Chapter 1: The Cycle of New Beginnings

I thrive on the thrill of new starts. The anticipation that comes with initiating a fresh project invigorates me. There's something magical about a blank journal, the arrival of a new month, or being the first to step onto freshly fallen snow.

While I excel at launching new ventures, my challenge lies in seeing them through to completion. Over the years, I've initiated countless blogs—so many that I’ve lost track. From selecting themes and fonts to designing logos and banners, I relish every aspect of the creative process. I eagerly promote my new blog to friends and share it on social media, even crafting dedicated Pinterest boards. However, my enthusiasm often wanes, leading to a swift decline in engagement as the blog languishes in obscurity.

These once-promising sites fade into the background, devoid of any audience or success. My digital endeavors are paralleled by my crafting pursuits—my shelves are lined with yarn, and I possess numerous half-finished crochet projects, affectionately termed UFOs (unfinished objects). I’ve even operated a few Etsy shops, boasting titles like “homemade gifts” and “handcrafted with love.” The excitement of discovering a new pattern quickly turns to abandonment once I’ve made little progress.

I may have baby gifts ready for children who are yet to arrive, but a thriving business remains elusive. In addition, I have countless photographs waiting to be organized into albums, with the albums themselves collecting dust despite my ownership of them for years. My sons are now adults, and their baby books still lie unfinished, with precious memories hidden away in shoe boxes.

My culinary aspirations also suffer; I gather recipes and cookbooks filled with mouth-watering dishes that I never attempt to prepare. Sometimes I even buy special pans or unique spices for these recipes, only to let them go untouched.

This tendency to start but not finish extends to my writing endeavors as well. I’ve dabbled in novel writing but have never completed a single manuscript. My participation in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) over the years has yielded no tangible results.

Reflecting on this pattern, I’ve come to realize that I struggle with follow-through, especially regarding personal projects. When it comes to fulfilling the needs of my husband, children, grandchildren, or even my pets, I am diligent. However, my personal ambitions frequently get sidelined without a clear reason.

In my quest to understand this behavior, I discovered several potential causes for my unfinished tasks, including feelings of being overwhelmed, a phenomenon known as Acute Unfinished Projects Syndrome (which may relate to bipolar disorder, although I don't believe that applies to me), and the Zeigarnik effect, which suggests that unfinished tasks linger in our minds because they remain incomplete.

These observations all tie back to procrastination. While I may be mistaken, I don’t believe any of these explanations accurately describe my situation. Some theories suggest that perfectionism, a reluctance to end enjoyable experiences, and a tendency to dwell on fear of failure contribute to this issue. However, I suspect the real source of my frustration stems from my inability to complete projects rather than the other way around.

Can I change this behavior if I can’t identify its root? Do I need professional guidance to help me achieve my personal goals? Will I ever experience the satisfaction of finishing and sharing a book?

I wish I could conclude this reflection with a triumphant resolution, but, as you might have guessed, I’m still navigating these challenges.

If anyone has suggestions or insights on how to escape the cycle of never finishing projects for myself, I would be more than willing to hear them. While I may not always act on the advice, I’m open to listening.

The first video, "Lil Boosie - Set It Off ᴴᴰ + Lyrics," captures the essence of diving into new projects with energy and enthusiasm, paralleling the excitement I feel at the start of my own endeavors.

Chapter 2: Seeking Solutions for Completion

In Jeremy Camp's "Getting Started (Music Video)," the message resonates with my journey of initiating new projects, highlighting the importance of perseverance and seeing things through to the end.