Shiny Object Syndrome

by Posted on

by Julie, watching Perry Mason from the beginning in Somerville. Squirrel!

Shiny objects distract squirrels. Which is why, when distracted, some folks say “squirrel”. As if saying it aloud makes the distraction go away, or be manageable.

Would that were so.

To be honest, there is a lot going on in my life right now. I’m thinking of friends and family’s in Milton’s path. The November 5 election is distracting me. As the ED of Sisters in Crime, October is the board turnover, so I’ve been working on that. I’m teaching this semester, and when I read an article that may be good for class I start chasing it down. Family is coming and going and visiting. Birthdays abound. And then there’s the writing.

The writing. Sigh.

I’ve gone through dry spells of creativity, but not now. Now I have too many ideas bumping into each other. None of them have the gravitational pull to keep me focussed. Instead they’ve got me chasing shiny objects like art forgeries, Boston theater in 1890, cooking for large crowds, how much it costs to remodel a kitchen, and needlework patterns from the 1940’s.

Would that these would all gel into one idea, but instead they keep splintering.

More shinny objects.

“Squirrel!”

Nevermind that I hate squirrels (they are rats with nice tails), so every time I think of squirrels I think of con artists. Another shiny object with not even gravitational pull.

Hopefully my mind will quiet soon. Or one of these ideas will take over, and become worth chasing. Until then, bring on the shiny objects.

Friends, how do you control your distracted mind?

Unknown's avatar

Published by J.A. Hennrikus

One woman, three names, many books. As Julia Henry I wrote the Garden Squad series for Kensington. As J.A. Hennrikus I wrote the Theater Cop series, and as Julianne Holmes I wrote the Clock Shop series. I've been an arts administrator for my entire career, mostly in the performing arts. Currently I'm the ED of Sisters in Crime, a wonderful organization that promotes and supports crime writers. www.sistersincrime.org Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram! @JHAuthors

29 Thoughts

  3. When time allows and I get distracted, I head to my favorite place – the front porch. I either just sit there and listen to nature or take camera in hand and try to capture the critters that visit us daily. (I can literally say SQUIRREL. LOL) It takes my mind off of everything and makes me slow down to enjoy the simple things. Often while sitting out there I get a clear idea how to tackle that problem or at least get it organized to where it’s not so overwhelming. After a short spell (15-30 minutes), I’m ready to go back inside and get back to doing what needs to be done.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Like

  5. I’m laughing because I’m so the opposite. Call it perseveration or hyper-focus, it also has its disadvantages. My admin used to say to people when I didn’t greet them when I walked to my office in the morning. “Barbara isn’t mad at you. She just didn’t see you. She’s very focused.” I tried looking up animals that persevere, but got variously wolf, dog, rhino, boar, bull, and some disgusting kind of parasite that is supposedly the most resilient living thing on earth. None of those seem to fit the bill. Honey bees and ants were variously cited. I’ll take one of those.

    Like

  6. I find that I get more easily distracted when I am tired.

    Not a fan of squirrels since I can’t have flower boxes on my balcony since they keep digging them up.

    I thought the people yelling “squirrel” thing came from Up. The dogs in that movie were constantly doing it. At least, that’s when I started doing it and my inspiration.

    Like

  7. I can see my reactions to being distracted aren’t unique since two have already been mentioned. When it seems like a short-term problem, I go onto my balcony (as Kay goes onto her front porch) and deadhead flowers or do a bit of weeding, trying to blank out my mind. When the distraction still doesn’t settle down, I make a long, complicated list of everything I have to do–day, week, month (like Edith)–and then start with the first thing on the list. Ultimately, working steadily at something–anything!–is the only way I can pull it together.

    Like

  9. I go for a walk, preferably in the park or in a natural setting. I get so frustrated when everything seems to bombard me at once! Good luck finding your solution.

    Like

  10. I love how your mine works. Sounds like me. So I’ll add this wrench; do you find yourself bored if you only have one or two things going? Yep. We attract what we love, even if squirrely. (is that a word?)

    Like

  13. It a list person. I’ve also learned over the years that my depression can make it hard to focus, so a lot of the time, I just roll with it, keeping my fingers crossed that the situation will improve in time

    Like

Comments are closed.