sooo, there's this writer, y'see.  and she's ok.  she's gracious and kind
and interested in getting aspects of our experiences out there, partly to
help others understand what being arthritic is all about.  and she's needing
other people, besides me, to interview for her next article for arthritis
today magazine.

this topic, procrastination, often has negative connotations to it.  but,
there are consciously intentional, pro-active procrastinators, just as there
are unconsciously habitual procrastinators.  most of us fit the first
catagory, because we've had to learn how to pro-actively procrastinate.

i would just love to answer her questions below, cuz you guys know how i
love to get into this kind of stuff and pontificate away or just blab about
myself.<smile>  but she already used me for the article on perfectionism and
she needs different people's perspectives for her next one.

personally, i think these are important topics that will help others, who do
and don't have arthritis.  come on, gang, go for it.  and we'll all get to
learn more things from each other that will help us help ourselves.

kate

Hi,
My name is Polly and I'm a writer working on another piece for
Arthritis Today -- this one about procrastination and how it impacts
your health and quality of life?

Here are a few of the questions I'm curious about -- thanks to some
suggestions from group member Kate --

When has procrastination been helpful to you?
When has it been harmful for you and your arthritis?"
What have you done to manage your procrastination?

Would love some feedback on this topic and would also like to conduct
phone interviews with a few of you, if you're willing.

Please post, or shoot me an email at PLCWriter@gmail.com.
Thanks so much for your time.
Polly

I'll take a shot, but not feeling interesting today.

Procrastination as been helpful the same way it can be helpful to anyone.
If something needs done, and I don't do it now, there are several things
that can happen.

The one you hope for, someone else does it.  Useful sometimes when you are
tired and hurting and just don't feel up to something.  This can work for
things like getting a trip to the grocery store out of the way or getting
the dishes done or put away.  It works best when you have a helpful spouse
or child around and when you are up front about just not being up for the
task.

Other possible consequences are it just doesn't get done.  Beds don't get
made, the vacuuming doesn't get done, and you run out of bread and milk.

Maybe dinner doesn't get cooked, and everyone can heat up a can of soup or
warm up something in the microwave or make a sandwich.  (This works better
if someone did go pick up bread).  Usually no one starves.

When can it be bad for me and my arthritis?  Usually when I put off
something I need to do.  Not getting a doctors appointment made because its
just one too many things to do.  Putting up taking some of my medicine
because I know its going to make me feel like crap the next day.  Even
though I know it makes me feel better in the long run.  Putting off steps
that would make things easier.  Like getting a safety rail in the bathtub.
Putting off getting help around the house.  Putting off that new car that
would be easier to get in and out of.  Putting off just plain being nice to
myself even if I don't feel like I deserve it.  Putting off admitting that I
really can't do something anymore, or that I need help.

As far as managing my procrastination, I've never been much good at that.
Not even before I had arthritis.  I always worked better under deadline
pressure before.  Trouble is, I could always find the energy to get things
done on deadlines before.  I could stay up all night to finish something and
still do a good job.  Those days are long gone.

Jo