Friday, January 13, 2012

Too Many Things

I've found I can't just concentrate and do one thing at a time anymore. If I'm watching TV, I have to have my banjo or guitar out and try to figure out songs. Cuz that makes for some great practicing... If I'm reading a book, I also have music in the background and I'm probly making a CD. Even right now, I'm in the middle of writing a document for work, listening to music, doing bank statement things and a blog post. Why can't I just do one thing? What did I do to shrink my attention span and how can I get it back? I can't even just sit down and read a book anymore. I have to have things going on in my head, in the background and I'll stop every few chapters just to find something new to do for a minute. I need to slow my brain down.
How?
Does anyone else have this problem?
I blame technology. I'm so used to getting things so quickly, that now I can't just slow down and wait.

Also, I keep having dreams about TV shows I've never watched. It's weird. I don't know anything about the show, so how can I dream about it? And why am I dreaming about TV shows anyway?

16 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I used to not be able to watch TV, without the laptop on my lap. But, I've slowly weaned myself off. And I like it.

CB said...

I have the opposite problem - the older I get I do better just concentrating on one thing. It drives me nuts sometimes because I have so much to do.
I guess the grass is always greener.

Emily said...

You are not alone. As I read your post, I am listening to music, have a show paused on Netflix (which I was taking a break from to check blogs), have my embroidery project next to me and just realized that it's 5:30 and I first sat down here at 1:00. I think I need to go for a walk to pick up my mail or something. Yikes!

Sara Waldron said...

I'm impressed. Your brain can certainly handle more than mine! I'm usually content to use a quiet minute to just read a book or check e-mail/blogs when I SHOULD be practicing piano or flute, reading to kids, exercising, folding laundry, or being more productive on the internet- like doing family history or something.

wendy said...

now, the dreams about tv shows, I have NO CLUE what's going on with you there.
Unles...it is preparing you for a reality show???? tee,hee

I DO think technology is to blame for the BUSY minds. We want to much info, to fast, afraid we'll miss something...I don't know.

Reminded me of a book I have about the AMISH...where they tell you to FOCUS on the ONE thing you are doing.
If you are doing dishes, concentrate on that and "enjoy" that.
Don't be thinking about your next task.
Give meaning and worth to the things you do.
(in a nutshell)

LisAway said...

I don't think that's a concern crease on your head, I'll bet it's a "trying to figure out what is going on all the time" crease. You may feel you can handle it all, or that you kind of need to keep so many things going at once, but your poor forehead is taking the brunt of it. :)

And dreaming about shows you've never seen? Yeah, that is weird.

Mom of 12 said...

I think multitasking is a great skill! That dream thing is a little weird though...
Sandy

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Well all of it seems totally normal. Except dreaming about TV shows. Are they good ? Maybe you should contact a producer.

I think we are way to used to textnology.

Smart Helm said...

I like the feeling of getting 2 things done at the same time but ur right, probably not very productive. Like starting a load of laundry and then jumping in the shower... NOT a good use of hot water, ie the lack there of.

Try dreaming about book premises and vampires. It worked for Stephanie Meyer!

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

Welcome to my world...! I do this every single second!

Lara Neves said...

I totally blame technology! I can't read a book anymore without taking a FB on my phone break after nearly every chapter. It's really kind of sad...

annie valentine said...

Oh, my friend, you poor thing. You have Tumuchkraponthuhbranetosis. Get yourself a sewing machine, best therapy out there.

Camille Hoggard said...

I have a solution to your problem...have 4 kids and be 7 months pregnant. Trust me, you won't want to do much!
If you want, I can lend the 4 kiddos to you from time to time! ;)

Connie said...

You're lucky you can remember your dreams! Nothing wrong with multi tasking. It just means you're a woman. I think the most multi tasking my hubby does is eat while watching TV!

Unknown said...

enjoy being able to multi task while you are young. mine has up and left me, i'm lucky if i can finish one thing at a time! and why are you dreaming about unseen tv shows?

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

I've had the same issues. I'm trying to simplify. But it's really complicated to keep things simple.