Got housework to do? Find a deadline to put off

Ihave many thousands of words to write for a looming Christmas deadline. The nearer it gets, the more I perfect the art of procrastination. I recently had an entire day which was clear to write. I’m not proud of it, but the following is what I actually did: l Woke about 7am. Had cup of tea, showered, dressed. Decided to sort out spare room wardrobe. Put clothes for charity shop into piles. l Went for walk as feeling guilty about lack of exercise. Didn’t go far as it was too cold. l Got home, put heating up. Had two cups of coffee and two slices of toast, read paper. l Put wash on. Filled dishwasher. l Listened to Radio 4 then turned to Radio 2 at 10.30am to do Popmaster quiz. l Checked emails. l Looked online to see if could get the skirt I had coveted on a recent shopping trip and which they didn’t have in my size in the shop. They did have it online. Looked at online bank account. Decided not to buy skirt. l Went to post office to post birthday present for nephew. Met friend in queue and went for quick catch-up coffee and cake. l Put washing into dryer, cleaned out pasta shelf in kitchen cupboard, put another wash in, hoovered stairs. l Phoned my mum – let her rant about Brexit and Jean’s granddaughter’s problems with the school orchestra. Do not know Jean or her grandchildren. l Made list of Christmas presents I have to buy early enough to send in the post. l Had lunch. l Looked online at properties in South of France for when I get Irish passport sorted (following my mother’s Brexit rant). l Settled myself in the Student’s bedroom to write, as her desk and chair seem less likely to make my back hurt. l Noticed loads of makeup and stuff the Student had left on her dressing table. Tried two different nail varnish colours on toes, then found a “contouring palette”. Was going to try that before realised couldn’t read tiny writing on back telling you how to use, even with my glasses on. l Decided that was a sign and started writing.

The nearer it gets, the more I perfect the art of procrastination