So I have been a little uninspired these past couple days...well, let's be real, for the past week and a ...half? Yes, it is Wednesday and technically the middle of a new week...so yes, for a week and a half. And yes, this is my ADHD kicking in. I am hyper-focusing on something completely different from what I am supposed to be focusing on. Which is writing an informative, educational, and entertaining blog post on…something.
Right. So, while my brain continues to refuse to cooperate on that front, you’ll be happy to know I have at least been doing my due diligence trying to pull myself out of these little downward time spirals (read: sitting on my butt doomscrolling). My saved library of productivity hacks, time-management tips, and focus tricks is getting impressive. I've even watched more than 10 seconds of some of them. Instagram also sold me on Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman, and I splurged on the audiobook so I could keep my hands productive while I listen.
I am sure it is amazing. Ugh.
Where was I going with this? Oh yes, according to the collective 2.45 minutes of productivity hack videos I have to watch…I need to make my bed every morning, do my dishes every night, and try to do one hard thing every day. Which means doing something I know I need to do to create forward momentum, but keep putting off because it takes time and thought away from staring into the deep abyss.
Today’s hard thing is writing a blog post.
……
……
……
I am really distracted. The candle on my desk smells amazing.
You may recall me mentioning in a past post the super-cute glass pumpkin candle holders I found. I ordered them. They are perfect for fall. And as I have said before, I am not particularly interested in making everything smell like pumpkin spice just because it is autumn, but a caramel apple scent sounded kind of cool, so I ordered that too.
In bulk.
Normally I am more circumspect about purchasing untried scents in bulk. You never know when you’re getting a dud. But fall was fast approaching, so I took the gamble. When the fragrance arrived and I was underwhelmed, I wasn’t exactly surprised. But since I had already made the purchase (in bulk), I made my sample candle anyway. I like to think of myself as a stubborn optimist. Like, if I just trust in the process, it has to work. And if it doesn’t, that is what chocolate is for.
Candle Log...
Day 1: Meh. Still can’t really smell the caramel apple. Put the lid back on.
Day 4: I can sort of smell the apple now, but the caramel is totally missing. But, does it smell better when burning? Let’s find out.
Not really.
Well. Great.
Put the lid back on.
Day 5: I learned something I probably should have paid more attention to before lighting the candle. Turns out candles need to cure. The wax keeps settling for a week or two after it looks done, and the fragrance doesn't fully lock in until it does. Light it too early and it barely smells like anything. So, basically, I was sniffing a toddler and expecting a grown-up. Put the lid back on.
Days 6-13: Did not touch it. Stared at it. Did not touch it.
Day 14: That did it. It smelled exactly like a caramel apple: sweet apple, warm caramel, the whole thing. The hot throw (how it smells when lit) was enormous. I could smell it throughout the house. Apparently the candle is fine. I just needed to stop messing with it.
Day 16: When I walked into my office this morning, the cold throw (smell when not lit) was just sitting there being quietly delicious. I am burning it now. This candle is amazing. I am obsessed.
There is probably a life lesson in there somewhere. And I will probably ignore it. Because I got distracted.