I have the want but not the desire.

[lebhuntfish]

As the title says, I want to go out and work on my bows and such. But the mood isn't there. I work out of my garage for now and every day when I get home I think; it's nice out, I should go work on a bow. So I open the garage door and look at a few roughed out bows then some arrow shafts. Then I kinda frown and go in the house and shut the garage door. I plant my but on the couch and open PA on my phone. I look and read a bit  maybe make a post then get bored with that as well.
Maybe I'm having a bit of depression, don't know why I'm not in a bad mood or anything. I do have a lot of things going on right now though to. My wife is starting a new job as a traveling nurse on the first of the next month. She will be gone for 13 weeks at a time but it's something she always wanted to do. I need to get my shop started asap as well, building a 14x21 with a concrete floor. I have to help the family with cleaning out my grandmother's place tomorrow. I need to make 3 quivers. A set of arrows, do the finish work on 4 bows. Finish building my trade bow and rough out one from bradford pear. I need to go cut some Osage I've been putting off till it warmed up. Build a quilt rack for my sister in law and 3 leather cigarette pack holders. Oh and work on the remodeling were doing on the house. If I get time I need to fix my band saw and order some sanding belts. Do the maintenance on my lawn mower and clean up around the yard.

I could use a little shot of inspiration I guess. Maybe about 4 clones so I could go fishing a day too. Rant over I guess, Patrick

[sleek]

Its called being burnt out. I get that way about twice a year for a month or two. Best thing to do? Nothing. Dont do anything with bows until you feel like it again or they wont come out nice. If your in a hurry though do some prep work like chasing a ring... thats harmless, and lets you feel like you actually accomplished something.  Today all I did was remove some bark and stand some nice staves in a corner for later use.

Hey, come down to my place and lets do some fishing. Buddy has a 21' bass boat, aint too hard to talk him into using it either. If nothin else sit on the shore and shoot the breeze.  Maybe even do some shooting who knows?

[jeffp51]

Patrick you are suffering the same thing that a lot of us do.  When there are so many things that need to be done, or ought to be done, it causes a bit of paralysis in the decision making.  Start with something small.  You will feel like you have accomplished something.

[lebhuntfish]

Thanks fellas, I appreciate it! The fishing trip does sound like a good idea. A day away just to get out would be nice. Patrick

[le0n]

it never hurts to ask for help for the things that aren't fun to do.

acquaintances are invaluable for tasks of that nature. some of the best times i've had in life were when i was helping someone with work that HAD to be done or when they were helping me out in similar situations. sure, the work sucked, but the experiences were great. and in the end, everyone felt like they'd accomplished something.

e.g., ask around; someone might need some help with their own yard work. in return, they can help you with yours.

as stupid as it sounds, i used to cut the neighbors grass at the exact same time he was cutting mine. we laughed while doing it, as did our wives because they thought we were crazy, but before we knew it, our yards were done and i actually felt like i had helped someone.

those pieces of wood will call you back when they're ready

[JW_Halverson]

as stupid as it sounds, i used to cut the neighbors grass at the exact same time he was cutting mine. we laughed while doing it, as did our wives because they thought we were crazy, but before we knew it, our yards were done and i actually felt like i had helped someone.

That happens with my neighbor and I with snow shoveling. We end up doing the whole block, both sides!

[Del the cat]

Yeah, we all get like that.
I'm not very good at doing nothing... but sometimes I'll just walk round the garden or in the woods. Sit and look at the leaves blowing on the Eucalyptus... heck sometimes I'll even listen to my wife for a few minutes
Pick up a book (usually TBB) after a while I'll go and tinker with something. Nothing like a day off to get you wanting to start up.
My pet hate is if I'm at work and there's nothing to do, maybe waiting on a delivery or something... I can't abide enforced idleness.
BUT Idleness of your own choice, that's something to be savoured once in a while.
Or maybe watching JW mow your grass
Get yourself on that fishin' trip!
Del

[RidgeRunner]

One problem that a lot of us Self Reliant types have is:
It is far easier to start a project than it is to finish one.

After a while that are unfinished projects all over.
Then the reality of "How long is it going take to finish all of these projects" sets in.

Find the smallest project in the shop and finish it.
Then start on the next smallest.

And DONT start any new ones until the shop is empty.

David

[Pat B]

Patrick, sometimes you just have to put it all down and walk away. kind of like re-booting your computer.

[JoJoDapyro]

If you push it it will be worse. I'm the same way. Sometimes I binge and work 10 hours straight. And sometimes like you, I go upstairs, look at a project and go back down stairs and do nothing.

[lebhuntfish]

Thank you everyone, you guys are all great. I appreciate all of the support. I think the fishing trip is for sure on the list.
I had a bit of relief, someone said to try just doing the simplest task. So I called a buddy I went to college with that does concrete work. He is going to come by Wednesday and tell me what I need to get started on my shop floor and foundation. He also said we could trade his work for mine. I'm going to put a new AC unit in his house for him. This was a big relief because where I grew up we just built what we wanted and didn't have to worry about city codes and permits and inspections. Patrick

[YosemiteBen]

Come visit Yosemite and go for a hike! You can stay at my house.

[sleek]

Good grief with an offer like that Ben,  im feelin kinda burnt out too..... !

[lebhuntfish]

Man Ben that would be awesome, I would love to see Yosemite! Be careful I may just take you up on that offer one day.

Now I have to see how far Yosemite is from my house! Patrick

[lebhuntfish]

Google says 1day and 2 hours to drive. I think that one would have to be a flight for me. Patrick