Want to Do Things but Not Starting?

Hey, my friend,

The weekend is here, and during the week, many of us think about all the things we want to do once we finally get some free time.

Maybe it is cleaning up a bit, going somewhere we have been wanting to visit, starting a new hobby, or simply doing something that feels meaningful or refreshing.

It all sounds very clear when we think about it ahead of time.

But when the weekend arrives, something else happens.

Instead of starting, we begin thinking too much about how to start.

We think about what to do first, how long it might take, whether we will have enough energy, and whether it will turn out the way we hope.

The more the mind thinks, the harder it feels to actually begin.

The day moves forward, and we end up feeling bad in the evening, even though we had the desire to do something good with our time.

This experience is called paralysis by analysis, my friend.

Many people go through it, especially on weekends when there is no set schedule to guide us.

And, it is not because we are lazy or unmotivated.

It is simply because the mind tries to plan everything at once, and that can make the start feel much bigger than it actually is.

A helpful way to move through this feeling is to focus on only the first small step and not the whole task.

For example, if you want to clean your room, instead of planning the whole cleaning process, just start by picking up the clothes on your chair and putting them in one place.

When we make the first step small enough, it becomes easier to begin. And once we begin, we can decide how much we want to continue, without pressure.

So, my friend, think of one thing you want to do this weekend.

And then think of the smallest step you can take toward it, and then let yourself go with the flow.

I hope you’ll try it.

Wishing you a wonderful, blessed, and peaceful day and weekend ahead, my friend.

That is it for today, and see you on Monday.

Take care,
Prasad Mairale
Petals of Positivity 🌸