Is it normal this is the main reason i hate being distracted?

So I’m an aspiring writer, but lately I’ve not had as much time to write ever since we got a dog. He’s mostly fine but I have to take him out sometimes, and it’s really annoying because the only way he signals he has to go is whining, and a lot of times he doesn’t even have to go and just wants to fool around outside.

What bugs me though is now I have to wait until night to get on my laptop and type because I keep running into this problem (of him whining as I’m trying to type). But here’s the thing that bugs me most, and why I think I could be narcissistic: I’m trying my absolute best to create something great, at the very least as good as I can make it, and I get really, REALLY pissed when anyone (not just my dog) starts making noise that distracts me when I’m getting really into it and think that I’m writing something great.

I’m not saying that I’m the greatest literary mind ever, but I often imagine those who were in my position. Can you imagine Shakespeare or someone about to write their most Iconic scene, but the get distracted because their annoying dog wants to fool around and get into trouble, or their annoying family members wanna shout about trivial bullshit, and that great scene is now forgotten because of that stupid shit!?

Maybe I’m getting too egocentric but I worry that any chance of my writing even ever being finished will be destroyed because of all of these distractions!

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Comments ( 15 )
  • KholatKhult

    Here’s the thing man, your dog didn’t choose to be your dog. Unless you have roommates that treat your pup with more love, you’re all he’s got.

    He just wants to enjoy what he enjoys, same as you. Dogs love goofing off and going outside. And he can’t communicate with you how he’s feeling, what he’s thinking, or what he wants.

    You get the choice to do what you want, when you want, with who you want, he doesn’t. All he has is you, and all he can do is hope that you are kind to him.

    Dog stuff aside. You have a passion, that’s understandable, but you have to understand that 99.99999% of the world couldn’t care less what you’re doing, and you will never make them care. You can’t expect people to care about things with the same passion that you do.

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    • Right. I guess I was being too full of myself. Maybe I should make a schedule. Btw I’m home alone most of the time, my sisters are always off doing something. I agreed to take care of the dog but I didn’t know it would be this hard.

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      • KholatKhult

        A schedule is good with dogs, they pick up on patterns very quickly, and it gives them something to look forward to. Dogs live in a very very small world, the few times you play tug of war with your dog is most often the /only/ enjoyable part of his day.

        Dogs are easy when you figure them out, most dogs just want to have a good time and party. Breed and personality is important here. And if you have a yard big enough, playing ball using a racket or bat makes fetch a more enjoyable game.

        Honestly, the majority of creatives are huge narcissistic a-holes and I say this with love lol, I’m a huge supporter of my towns writers and artists. I read a lot of work by aspiring writers. I think a “healthy” level of narcissism is necessary to be creative

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  • Boojum

    A possible work-around: Some writers have found that voice recognition software does amazing things for their creative output. A mental shift is necessary, but it's not that hard, and there aren't many people who can type (particularly on a laptop keyboard 🙄) as fast as they can talk, even if they're pacing themselves for clear diction.

    Also, some people find that walking is an excellent way to get the creative juices flowing.

    Turn the dog's demands into something positive by taking him for an extended walk for an hour or so at a particular time every day and dictating as you go. This would also mean that you won't be distracted by family members interrupting you, and you'll probably get some Brownie points from them for taking care of the dog.

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  • LornaMae

    And maybe Shakespeare or someone about to write their most iconic scene got distracted because their annoying dog wanted to fool around or their annoying family members shouted about trivial bullshit, and that great scene was indeed forgotten --- only to open up space for another greater and better scene?

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    • Good point

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      • LornaMae

        Check this out and scroll down to E.B. White.

        https://medium.com/the-mission/the-daily-routine-of-20-famous-writers-and-how-you-can-use-them-to-succeed-1603f52fbb77

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        • Thx!

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          • LornaMae

            Anyway, thoughts on what you've read?

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            • That was really helpful, thanks so much for sharing it! You might be the reason the book gets written at all, since I really needed to be told this! (I’m probably too much of a perfectionist)

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            • TirednStoned

              I enjoyed it

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  • charli.m

    If you aren't complaining about your grandmother, you're complaining about your dog. Take some responsibility. You're an adult now.

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    • I haven’t complained about my grandma in a while, but I mostly use this site to vent my frustrations at the moment, I’m not like this all the time.

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      • charli.m

        No, because you've been complaining about your dog.

        Venting is all well and good, except you always blame everyone else instead of taking responsibility for your own situation...and from your account, you don't seem to be contributing all that much to the family, despite your complaining.

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        • You seem to have a point, but trust me I do take care of the dog and I spend more time with him than anyone else

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