How not to procrastinate -Just Do It !

Okay here is a big confession - I think I am the biggest procratinator in the world!
I have big plans, tasks, ideas. I also know I am capable of doing them. But then, I just can't get myself to start them, or stop them midway. Even small simple chores.
Distractions. Big time !!
I have to dissect this. At the end of the day the procrastination only leaves me guilty and more often than not disgusted and ashamed at myself.
What is it?

#Does instant gratification score more over long term happiness?
# Self control is below zero?
# Or is it perfection or a fear of failure? Do I expect too much of myself, that I am even afraid to start?

How do I go about tackling this . It is becoming a habit, a whirlpool that I am getting sucked into. Unless I consciously pull myself out of it, I might get sucked in.
Okay, so let me start with a few quick things.

# Set  a miniscule set of goals each day. Could be something like sorting just a small section of clothes (maybe even just the lingerie), or making sure I set aside ten minutes to sow those coriander seeds I have been meaning to forever.
# Break down big tasks into small achievable tasks. That way it seems more doable and less daunting.
# Turn off temptations. Maybe switch off wifi for the amount of time I have set to work. Turn off the notification sounds from all messengers/ social media/ email services etc.
# Some tasks like daily chores which do not require any creativity can be set to a timer. That way I will work to achieve a self set deadline.
# Set reminders and alarms for taking medicines/ exercise or any others however mundane or small, but is getting put off or forgotten
# Do something different in between tasks to set off boredom.

Hopefully these techniques help me. Right now I am happy I wrote this and didn't put it off. Yayy! One goal of the day achieved :-)

For now let me "Just do it, and then sit back and wonder, "how did I manage to do it?" " !!

A Good Day

Mornings - 

Hectic, frenzied, crazy. Bathrooms always occupied. The kitchen warm and smelling of breakfast. Crisp newspaper. Hot tea. School uniforms.Ironed, hot, fresh. Innocent prayers. Bags , shoes, lunchboxes packed. Tears wiped. Smiles. Hugs.Children packed. The husband packed. 

I love mornings. What's not to love about them. Routine- It is comforting.

Silence. Can hear all the voices and noise in the head now.

The wait before the kids are back from school. Till then it's me and the voice. Be kind to me today. My voice. Let's be good to each other.
Make Peace.

Letting go

I have decided to blog often, if not frequently. I am not proud of the way I write and it has taken me a while to actually get to this "task". Yes, as of now, that is how I am going to take it forward. A project in hand. If I don't start today, I am sure a year from now, I going to look back to this day, and wish that I did.
No more regrets. All my outpourings, my blah-blahs, my honest and dishonest opinions, my not so great humorous tales, reviews, and all the dramas of day to day life is going to be all over this page.
I also hope to improve on my articulation skills along the way. But overall, this is going to be my space, where I can just be me.
Take for instance, today I was thinking of how hard it is to let go. Letting go of old habits , a cherished dream or a dear friend. Its always difficult. But I have to overcome the fear of the unknown, and step out of my comfort zone.
There is a beautiful and bright world out there, I'd like to believe. I just wish I can carry the courage in my heart to take that first step. I will know then, even if I failed, I tried. I will pick myself up, and try again.
So here I am letting go of my fear. I will pick that phone up tomorrow and call the car driving school :)

Spring is here again

 I sit here staring at the screen in front of me. My fingers are hovering over the keyboard for quite a while before I start typing some random words into the text box.
This post is not about anything. It is not  enlightening or inspiring or even informative.
It is just a few black alphabets coerced to align themselves to form some semblance of sentences.
The structure is right. The sentences do not deviate much from grammar.Yet, of what use is this?
Does everything need to have a purpose, a deeper meaning? Does every story need a plot? Can't beautiful vivid tales be spun with no sudden twist or turn?
Anyway, this post is for me. These random , arbitrary collection of words have somehow managed to convey a deeper purpose to me. That, I should begin now. A new beginning .I have songs to sing.
I will sing everyday.

