Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Possible Explanations for Distractions


Isn't the WEB great, we can often self-diagnose ourselves without even having to see a doctor. (I'm kidding of course but, lately I feel like I have ADHD. I've never been diagnosed with it, but I'm sure I do have some form of it and always have.  I'm one of those people who thrives on routines, but every now and then I seem to hit a roadblock, and have trouble focusing.

They say some of the symptoms are:
  • “zoning out” without realizing it, even in the middle of a conversation.
  • extreme distractibility; wandering attention makes it hard to stay on track.
  • difficulty paying attention or focusing, such as when reading or listening to others.
  • struggling to complete tasks, even ones that seem simple.
  • (I say, these fall into that category as well....."staring out a window, or into space for what seems like hours on end." But let me not forget -- my favorite distraction -- staring, or holding at my beautiful granddaughter. -- I'm on vacation this week and spending time with her. (oh my is she a cutie and a good sleeper as well)
Well, what other reasons can I come up with for not posting a book review in (8) days, and day after day telling myself I have to catch up on book reviews for all those books I've read in the last (2-3 weeks).  It's overwhelming.

SO I thought if I at least blogged about what I read, and rated the books, I'd feel somewhat unburdened. Here are some of the books I read, but haven't reviewed:
Maybe next month I'll have my act together a bit more. But seriously, if I'm still scattered in June, I'm using this ADHD as the reason once again.

50 comments:

  1. Diane, first of all, you have the perfect reason to be distracted - Miss Stella! Who cares if you review every book? I don't think we do at all. Enjoy that baby. Enjoy your time off. Enjoy staring out the window and being a little fuzzyheaded. LOL

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  2. I agree, enjoy your time off! Sometimes it's more fun to keep reading then to stop and write!

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  3. Don't sweat the small stuff! If I had a beautiful new grandbaby I doubt I'd be too focused either.

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    1. Thanks for making it seem not as bad to feel scattered Kathy.

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  4. Diane, can you post this to my blog for me? I too am struggling to do anything blog related... hoping this ends soon but I'm just 'going with it'. The ebb and flow...

    Enjoy your Grand Daughter... that what really counts!

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    1. I know Mari, sometimes blogging feels too much like a job. We need to give ourselves permission to take a break.

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  5. Enjoy the time with your granddaughter - reviews can wait. I've got 6 to do, too, but seem to be on a blogging break this week.

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    1. JoAnn, glad you know when to take a break. I feel like I need to do that sometime soon.

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  6. I don't think many people can resist spending time with a new baby. Enjoy it and don't worry about anything else :-)

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  7. Haha, I fully understand wanting to hang out with your granddaughter!

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    1. She is fun to hold and stare out and babies smell so good:)

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  8. Enjoy that special baby girl. They grow up way too fast. My youngest grandchild is going to be 19 at the end of May. I can hardly believe it. Seems like just yesterday she laid in my arms while I rocked her to sleep.

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    1. They do grow up way too fast (and so did we for that matter). Feels like I was just in high school and that was 40 years ago..LOL

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  9. I've noticed new grandparents - actually, even not new grandparents, can get mighty distracted by grandchildren, whether or not they have ADHD! But gosh I know what you mean. Part of it is not being in our "salad days" I think too - the older we get, the harder it is to bring focus to any one thing for an extended period of time. Maybe because we know time is so fleeting?

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    1. Jill....so well said about focus as we get older -- very true.

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  10. Just say grandbaby - that's excuse enough for missing anything! I think we all have a bit of ADHD these days - too many gadgets to distract us.

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    1. Yup those gadgets are a blessing and a curse. Some days I say just (1) hour on the computer and then I'm back on again longer or checking email on the phone:(

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  11. I think you have a perfect reason to be distracted. Plus, reviewing books shouldn't be a burden. Just review the ones you want to -- that would be the ones you love or hate. We know you were reading the other books and we'll assume they didn't make you passionate.

