End of the Trimester

When I was in college every semester felt like torture. Once we got near the end of the semester I’d make a spreadsheet that had everything that was expected of me listed out. Every assignment, paper, exam, meeting, or anything else would be there, color-coded and with a due date assigned. A countdown of every day I had left would be at the top. I couldn’t wait for the spreadsheet to be clear.

Not kidding when I say I spent some evenings staring at the spreadsheet, just to pass the time while I waited for the end.

This last trimester of waiting for the baby has felt a bit like that. Everything needs to be completed. Not just baby stuff, everything. That household chore I’ve been putting off, the work project that’s behind schedule. It’s felt like I’ve not stopped rushing in weeks. Some folks will chalk it all up to nesting – I think it’s just good prioritization. When this baby comes I’m not going to give the time of day to anything else, so may as well settle it up now.

Just like how Accounting homework wasn’t going to touch my Christmas break.

It’s good that I’m gaining traction though. It’ll be a sprint to the end, but an effective sprint. What’s also been important is that I’ve gotten better at just saying no to a lot of things. Choosing not to do something is a decision and action combined into one – thinking you should do it, not doing it, and feeling guilty about it later is procrastination and really three actions that are all wastes of time.

Don’t be offended if you invite me to something and I reject it quickly. It’s just the end of the trimester and I’ve got a big test coming up.