So this is how my mind works. Or doesn’t.
I was so discombobulated with the whole Blogger Idol fiasco yesterday that I couldn’t even think about what I wanted to write for today. The idea of coming up with a topic was exhausting, so I decided to do what a lot of NaBloPoMo bloggers do.
No, ye of little faith, I didn’t throw in the towel.
I looked for a prompt.
There were a lot of really fascinating ones but they seemed to involve way too much thought. Like Write a post in the style of (or simply inspired by) a favorite author. Or Explain your biggest regret – as though to a small child.
Definitely food for thought but the equivalent of chewing a well done steak when all I wanted was to suck down spoonfuls of ice cream.
Then I came across this one, which sounded both intriguing and manageable:
Click over to your favorite blog, and pick out the 4th and 14th words (that aren’t “the” or “an”). Drop them into this phrase:
“_____ is the new _____.”
There’s your post title. Now write!
I am obsessed with Orange is the New Black and I had just finished reading a gorgeous post called “Testing the Weary” on one of my favorite blogs (Transitioning Mom) by one of my favorite people (Mary Lanzavecchia), so I was totally inspired.
Here was Mary’s first paragraph, with the words I was supposed to use in bold.
I’ve sat down and started several different posts again this morning. However, the words are blocked, thoughts jumbled, and my heart disinterested.
This meant my post would be “Started is the new Blocked.”
Perfect.
I realize that may sound crazy to most of you, including my husband who supports my enthusiasm even when he has no idea what I’m talking about, but it totally resonated with me.
The very first post I wrote this year was about the word I was choosing for 2013. That word was “do,” and I talked about how well it fit in with the life-changing new philosophy I had recently embraced, “Done is better than perfect.”
All year, because I’ve been so determined to “do,” I’ve tried to overcome any feelings of being “blocked” by just getting “started.” See?
This was like coming full circle to me!
I felt completely validated, like I had been given a sign that I had truly fulfilled the promise of my word. What a great way to end the year!
Then, for some reason, I glanced at the prompt again, only to realize that the word I was supposed to skip in Mary’s paragraph was “an,” not “and.” That meant that not only do I probably need glasses but that I HAD DONE THE WHOLE THING INCORRECTLY.
I was supposed to be writing “And is the new Are.”
Are you kidding me?
That doesn’t even make sense.
So I took a deep breath, downed an entire trenta Starbucks iced tea while I pondered the implications of my error, and came to this conclusion:
Whatever.
My post for the day is finished, I’ve completed my NaBloPoMo obligation, and once again I’ve proved – at least to myself – that done is better than perfect.
Done IS better than Perfect!!! I couldn’t agree more! And as I sit here with a prompt for my next post, I need to just get started so I can get it Done … realizing it doesn’t have to be perfect!
Exactly! Isn’t it so liberating?!
And you posted before Ruth! Which in and of itself is a fun fact. I for one LOVED this post…and not just because I am thick in the woods of NaBloPoMo with you. xo
Ha! I actually posted Ruth’s first but used the wrong link and had to re-do it! Are you seeing a pattern here?! xo
Hi Lois! So if I’m reading this correctly, you’re saying that doing something half-assed just to be able to say that it’s done is better than not doing it perfectly or at all? I like that and will use it to my advantage!!
Yes! Trust me, this is life-changing!
I would need a case of Red Bull and a keg gilled with Soy lattes to keep up with you. Done is so much better than perfect, cause in the end, we end up with a bigger slice of Lois.
A keg FILLED. Darn iPhone.
You are so sweet, my friend, not to mention pretty perfect! xo
I actually understand what you said – and it was well said. I will read anything you write…..
MWAH! Thank you so much!
This is just strange Lois. Funny and strange. And done. Somehow it sorta made sense. Guess that’s Day 21 for ya.
Just wait till Day 30!!
Can I vote on this?!?!?! Loved it!
Ha ha! Thanks, Rae! xo
Sounds like you had much fun while finishing your post…!
I think I was delirious by that point!
I feel like the matchmaker that arranged the perfect introduction. Two of my favorite people, making magic!
Thank you, Lisha! Elin and I want to go out with you and Mary! Oh, the trouble we would all get into! xo
Lisha, you echo the thoughts that ran through my head this morning. Lois, you echo the thought that runs through my head every day! xo to you both, and Elin, too, if she’s lurking around here. 🙂
Whoever said you don’t make great friends later in life — well, I just feel sorry for them. <3
Now who’s the goddess?? xoxo
Still you, my friend. Always you! xo
OK, I so totally don’t even know where to start! (Except that I’m apparently a Valley Girl before my second cup of coffee.)
First, I’m honored to even be mentioned on you blog.
Second. your flattering comments made me swoon.
Third, I love Orange is the New Black, indicating yet another way we are kindred.
Fourth, And is like An so, as far as I’m concerned, you, like totally, did this correctly.
Fifth, I love your word of the year idea! This is the second time in a week I’ve heard about this idea (which I think is telling me something.)
Sixth, DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT is going up on a wall somewhere in my house.
Seventh, YOU. I love your words, your humor, your inspiration!
And last, but certainly not least, THANK YOU! xoxo
I, like, totally think you’re awesome! xoxo
I just wrote DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT on a sticky and stuck it in front of my face above my monitor. THAT is perfect. (The rest of this post is pretty darn awesome, too, but that phrase is the.very.best.) Thank you!
It will change your life!
Yes, I got it! And ‘Done is better than perfect’ is going on my studio wall. Thank you!!
xo