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    1. You are right, reading should be fun, but sometimes it feels like the blog is pressure:)

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  12. Don't feel bad! I am easily distracted myself, and that is why I have such a hard time getting things done. It's crazy how much I tend to zone out when I need to get things done, and the pressure only makes things worse. Having a new grandbaby really is an acceptable reason to be distracted though!

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    1. Are you a procrastinator? I never was but tend to be now quite often:)

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  13. There is also spring fever... adds to the distraction this time of year. New baby doesn't help. Enjoy. :)

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    1. Hmmmm...for me, it's more than a seasonal thing sometimes, and it's not depression either.

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  14. I am so easily distracted these days. I am pretty good in the early morning, but after that... I am not real good at staying on task.

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    1. On work days, afternoons are the worst. I need caffeine immediately after lunch most days.

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  15. I've never felt so distracted as I have since I've hit my middle years. I think it is a symptom of something....

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    1. Oh that is true, it goes along with all the changes women go through in life. You are not alone.

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  16. I get distracted by bright shiny objects...
    I love your idea for getting some closure on unreviewed books, but I don't give numbers, so what would I list?

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    1. How about just "like it" or "it was ok" or "can't recommend"??

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  17. That somehow sounds a lot like me as well. Esp signing out when listening to someone!

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    1. Aths...yes that is a big on, and I'm especially guilty when someone drones on endlessly or talks very slow. I want to finish their sentences or excuse myself and walk away...LOL

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  18. I definitely think it's the time of the year...the end of Spring and the beginnings of summer are busier to me than even Christmas! Lots of weddings, graduations, retirements, births, and reminders of those we've lost within these special occasions. It's emotional for sure! I think our brains just get tired...I open my mouth daily and have no idea what I'm going to say, and sometimes that happens mid-sentence :p I think we just need to take time to rest our noggins and live life a little easier and slower if only for a few days...enjoy your granddaughter!!

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  19. I think we are on the same wave-length. I have those same symptoms. Have a wonderful time with your granddaughter. That's the best kind of play time, and thanks for that list.

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  20. Summer is on the way....my kids are more distracted and so am I!! Enjoy the time off from book reviewing.

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  21. Having a new grandbaby is more than enough reason to be distracted ~ you only have that first year once and oh my gosh i am finding out how amazing being a grandparent IS ~ Enjoy...and like Kathy said, Don't sweat the small stuff!

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  22. Yep, a new grandbaby would start anyone down the slippery slop of distraction. Sounds like a bad case of spring fever to me!

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  23. No apologies needed.. just glad you are able to enjoy the new wee one and shsre the joy with
    I'm impressed that you were able to get that much reading done. Have a wonderful summer.

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  24. I think I've got most of those symptoms too... As for writing book reviews, if you ask me, having finished reading a book is a little accomplishment already... esp. with a charming distraction like a cute granddaughter. Enjoy your time with your sweet granddaughter this week. Book reviews can wait. ;)

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  25. I think a new granddaughter qualifies as a valid excuse. Enjoy your new grandchild and the rest will take care of itself!

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  26. Wonderful news about your granddaughter! Wow. You'll have to tell us more!
    As for reviews, I sometimes write what I call 'book notes' - shorter versions of my book reports. And occasionally, I even write about several books in one posting. My personal thing with the blog is to note everything I read. I use it as a book journal. When I don't have the time or inclination to write a long post on one book, I use those alternatives.

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  27. Diane, it's easy to feel distracted: this is the age of distraction, created or at least abetted by technology. I'd never attempt to review or even present every book that I read! Too much work!! Congrats on your granddaughter. I am thrilled for you!

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  28. I am totally diagnosing myself with this too! Being sick last week was nice in a weird way as I was able to unplug without a second thought! I see though that you must have taken your meds because you did write a few reviews!

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  29. I wonder what my excuse is … I've got something like 25+ book reviews to write! That's crazy!

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