11 Comments

Thank you for this! I especially like the last point that there's no such thing as "caught up." My "day job" is being a grad student and when it comes to research, there's ALWAYS something more I could be doing... but I should try to think about (and celebrate!) what I actually got done each day instead. Now off to tackle my time sensitive tasks!

Expand full comment

Thanks for this! To do triage needed here!

Expand full comment
Jan 31Liked by Kate McKean

I hope both your upcoming and past times will be good....

Expand full comment

Not liking the scream part, of course, but the sound advice., especially not sitting at a desk for hours (I can testify that I'm under doctor's orders NOT to do that....)

Expand full comment

I am a *big* fan of Productive Procrastination: all those tasks that have to be done (laundry! dishes! groceries!) as a way to inch myself towards the Other List of writing/teaching/adulting. I have also reminded myself (weekly, daily, hourly) that "caught up" is a legendary land like Narnia or Oz.

Expand full comment

Thank you! I was doing my taxes online this morning and was screaming inside my head, but then I took a walk and came home and read your letter. Better now. Of course, my writing time still awaits! Onward! Be well.

Expand full comment

right there with you Kate!! especially the "do part of a bigger thing that won’t all get done today" - this, I am finding - is key!

Expand full comment

This is really helpful advice, thanks a ton!

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing! #5 REALLY hit home for me.

Expand full comment

Ah crap, I now have to do something with my to-do list? 🤣

Expand full comment

Love this! Thanks for posting - we are all the same I guess and it's good to b reminded of that every once in a while! No one's perfect. Not even close. And we all have to breathe.

Expand full comment