Simply Serendipitous

This is how I operate:  I have these periods of hyper-productivity, where I’m pretty much amazingly unstoppable.  It’s great.  But a lot of the time, I’m on the other end of the spectrum, where I’m entirely incapable of being a functioning member of society.  I go to the library, and try as I may, it just doesn’t happen.  In those times, I might try a little bit harder, and if I can’t force myself into productivity mode, I leave.  You see, I’d rather be at home, relaxed and not productive than at the library, sitting in a cubicle, and not productive.  The second I catch myself wandering onto Facebook while I’m at the library, it’s time to go, at least if I’m studying by myself.

It’s a system with obvious flaws.  And it’s not usually the kind of thing that works well on its own–I have to force myself to try to get into productivity mode, and only after serious (failed) effort do I give up.  So don’t think I’m a crazy slacker or anything.  Because that’s only sometimes.

Anyway, while I’m sure you’re fascinated by my work habits, I thought I’d tell you about what I do when I’m in one of my off-periods and am entirely useless as it pertains to schoolwork.  Here’s the general breakdown:

1. Bake.  Seriously, it’s become somewhat of a problem.  So far, I’ve gone through 15 pounds of flour this semester, and opened up a new bag last week when I started baking muffins late Sunday evening before heading off to the library.  Then of course, Tuesday night was cupcake night, but this was for a friend’s birthday, so I like to think that was a little bit more reasonable.  Chocolate chip cookies are another favorite.  All of this is from scratch, of course, as I’ve decided my new fallback plan is to open a pastry or truffle shop–I need my practice.

2. Watch movies.  I watched “Up” twice the whole way through this week, and I watched several bits of it during many of my quick/at-home meals.  Fabulous movie, highly recommended if you’ve not yet seen it!  Other times I’ll watch tv shows, etc.  But being able to stare blankly at the screen and not think about anything is a very nice break.

3. Sleep.  Sometimes, I just decide to go to bed really, really early.  Like 11:00.  I’m not sure if I even went to bed that early in high school.  It’s good though, unless I end up getting too much sleep and being groggy in the morning.

4. Cook. This is different from baking, but obviously you know that.  Every now and then, I’ll feel inspired to make something really elaborate or different.  Not that it was elaborate, but as far as different goes, on Saturday during my non-productivity phase, I decided to try to make a butternut squash soup with all sorts of weird variations.  I’d tell you more, but it was kind of gross and I don’t want you to judge me based on my failed experimentation.

I think that’s the majority of my non-work activities.  I hesitate to call them forms of procrastination, because I know very well what I’m doing and at the time, I have no intention of moving on to work until significantly later.  Like I said, I’ve embraced my ridiculous work habits and as long as my hyper-productivity continues to come often enough, I’ll continue perfecting my chocolate chip cookies, following along with ridiculous tv plots, and becoming a master chef.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, blogging falls kind of in-between.  Sometimes it’s on my to-do list, other times I do it for fun, other times it’d fit on the above list.  Tonight it’s a transition.  I was super-productive at the library (for five hours, nonetheless), and came home to take a nice long break, and will shortly be resuming my work.  I have a feeling I’ll be highly motivated these next few weeks…finals are JUST around the corner!