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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

November 1, 2016

Regaining Focus Through Writing

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Fall Leaves in North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains

I’ve had a serious problem with my ability to focus lately. Well, let’s face it, it hasn’t been just lately. I’d say for the past 5 years or so my focus has been off, but it has really been magnified recently.

I have had the hardest time focusing long enough to sit down and check / respond to emails, write blog posts, schedule social media for the blog, be organized with banking, invoicing, and other tasks.

In addition, this week I locked my keys in the car twice, left my purse in the lunchroom at the grade school, forgot to take my daughter to volleyball practice, and left the stove burner on for an hour while I took a meal to a neighbor with cancer. 

Needless to say, this lack of ability to focus is really interfering with my life. It has been so frustrating to me, as a normally organized, somewhat together person, to feel like I’m losing my mind. I’ve tried essential oils, fish oil, meditation, cognitive exercises and more. I’ve gotten advice from friends in the know and now need to focus long enough to implement some of that advice. (I’m scheduling an appointment with a recommended physician tomorrow.)

Because one of my challenges has been focusing long enough to write a blog post – which is a pretty important issue considering this is my job – I decided what better way to combat that issue than to accept the NaBloPoMo challenge. NaBlogPoMo is “National Blog Post Month” to write one blog post every day throughout the month of November. Crazy, right? I need to work as hard on exercising this part of my brain as I do my body because if I don’t I have a feeling I’m going to fall so deeply behind I won’t be able to get out of it.

So bear with me, join me, and commiserate with me on the joys of getting older and losing our minds. If you’ve had  similar “lack of focus” experiences and have tips or advice, I’d absolutely love to hear from you!

Also, just to be clear…I’m still keeping with my Slow Blogging Movement manifesto. These blog posts won’t be your typical Dine & Dish posts, but posts to challenge me to simply, write. It’s what I’ve got to do.

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Filed Under: Life, NaBloPoMo, Previous Tagged With: focus, life, mental health, nablopomo, Writing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alana says

    November 2, 2016 at 5:20 am

    I thought it was just me. I also have a lot less focus than I used to. I think it is a combination of online life and aging. I also feel my short term memory is getting worse. Scary stuff. I have no tips for you – I could use some tips myself.

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 2, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      Hopefully we can both figure it out and find a solution!

      Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    November 2, 2016 at 6:48 am

    Good luck! I would love to read your “free writing”…

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 2, 2016 at 2:10 pm

      You are so sweet for reading. Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Haley M. says

    November 2, 2016 at 6:48 am

    *Claps hands together* Yay more D&D! I always love November because everyone fuels their creativity so much right before the holidays. I don’t have the fortitude to participate this year, but I’ll be tuning in for sure!!

    Reply
    • Kristen says

      November 2, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you so much, friend!

      Reply
  4. Pam says

    November 6, 2016 at 8:17 am

    I’m right there with you on the brain fog. I was reading an article this morning and had to go back over a couple of paragraphs because I realized my mind had wandered off several times. And the article wasn’t boring. It was me. This posting every day isn’t going to be easy but I hope we all make it through! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Kelly Fedge DuBose says

    November 7, 2016 at 6:16 pm

    I love your honesty. I am in the same boat regarding focus. I even asked my doctor if he thinks I am ADHD. I don’t like to taste of coffee so I avoid it but when I feel indulgent I head to Starbucks for a ” Pink Drink” made with tea and coconut milk. Somehow it helps me focus. I am not sure if it is the caffeine or just the pampering!

    Reply

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happiness  HAPPINESS

I believe that in order to live a happy life, you have to make happiness happen through implementing simple things that make you happy into every day. Here are a few of the things that bring me happiness - I hope they do you too.