Cobwebs

A room shrouded in mystery
The doors have been locked
A long long time
Not a ray of sun, nor a waft of breeze dare enter .
Chaos and clutter everywhere

Here- Rubbish, garbage and filth, fungus and mould.
There- A few uncherished dust coated gems, long forgotten
A fine carpet of dust on the floor
Bears no footprints
Shelves and cabinets -Unmarked and Mislabelled
A pain to wade through

The room cries for attention
 Goes back to sulking, getting none
From the irresponsible home maker.

Today I
Unlock the doors.Draw back the curtains.Throw open the windows.
Soak in the sun
Drink in the breeze.
Throw out the garbage, polish the gems.
Tear down the cobwebs.Sanitize.

Its my mind - my space.
It deserves to be sunny, airy and have lots of room for - ME.

Seeing double ! Photo feature of the week

Captured in a rare moment of  extreme cooperation from Shri. :)

I think, she was distracted by her own reflection, in letting me click away to glory, without a whimper or a scowl! The young lady is quite happy with the results too !!

Navratri Puttu Recipe

Another Navaratri, has come and gone.Not one, not two but nine days and nights of gaiety and piety.
The tastes of the variety of sundal prasadams ,smells of jasmine and the chants from Lalitha Sahasranamam are still wafting in the breeze.
And before they get swept away from my limited memory cache, I want to record this very tasty snack which is usually offered to the Goddess on a Navaratri friday.Its a sure-fire hit with kids and all age groups.

This is my mother in law's version of making the traditional puttu, and it is so wonderful and tasty, that I am here to share the recipe.I will be saying it in as many pictures as words, so you can have a clearer understanding of the process.
Ingredients

• Rice flour - 1 cup
• Jaggery (crushed) - 1 cup
• Elaichi powder - 2 tsp
• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Cashew nuts
• Coconut grated - 2 tbsp
• Salt - 1 pinch
• Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp 

Process
1. Dry roast the rice flour in a heavy bottomed kadai , using medium heat( You can also use raw rice, which can be dry roasted and powdered in a mixer) till it turns golden.Allow to cool
2.In a separate vessel boil some water, adding a pinch of salt  and turmeric powder to it.
3.Add the water to the rice flour slowly (sprinking should be enough), stirring all the while.It should result in a damp powder, like bread crumbs. You may find lumps,which can be sieved to give a uniform texture.
4.In a clean muslin cloth ( a south Indian veshti cloth cut to the size of a scarf will do), add the flour, and tie it up loosely like a bundle and place it to steam in a pressure cooker( in idli plates or a steamer) for about 10 mins.Do not use the cooker weight.
5.When done, remove from cooker and decrumble it, remove lumps (can be seived again) and keep aside to cool.The resultant texture is fluffy and grainy.It should flow freely when allowed to fall from the hand.
6.Meanwhile add the crushed jaggery to 1/2 cup water, and heat it till it dissolves.Jaggery usually has some fine grit,which should be removed.Filter the jaggery water, and place it back on the stove.
8.Heat the jaggery syrup till it reaches the required consistency.i.e As the syrup starts to thicken , drop a bit of the syrup into a small bowl of water .The syrup should soilidify and can be rolled into a small ball.Try dropping the ball back into the water, and you should hear a 'clang' sound.
9.Now add the rice flour to the jaggery syrup, mixing all the while.Its better to ask someone to help, in adding the flour while you concentrate on mixing it thouroughly to form a homogeneous mixture.(Before you start mixing, it would be wise to keep some of the syrup aside for mixing later, if required)
10.Fry the cashews and grated coconut in ghee.Add the cardomum powder, cashews and grated coconut.

Delicious puttu is ready.Can be stored for about 4 days.It is extremely nutritious, and very tasty, though it can be quite a laborious process for first timers.
More to come on the Navarthri magic this year.Hopefully I dont get lathargic and do it by the next  year navarathri!