I can't write this article. Here at Odyssey, creators are asked to write an article or create content once a week. A few hundred words once a week? Not hard, right? Except it is! It's too hard. Why? Here are five reasons I can't write this week's article.
1. I can’t even pick a topic. I’ve typed up several ideas, and they range from serious to silly. The vegan controversy. Why Disney’s Cinderella is underrated. I’ve made lists, even begun drawing flowcharts. I have literally 22 topics waiting to be developed. That’s 20 more than I had about 2 hours ago. Why you should never have children. Five times it’s OK to forget someone’s name. Still, none of them feel right. I don’t feel like I can do them justice, or I run out of thoughts on the subject. Five reasons to go to that thing you got invited to. Writer’s block.
2. I am not a writer. I mean, I’m writing, but I’m not a professional. I couldn’t even keep up with the blog I attempted two years ago. I did fine in English classes; I don’t remember having too many grammar issues, but it’s not like I won any awards. Congratulations, you got a passing grade on that essay about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
3. I’m so hungry. You know when you’re trying to focus on something, but you’re thinking about your stomach? Maybe it’s talking to you a little bit? When was the last time I ate? A few hours ago? I should probably eat something. Otherwise I won’t be able to concentrate. I’ll produce better work if I just eat a quick snack. Should I eat the pistachios? Or toast? Do we have any leftovers? Maybe I just need a cup of tea. Nope, I just found the leftovers.
4. I’m so tired. I have a full time job, so I worked today. It’s not like it’s that hard, most of the time. It involves customer service, so you never know what you’re going to get. I’m usually asleep by now. I guess it’s only a couple hours past my bedtime, but my eyelids are drooping. I’ve been at my laptop for a while, that always does it. You’re looking at the bright white page on the screen and concentrating. You start concentrating so hard on all those topic ideas and you forget to blink. You’re eyes get dry and maybe your vision gets a little blurry. Feels great.
5. I’m a master procrastinator. That’s right, my article is due tomorrow. So of course, I’ve reverted back to my old college habits of staying up late to finish something I had at least a week to complete. Why is that? I know I have to work tomorrow, so I have to finish this article tonight. Why did I watch that episode of Call the Midwife instead of writing? I should know better. I did this so many times in college. Sure, everything turned out fine, but I probably could’ve done better if I had started earlier and put more effort in. I guess I'll probably get by. Remember that essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein?
