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I am procrastinating and need to stop!

(63 Posts)
Sago Wed 22-Apr-26 13:23:47

I have earmarked this afternoon to get all togged up and tackle a hugely overgrown area at the back of our boundary fence.
It’s full of weeds, brambles, nettles and wildlife.

However I’m still fiddling around in some rather nice clothes reading Gransnet!

What are you putting off?

Wyllow3 Thu 23-Apr-26 15:16:45

There are actually "declutterers" to help out. A bit of emotional support too if you get the right person?

I just googled the name of my city and "decluttering" and it came up with a firm and some individuals. And the advantage that they would follow instructions ie, items that can be recycled/upcycled/chaorty shop/ fitted to say refugees/local hospice shop or whatever your preferences.

MayBee70 Thu 23-Apr-26 14:32:57

HelterSkelter1

I would love to have a "helper" for a week. Not a cleaner but someone to come each day and help me with what I need to do. I would draw up a plan first.

I have a friend who would be great but she is now almost 83 and has some knee and shoulder problems. I think a present of time from family is such a good idea if they can spare it.
I procrastinate with paperwork, but once I can settle down with it it often takes so little time after all.

Same here. I need someone that would understand my emotional attachment to things. My partner says he would help but I point out that it’s not his house, family or memories. And his house is just a pied a terre and a bit of a dumping ground.And my kids just want to throw everything in a skip. I don’t have any other family members.

polly123 Thu 23-Apr-26 14:16:24

Finding things to do in order to delay colouring my hair. Not my favourite task but worth it afterwards.

mbody Thu 23-Apr-26 13:50:46

Old photos!!

Wyllow3 Thu 23-Apr-26 11:38:14

She's one of the world's natural "head for grub and mess and mend" and love to put it right, Gracey.

She actually trained as a carer as in care facilities, 0 I didnt know this when she started, but prefers to operate as an individual now which involves being different things for different people. Its a good rate locally up here in Yorkshire, but I will be putting it up as per annual rise soon because she is exceptional so speedy.

Gracey Thu 23-Apr-26 11:32:40

Gosh! She's definitely worth the money Wyllow!

I don't have a cleaner but know if I did, I'd probably tidy the house before she arrived,
as some of my friends admit to doing!
Friends or family coming to stay is always the jolt I need to make everything spick and
span.

HelterSkelter1 Thu 23-Apr-26 07:16:18

I would love to have a "helper" for a week. Not a cleaner but someone to come each day and help me with what I need to do. I would draw up a plan first.

I have a friend who would be great but she is now almost 83 and has some knee and shoulder problems. I think a present of time from family is such a good idea if they can spare it.
I procrastinate with paperwork, but once I can settle down with it it often takes so little time after all.

Cabbie21 Thu 23-Apr-26 07:01:03

I am particularly busy with activities outside the home this week with no time to tackle my lists, other than tasks which are urgent. So why do I now feel frustrated that I can’t tackle tasks I have been putting off for months, even though I have had lots of spare time? The more time I have, the less I get done, it seems. On the other hand I am good at working to deadlines.

Lovetopaint037 Wed 22-Apr-26 23:36:52

Moth problem. Not mother 😱

Lovetopaint037 Wed 22-Apr-26 23:36:07

Lallylou Sorry to hear about your mother problem. Anything cashmere is like a banquet to moths. They love it so best to keep anything made from it in a sealed plastic bag. They also love sable so my watercolour brushes are kept in a box and separate from my hog hair etc. in fact I walk past anything with cashmere in it no matter how lovely it looks. You certainly have a problem which is a real nuisance for you. Those quotes sound ridiculous.

Wyllow3 Wed 22-Apr-26 20:59:18

head out not head home.

Wyllow3 Wed 22-Apr-26 20:58:53

£17.50 my cleaner.
When she is here I get spurts of energy and get going myself. and tidy before, and continue after. She does the very heavy stuff of course and if we get enough done inside will head home into the garden with me and we'll have a go there.

