30 a.m. to get kids off to school. Then, back to sleep at 8, until 10:30.

So, let's see: that was about 5 hours, all told, at first stretch, plus 2.5. Seven and a half hours of sleep isn't too bad, but I usually need around 9. That explains the nap that happened at 6 and lasted until 8. 

I think I would just be happier with life if the sleeping could happen in one, 9-hour stretch. Which means that I am already late to go to bed: It's 9:44 p.m.

I am a night owl-- I hate the idea of going to bed at 9 p.m. I hate it. So, I need to either embrace (ha!) the wonkiness of my schedule and work around it, or learn to love what I hate.

___________________________________________________________________________

Finally, it's time management: I have 6 manuscripts to edit; 12, 300-page PDF files to tear apart and make tables out of, and newly a grant due on December 7th. It's a huge amount of work. I can get it done-- but it means that my flexibility (okay, my fart-around time) just diminished hugely. I have to get organized, like YESTERDAY.

I also have to buy an Adobe Reader Suite to deal with the PDFs and save my sanity. Goodbye $499. Hello, Sanity. Thank heavens it's a tax deduction. But still... Ow.





4 comments so far...

  • wow! with all that going on PLUS a crazy sleep schedule, it's no wonder you are exhasuted! though i agree never hurts to get it checked out! now that it's dark earlier, does that help make an earlier bed time a little easier? let us know what the doc says ;)

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by Kate on 8th November 2007

  • Your note alone! And I agree with KathyHowe - just making the appointment could help and it might be something as simple as more iron. I just finished a pile of work and am now waiting for more and I know my clients are going to send it all at once and I'll have to pull late nights and weekends, too. Tried to get a much needed full nights sleep last night and was awoken by the 3 y-o who I think has a sinus infection, too. And she didn't want to go back to bed! Wahhhhh. I hope your day looks up.

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by Mandy Nelson - Dandysound on 8th November 2007

  • Definitely go see a doctor! There could be a medical reason for how you are feeling!!!

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by KathyHowe on 8th November 2007

  • I feel you on the bedtime thing. I have a really hard time getting on the same schedule as hubby, but hate it when I'm not...

    Flag as inappropriate Posted by mamajama on 8th November 2007

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