it's never too late to start again

Baderitas by Lady May Pamintuan on Flickr.

It's me and my books against this world.

Make a list of the steps in the process of doing your thing; allow your brain to pre-game fucking off by rotating those steps and banging them around like an octopus with a shape sorter so that when you actually encounter the mild annoyance it knows that the triangle will also fit into the square hole.

Trade annoying tasks with a friend. I'll transfer my domain to a different registrar if you call your doctor and make an appointment (you both win!)

Have fucking-off tasks handy that are related to the main task you're avoiding. I don't want to look at that thing right now, I don't like that thing no sir, I shall simply look at this peripheral thing that will help me at a later stage of the thing.

Know which distractions are absolute poison for certain kinds of activities and plan to avoid them, for instance I am Not Allowed to listen to podcasts right now because a lot of my activities are writing and I can't write while listening to podcasts. Podcasts can come back when my tasks are mending and yard work. My brain can fuck off and write a distracting list on tumblr but it cannot start a video or turn on a podcast.

Ask yourself what about the task is pinging your avoidance - I figured out that what was making me hiss at this project was needing to create a new account when I already have an old account (adding to the old account would be more expensive than creating a new account and I can't keep the old account with the new information). I have a password manager; remembering passwords and keeping track of accounts isn't a problem, it is okay to create a new account, brain. Calm own.

Spend your fucking off time making a chore chart (this works best if making checklists and charts is fun for you). I am not doing the task but I am organizing the list in a fun way that I will get to check off with my scented highlighters or my gold star stickers.

On food and groceries:

How to Shop for Groceries like a Boss

Why Name Brand Products Are Beneath You: The Honor and Glory of Buying Generic

If You Don’t Eat Leftovers I Don’t Even Want to Know You

You Are above Bottled Water, You Elegant Land Mermaid

You Should Learn To Cook. Here’s Why.

On entertainment and socializing:

The Frugal Introvert’s Guide to the Weekend

7 Totally Reasonable Ways To Save Money on Cheap Entertainment

Take Pride in Being a Cheap Date

The Library Is a Magical Place and You Should Fucking Go There

Your Library Lets You Stream Audiobooks and eBooks FOR FREEEEEEE!

What’s the Effect of Social Media on Your Finances?

You Won’t Regret Your Frugal 20s

On health:

How to Pay Hospital Bills When You’re Flat Broke

Run With Me if You Want to Save: How Exercising Will Save You Money

Our Master List of 100% Free Mental Health Self-Care Tactics

Why You Probably Don’t Need That Gym Membership

On other big expenses:

Businesses Will Happily Give You HUGE Discounts if You Ask This Magic Question

Understand the Hidden Costs of Travel and Avoid Them Like the Plague

Other People’s Weddings Don’t Have to Make You Broke

You Deserve Cheap, Fake Jewelry… Just Like Coco Chanel

3 Times I Was Damn Grateful for My Emergency Fund (and Side Income)

When (and How) to Try Refinancing or Consolidating Student Loans

The Real Story of How I Paid Off My Mortgage Early in 4 Years

Season 2, Episode 2: “I’m Not Ready to Buy a House—But How Do I *Get Ready* to Get Ready?”

The Most Impactful Financial Decision I’ve Ever Made… and Why I Don’t Recommend It

On buying secondhand and trading:

Almost Everything Can Be Purchased Secondhand

I Am a Craigslist Samurai and so Can You: How to Sell Used Stuff Online

The Delicate Art of the Friend Trade

On giving gifts and charitable donations:

How Can I Tame My Family’s Crazy Gift-Giving Expectations?

In Defense of Shameless Regifting

Make Sure Your Donations Have the Biggest Impact by Ruthlessly Judging Charities

The Anti-Consumerist Gift Guide: I Have No Gift to Bring, Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum

How to Spot a Charitable Scam

Ask the Bitches: How Do I Say “No” When a Loved One Asks for Money… Again?

On resisting temptation:

How to Insulate Yourself From Advertisements

Making Decisions Under Stress: The Siren Song of Chocolate Cake

The Magically Frugal Power of Patience

6 Proven Tactics for Avoiding Emotional Impulse Spending

On minimalism and buying less:

Don’t Spend Money on Shit You Don’t Like, Fool

Everything I Know About Minimalism I Learned from the Zombie Apocalypse

Slay Your Financial Vampires

The Subscription Box Craze and the Mindlessness of Wasteful Spending

On saving money:

How To Start Small by Saving Small

Not Every Savings Account Is Created Equal

The Unexpected Benefits (and Downsides) of Money Challenges

Budgets Don’t Work for Everyone—Try the Spending Tracker System Instead

From HYSAs to CDs, Here’s How to Level Up Your Financial Savings

Season 2, Episode 10: “Which Is Smarter: Getting a Loan? or Saving up to Pay Cash?”