where wildly different is perfectly normal
Badges? Yes, I need some stinkin’ badges!
Badges? Yes, I need some stinkin’ badges!

Badges? Yes, I need some stinkin’ badges!

NaBloPoMo 2011The I DID IT badge for NaBloPoMo was finally released yesterday and I can now confess that I tortured myself for the badge here. Thirty days of thoughtful, quality writing, self-flagellating mental vomit, penning something every night at 10 PM and praying I didn’t embarrass myself. All because I wanted a square of pixels to accompany the other two there on the left sidebar.

Why? Why do we (because I know I’m not alone in this) bully ourselves for the “prize?” The prize could be an award, a higher paycheck, the adulation of others, or a square of pixels that doesn’t physically exist. I played so many flute recitals in college and grad school not only because I needed a solid goal for which to practice, but also because I wanted the applause. At least I can admit that now. It’s awesome to work your ass off and get recognized for it, something that is inherently lacking in parenting. My awesome-o-meter is sad panda because of that.

So I shall now admire my trio of THEY DON’T REALLY EXIST IN REAL LIFE, JEN! NaBloPoMo badges and recall with hysteria fondness how I achieved my goal, despite all hell breaking lose around me. I’ll do it again in 2012, hoping against hope that I prepare just a wee bit better than I did last month.

2 Comments

  1. I think that we DO work for the shiny sometimes simply *because* there are so many things in our lives that are never going to get us recognition that we do anyway, so those rewards kind of make up for it a little bit.

    Congrats for ALL you do.

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