September always brings that back to school feeling for me. I was always the kid excited to shine my shoes and gather my books, learn what my new timetable would be. I craved the structures within which I would always end up rebelling and challenging, not because I was naughty but because I could often see–or wanted to find–another way through.  

I also loved the structures because they gave me some starting points. Even though I’d often choose my own – often more difficult – route to a conclusion of a project, I needed something to respond to.  

Since living with Long Covid for roughly 6 years and receiving an ADHD diagnosis I’ve found these ritual starting points even more necessary and at the same time more daunting. Despite turning 59 this September, I’m still faced with the ADHD dilemma of seeing a thousand possibilities and not always sure which one to embark on first. In days gone by, I’d have started several at once but now with limited energy, I have to be much more selective.  

So this month’s blog is written for the people like me who are boiling over with ideas, and trying not only to identify which one to get moving on but also where to pull the energy from to make it happen. I wrote this during one our Chronically Creative sessions. I hope it’s useful to some people.  

What Can I do Today? 

Is today a dreaming day? 
Is it a day of repair? 
Time to read or draw, 
Envision a show into existence? 

What CAN I do today? 
See past the pain blocks 
That make it all feel impossible  
(or too frightening) 

Make the choice 
Contribute the  
Next  
Most  
Obvious  
Thing 
The basic block of improvisation 

What Can I do Today? 
Why does it matter that I do it? 
Use delegation and sharing 
Maximise my impact in the world 
With tiny actions 
A spider at the centre of a benign web? 

What can I DO today? 
Rest is an action  
Rest is an action 
To rest is a verb 

Socialist energy – those who can, do 
Rest is a part of the music.  
Hope is optimism plus action 
I can dream 
I can listen 
I can bear witness 
I can plan 

Maybe I can write a funding application 
Maybe I shan’t. 

Maybe I can recover, 
See the world differently 
Challenge my own perception 
Accept my situation.  

What can I do TODAY? 
How important is it that it happens today? 

Can I shackle my  
Procrastination and make hay 
With the sun on my face?  

Can I Squirrel away some tasks 
Ready done for a today  
When nothing can happen. 

Can I Live within my limits 
Finally Know what a Day  
A Today is for me. 

What Can I Do Today? 
What Can I Do Today.