Gracey Wed 22-Apr-26 20:34:54

I am finding retirement is making me extremely lazy and complacent.
'There's always tomorrow' seems to be my mantra. Just call me Scarlett O'Hara.

We are going on holiday soon and I need to sort out my clothes, do any necessary washing and ironing, and tackle my feet with a good soak, pedicure and nail polish.

If I don't get cracking I'll probably try to cram all this into the day before departure.

It seriously worries me that I hurt myself and stress myself out by not doing tasks when I have the time to do them.
Pleasurable things always come first.
I think I need to hire a really nasty taskmaster to growl at me and threaten me with awful things. I can achieve so much in a short space of time, and used to be super efficient around the house and at work but now, last minute rushing only exhausts and stresses me.
I am a fool to myself.

[Thinks] Is there really such a thing as a taskmaster? Wonder how much they charge an hour......?

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 18:41:05

M0nica 😁

M0nica Wed 22-Apr-26 18:37:11

I have ADHD. I have honed myprocrastination to a fine art. The key is spread sheets that show what needs to be done when, where, what needs to be taken into account/bought/fetched.

In fact I spend so much time playing with my spread sheets I never get anything done.

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 18:32:28

MayBee70

I procrastinate all the time. But for a couple of days I have to stay on the sofa resting my leg and because I can’t do anything I’m desperate to do all the things I put off doing! Perverse or what!

I know how you feel.
Make lists.

At least you're being pro-active!

Allira Wed 22-Apr-26 18:30:56

ClicketyClick

I've been putting off digging out the grass to make way for a new border. If I don't start soon it will never get done.

You could put down cardboard on the grass then heap compost or well- rotted manure on top.

Seen on a gardening programme.

Wyllow3 Wed 22-Apr-26 18:04:34

Well done.

I went for a walk in the Botanical Gardens instead of tackling mine. And a 6" scone.

Next place - the garage. Needs roof mending, as well.
Paper work - hopeless.

Sago Wed 22-Apr-26 17:57:57

Done it!!!

I set to and we made some real headway on weeds, brambles and nettles.

It felt good to be outside.

Norah Wed 22-Apr-26 17:37:17

Procrastinating moving flowers. Today 'Sweet Caroline Lime' have been planted in pots, tomorrow 'Flame Nettle' will be planted in the same pots.

MayBee70 Wed 22-Apr-26 17:25:53

I procrastinate all the time. But for a couple of days I have to stay on the sofa resting my leg and because I can’t do anything I’m desperate to do all the things I put off doing! Perverse or what!

Lallylou Wed 22-Apr-26 17:16:39

I'm procrastinating about our moth situation. They have been in the house for a couple of years now. We have sprayed cleaned etc but they made a bee line to a cashmere sweater of mine which I had for my birthday! So I took the bull by the horns and rang local pest control..........I hope you are all sitting down to read this. There are two types of eradication heat type costing around two thousand pounds and pesticide costing around 800 plus VAT. One good thing they give guarantee if they don't work they will come back and do a redo. The other downside to pesticide is they say I'd have to wash all clothes at 50 degrees which I never do with the exception of linen sheets towels bedding. Wish me luck. Our new bedroom carpet was not wool purely synthetic and hasn't really kept the moths away! Oh dear but I'm telling myself things could be a lot lot worse it could be ratticus 🙂🤔

petra Wed 22-Apr-26 16:57:01

I leant many years ago that the only way to stop the head nag was to go and do the job.
The only job I can ignore until I can’t move in there is my garden shed.

Farmor15 Wed 22-Apr-26 16:53:55

I have a notebook with permanent lists. When page is full, and nearly all items crossed off, I transfer the remaining ones to a new page. Some items get transferred again and again, till I decide I'm never going to do them!

ClicketyClick Wed 22-Apr-26 16:46:24

I've been putting off digging out the grass to make way for a new border. If I don't start soon it will never get done.