Block Schedules

By Darcy Thiel

When you are a little (or a lot) OCD, you might like to live by lists. I have lists for everything. There is nothing more gratifying than deleting something off your list. I would say 95% of the time, I donΓÇÖt finish the list, but I usually come close.

On spurts where I have too much on my plate, I know completing the list is hopeless. I donΓÇÖt even set up the expectation in my head. I know a big chunk of the list is getting moved to the next day. The next day is already over-filled but itΓÇÖs getting another chunk of stuff anyway.

This last spurt has lasted a while. Because I know I have a tendency to be a workaholic, I also build things into the list to balance my life. The problem has been that many of the things that recharge me are not practical during a pandemic. All things added together, itΓÇÖs a sure-fire recipe for my ΓÇ£Treatment-Resistant DepressionΓÇ¥ to flare up.

Sigh.

Today I sat for a while just looking at the lists. You know youΓÇÖre in trouble when you spend more time rearranging lists than doing anything on them. I didnΓÇÖt do that today though, I just looked for themes. Ok, I did rearrange the lists, but that wasnΓÇÖt my endgame.

So IΓÇÖm trying block scheduling like they do in high schools now. I divided all the desired (and not-desired) tasks into categories. Then IΓÇÖm giving each category a block of time. There are a bunch, but some of them are work (thus this blog finally being written), the house, the yard, and yes! Personal care. IΓÇÖm figuring out even little things like having a cup of tea to somehow get my gas tank off of ΓÇ£EΓÇ¥ where it has been hovering for far too long.

You know that feeling when your gas light goes on and you know you need to stop soon so you donΓÇÖt end up stranded. If youΓÇÖre like me, you hope you get to that one gas station you really like so you push the envelope a bit.

ThatΓÇÖs the feeling IΓÇÖve had inside for over a month now. IΓÇÖm on ΓÇ£EΓÇ¥ and IΓÇÖm not sure if IΓÇÖm going to make it to the station in time before the car dies. ItΓÇÖs an awful, anxious feeling.

There is a silent retreat weekend coming up for me. I donΓÇÖt know when/where it will be, but itΓÇÖs on my ΓÇ£self-careΓÇ¥ block. It will kill me to be alone and silent, but I think itΓÇÖs the surgery I need.

So hereΓÇÖs to block scheduling. At least for the weekend. IΓÇÖm hoping it has good results for this Type A, OCD, Workaholic, Treatment-Resistant Depression, worn out girl.