I’ve done it again. What is this tendency to pack up my day with … busy? I’m looking at a nearly blank calendar and am still feeling behind.

Whaaat?

In psychology, there’s a term called flight of ideas which is a thought disorder. A person darts from one topic to another, one idea to another.

I suffer from flight of projects. Quite possibly born from over-commitment, and an inflated sense of self and poor follow-throughs – who knows?

I prefer to think I’m a Renaissance Woman.

Before COVID, I was starting to get overly busy. Too many groups. Too many meetings. Lots of go-go-go. A blank day in my planner was greeted with glee and a sigh. Crazy.

When COVID hit, I was wielding a giant eraser over the calendar. Nothing. Nope. Not that. Not that, either.

In six months of flying solo at home, I have managed to do it again. My time is filled. Almost to the max.

Is this bad?

Twiddling thumbs or being bored just doesn’t happen. Longing for the physical company of family and friends can be a soul-challenging struggle, however.

That’s my answer.

No, it’s not bad. It’s called survival.

We expand where we can. Multiple projects – especially if we are learning something new or finding a new way to share what we know – can help fill in the gaps experienced in other areas.

How are you coping with reduced social interaction? How have you filled your time? Are you learning something new?  Are you brightening someone else’s world?

An author friend of mine started playing the ukulele at the start of the Phase One shut down. Her first Facebook post this spring showed her carefully placing her fingers on the strings to create a simple tune. As time progressed, her fingering reflected confidence from practice and her songs were more tuneful. Not only was she learning something new, but she was encouraging others.

Whenever this time of COVID ends, I hope that we will look back not at a wasted passage of time, but as a time of learning, creativity, and service.

Please comment with something new you have learned and how you have shared it. Meanwhile, I’m going to finish several hand-crafted cards to cheer-up some friends going through hard times.

In health,

Deidre