[8abovefalling]

I have many interests such as crochet, painting, needlework, sewing, puzzles, writing, reading...... and my biggest obstacle is I tend to start on several projects, unrelated to each other, several books on different subjects/genres - I don't believe it's an attention issue but maybe lack in the ability to stay focused of one task before jumping to the next. I have tried putting some out of sight only my constantly whirring mind knows they lay hidden, waiting ...... it seem very difficult concentrating on one thing, unable to fully enjoy that task without thinking of all the others I'd like to finish. I have been told that I see the beginning (planning, purchasing supplies, etc.) and I see the end result - that I don't take the time to enjoy the process, the in-between. I have typed out a daily schedule that includes all the things I'd like to do in a day and shared it with my spouse and the response was too much. Anyone out there tend to follow similar patterns? Keep in mind I am bipolar II and I have been told this is a tendency like minds find frustrating at times.

[Marla500]

I do that sometimes and I think it is just to try to keep my mind engaged. sometimes I think if I start something new it will spark something and give me more energy. over time I have gotten used to not finishing everything, even sometimes throwing something out if it isn't working well and I can't take it apart to use the materials again. that was hard. I think it's ok to have several projects going at once, it does feel good to finish one though.

[Auntie2014]

I have had the same problem. The only way I can stay at my"projects" is to do a schedule but I do it differently. At times I need something to distract myself to keep panic attacks to a minimum. And to calm down from fashbacks.

I have a couple things that are "anytime projects" like journaling and audio books. Then I have other projects that I call "pick up projects". These things are things that have a start and a finish. Like designing quilts, painting a picture, some scrap book pages. recipe collections or photo editing.

What I do is assign a day to each of my current pick up projects. Lets say that Monday is my quilting day. I have my anytime projects that are available all of the time on Monday but I also have a quilting project that is just for Mondays. On Tuesday it is the same anytime projects and a Tuesday pick up project.

I only do a weeks schedule at a time. The next week Thursday might be my Quilt day. My only rules are that I only have 5 anytime projects going at one time. And No new projects till a pick up project is finished. Weekends are free days or what I call anything goes for an existing project only.

[hvert]

I have the same problem. It sometimes feels like I have a million interests. I'd be okay with that, but I too often start projects I never finish.

For hobby and reading projects, I pay close attention to whether or not I am enjoying the task/process. I've come to realize that while I may like the idea of basket weaving, for example, I actually hate the process and don't have enough patience for it. Before I start something, I try to think about whether or not I will actually like it.

For other projects, I really need to find a solution. I am very bad about starting household construction projects, getting overwhelmed, and not finishing them. I do the same thing with business projects -- I get it 95% done and then abandon it.

One other thing that helps me is to think of things in terms of 'What is the next thing that needs to be done on this project? How can I set that up so it is easy for me to do it?' I try to keep those to tasks that can be done in 30 minutes.

Auntie2014, I am curious - how much time do you devote to your pick up project of the day? I really like your schedule idea but worry I would wander off after an hour

[Auntie2014]

It depends on what is going on in my life & head at the time. Sometimes I can only stick with something for 15 minutes. Other times i can spend hours.
Knowing that I have another day set aside makes it easier to stop the project when i have other demands.

Think of it like a school schedule. First period Mon/Wed/Fri is Art
Tue/ Thu it is cooking. At the end of the period you know where you will go next and know when you will be in class the next time. (It might be a different time but will still be the same class on the next scheduled day)