Ever have that thing that you used to do, that you stopped doing? And then you find it really hard to start back up again?
It could be a lot of things.
Practicing piano? That happens a lot. Like...a ridiculous lot.
But it could be other things, too.
Exercising.
Writing a book.
Reading a book.
Knitting.
Hanging out with friends.
Whatever.
Things you know don't really take that long to do. But because you haven't done them, it feels like it's hard to get started again.
I've come to think of this as the "just do it" paradox.
Because we know we should just do it. And it won't even take that long to do. But there's something that holds us back from...well...just doing it.
Whether practicing or returning an old friend's email.
I suspect we go through a few stages.
(These are totally made up by me, please don't go quoting this as principles of psychology...unless you find it interesting, then feel free to share this post with all your friends.)
First, we tell ourselves that we'll get to it tomorrow. Then, several days or weeks pass.
Then, there's shame. Shame at not having done the thing. And embarrassment that if we start again, we're either going to be behind or we'll look bad having "finally" gotten to it.
Then, there's rationalizing. I'm too busy for that. I'm sure lots of other people put this off, too. There's always next month.
That kind of thing.
This may go on for weeks, months, or even years.
But for some of us, the day will come when we just do it.
At least for me, this is a twofold experience.
First, there's the excitement of having finally sat down and done the thing.
And then, there's the regret. Because the thing always takes a fraction of the time I thought it would, and I regret not having done it sooner. Because it would have made my life better.
When in doubt, just do it. Even just a little.
Don't put it off to tomorrow. Don't be afraid. Don't make excuses.
All around, stop being a sissy. Just do it.
If you regret it, you can always come back and get mad at me later.
