Chasing Rabbits Can Run You Ragged

So this morning, a publisher sent me a text message and asked me for my email address.

A TEXT MESSAGE. FOR MY EMAIL ADDRESS.  FROM A PUBLISHING CORPORATION.

I was still half asleep when I got it so I didn’t really pay much attention to it in my half-delusional, dreamlike state.

Anyway, when I shook off my grogginess and checked my phone, I was kind of taken aback: why would a glorified publishing company use the least sophisticated mode of conversation from the totem pole of communication?  I mean, of course we all use text messaging...but companies?  It just struck me funny that text messaging has become a legitimate and preferred method of communication not just for friends, but for businesses.  It’s not like I’m just now waking up in the twenty-first century and realizing this.  It’s just not something that I ever really thought about before.  Maybe I’m the only one who thinks this is weird, but it kind of got me thinking about two things: 

1. Since when did businesses start going all “IDK My BFF Jill.”
2. Why am I so bent out of shape over this?

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Since I have been unemployed, I have had a lot of time to spend on working on my hobbies.  However, lately I have had this problem where I find my excitement for new projects beginning to wane pretty quickly.  For example, I spent over a week creating a cross stitch pattern (I know, I know…I’m basically an old lady), then ditched it like salad for ice cream when I started a new organizing project.  I seriously spent hours on this adorable pattern: after days of stitching and tweaking the template to perfection, I just stopped.  Why?!  The hard part was over and the fun part is still waiting to be done!  (Shout out to all the other unfinished cross stitch projects in my basket, as well.)

I find myself falling into this cycle.  The organization project I dumped the pattern for was also short lived (but to be fair, I did finish that one).  I’m not saying that I don’t usually finish what I’m working on: I’m just saying that it’s hard to stay dedicated to something when there are all kinds of other new and exciting things demanding attention and stealing focus.

I’ve been persistently trying to work on being more patient, which will hopefully keep me committed and motivated.  It’s really easy to feel inclined to jump some pretty crucial steps out of frustration, exasperation, or waning interest.  But, I’m realizing that it’s better to spend a little extra time on something: I’d rather see things through than be surrounded by a bunch of half-finished projects.  (I don't want to wind up on an episode of Hoarders...)  I want things done right and I enjoy the work it takes.  But finishing projects can be difficult when you catch creative wind for another project. #whyamiinterestedinsomanythings?

Practicing patience is hard.  But it is rewarding.  It’s a daily struggle to maintain motivation; diligence is necessary in order to make progress, and in order to see that progress it is necessary to be patient.

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Maybe instead of being so shocked by a company opting to communicate via text message, I should take a lesson.  Formality can be stuffy…and besides, wouldn’t I rather text the representative instead of calling them, too?

I think this is a pretty transferable lesson in the idea of embracing change rather than fighting it.  Well, for me it is.  Instead of throwing in the towel when my enthusiasm begins to wane or scratching my head in confusion at the lexicons of businesses today, maybe I just need to start adjusting my sails.  I can’t change the way we communicate (especially because I subscribe to and avidly support text messaging), so I just need to go with the flow on this one and take a lesson.  As for all my projects, I need to maintain where I am and catch the next wind that blows my way.  If I want to see results and if I want to see change, I am going to have to push past my Aquarian urge to chase every new proverbial rabbit.

Basically what it comes down to is knowing which winds you should let carry you.  But the most important thing to remember about change is this: you don’t have to like it, but it’s still gonna happen.