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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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E is for...Excitement!
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There’s a lot of excitement in Kansas City as our beloved @chiefs head back to the Super Bowl this weekend! #runitback 🏈
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It’s so strange because winning the super bowl last year was the last “normal” thing that happened before the pandemic hit. We went from a city full of excitement to shutting down and sheltering in place. Maybe when we win and bring the trophy home this year, it’ll be the start of something great. Let’s hope!
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Who are you rooting for Sunday? Chiefs, Buccaneers or tacos? 😂
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#chiefskingdom #superbowl2021 #kcchiefs #patrickmahomes #tattooideasforgirls #gochiefs #gameday🏈 #kimklassen_innercircle #eisfor #excitingthingstocome #excitingtimes #backtobackchamps
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D is for... Dreary (and Dog)
February has always been my least favorite month. I have a special name for this month that may start with another not so nice F word...🤭.
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In Kansas, the sun usually doesn't shine that often, it's cold, and just kind of gray and blah.
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My indoor jungle makes me happy though...especially this space in my office. Houseplants almost makes me forget we’re in the “F” month 😂.
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Also, my dog (my favorite d word) would not sit still for a picture when I had my tripod set up, but I finally caught her sitting on her bed and had to catch a picture with my phone. Swipe and you’ll see she is much overdue for a haircut.
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#disfor #houseplantdecor #leafy #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantslover #plantsmakemehappy #houseplantlove #houseplantlovers #houseplanthoarder #houseplantsmakemehappy #fiddleleaffig #indoorplantsdecor @kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle
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C is for Coaching, Coffee and Crystals! Lots of C words today. My @rockyourhappy coaching practice has been the best thing. I am so lucky to be working with really great clients who are doing the hard work and making big changes in their lives. It’s been the perfect fit for me and I know it’s what I am meant to be doing. Coffee, of course, is my favorite C word and Crystals…my daughters got me into the energy powers of crystals and it’s been really fun to learn all about them.
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My beautiful, custom, Rock Your Happy bullet journal is from @maisielaneco . Coffee/espresso is from @mistoboxcoffee Fabulous photography backdrop is from @poppybeesurfaces . Crystals are from a wonderful local shop here in town.
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There’s still time to join in the @kimklassen_innercircle photography group, where this months theme is A-Z. Join us!
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#flatlayphotography #flatlayoftheday #bulletjournal2021 #bulletjournals #crystalsofig #coffeephotos #coffeephotography #kimklassen_innercircle #prettylittleinspo #cisfor
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B is for Books! Are you a big reader? I wasn’t really a reader growing up. Well, I take that back. In junior high I plowed through the Sweet Valley High series (anyone else?) 😊 And when I was in elementary school I would bust my butt to get to the highest level in the SRA Reading box before anyone else. But I wasn’t a kid who you’d find with their nose in a book, ever.
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It wasn’t until I was an adult, and my kids began to sleep through the night, that I started reading for fun. Now, I read all the time and it’s one of my favorite pastimes. I love talking books with people and sharing recommendations. I really don’t watch TV, so books, especially right now, is my main form of entertainment.
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This is why for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photography challenge, I knew that Books would be my B. It’s my favorite B word (beating out Bullet Journaling, Bread, Blankets, Be Happy, etc).
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#simplepleasuresoflife #prettylittleinspo #bookcommunity #slowliving #cozyvibes #bookphotos #bookslove #beautyyouseek
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A is for Alone. I think one of the hardest things for me to get used to this past year is rarely being alone. My husband used to travel all the time. My school aged kids were in school all day while I worked. I’d even get several days a month in a hotel room by myself for my work travels. I like my alone time and it’s definitely something I miss.
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I’m easily distracted so you will usually find me working in complete silence…maybe just the hum of my essential oil diffuser and the sound of my fingers on my keyboard. I need the quiet and treasure silence.
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With that said, I’ve loved the extra time with my family - and we’ve all learned over the past several months how to give each other space and recognize when we need that space. As of today, my kids all are back to school full time in person 😢. Nick is still working from home and will be for the time being, but now the aloneness feels strange. I’m sure we’ll get used to this “new normal” yet again!
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This month in @kimklassen photography Inner Circle, we’re tackling the alphabet, with an A-Z photography challenge (interpreting that however we see fit). If you want to join us, check out this wonderful community of photographers at @kimklassen_innercircle 📷.
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#picturesofme #talesofthemoment #kimklassen_innercircle #homeishere #beautyyouseek #alonebutnotlonely #lightstreaks #itsthelittlethings #cozyliving
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