The Art of Doing Absolutely Everything Except What You Planned
A little check-in on procrastination, routines, and trying again tomorrow
Imagine this: you sit down with your to-do list, ready to start checking things off. But… you just don’t. Suddenly, everything else feels more urgent. The laundry? Check. A walk to get some fresh air? Check. Texting back that friend you keep forgetting to respond to? Check.
Then comes the endless scroll—jumping from app to app (my current obsession is watching Sonny Angels unboxing videos on TikTok).
Eventually, you catch a glimpse of the clock and realize hours have gone by… and you haven’t touched anything on that to-do list. My brain took over and found a million other ways to distract me from what I actually set out to do.
Then, just when I manage to get back on track and finally sit down to do the thing—BOOM. Creative block strikes. The perfect storm.
Honestly, I’ve been feeling this a lot lately. Passion project ideas are piling up, and the motivation to tackle them feels… nonexistent. I’ve had just enough creative energy to get through the work I have to do, but none left over for the things I want to create just for me.
I know this is part of the process, and it will pass. But when you’re in the thick of it, it really does feel like you’re sinking.
This morning, I realized I hadn’t been outside in two days… yikes. So I took myself for a walk, and that helped a little. But what I really need is a fresh batch of creative inspiration.
Just a little push—or maybe a full-on shove—in the right direction.
One thing I didn’t think about when I became self-employed was all the free time—and the lack of routine. On one hand, it’s amazing. I can take a walk mid-day, book an appointment in the morning, grab groceries and beat the crowds. But on the other hand, it can make it really hard to stay focused. Especially when working from home. Pretty sure my corporate friends working remotely can relate.
Not that I’ve ever been one to stay laser-focused at the office (I love a good coffee chit-chat), but having an expected start and end time definitely helped structure my days.
All this to say: if you’ve been having trouble focusing, finishing passion projects, getting through your to-do list, or sticking to a routine… I relate. We’re in this together. And I hope that if you are procrastinating, you’re also giving yourself time to rest.
So here’s my revised to-do list (for you, but mostly for me):
Drink a glass of water
Do a meditation
Doodle for fun
Journal a page
Take a nap
Eat a sweet treat
I’m also heading off to Paris this weekend for the Now25 conference, and I’m so excited! I’m looking forward to making connections, hearing some inspiring talks, and wandering around one of my favorite cities. Nothing like a trip to Paris to lift the spirits.
Can’t wait to share what I learn (and see) while I’m there. 👀
In the meantime, let me know what’s been on your to-do list lately (or what you’ve been avoiding—I listen and do not judge).
You can now contribute to Studio Notes’ growth without strings attached! If you can’t commit to a monthly or annual subscription but would still like to support, you can offer me a symbolic coffee below.
Until next time,
Bailey