Things That Aren’t Doing The Thing

Preparing to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Scheduling time to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Making a to-do list for the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Telling people you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Messaging friends who may or may not be doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Writing a banger tweet about how you’re going to do the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Hating on yourself for not doing the thing isn’t doing the thing. Hating on other people who have done the thing isn’t doing the thing. Hating on the obstacles in the way of doing the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Fantasizing about all of the adoration you’ll receive once you do the thing isn’t doing the thing.

Reading about how to do the thing isn’t doing the thing. Reading about how other people did the thing isn’t doing the thing. Reading this essay isn’t doing the thing.

The only thing that is doing the thing is doing the thing.

Inspired by Strangest Loop

22 Comments

  1. Kelly Hikes April 23, 2025

    My sentiments exactly. I’m sending this to my hubby 🤣

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      Haha 😂 It’s something worth printing out and sticking on the wall or fridge as a daily reminder.

  2. deepthinkerpoet April 24, 2025

    Well, I feel very called out. 😅

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      Haha! Good 😂 Join the club!

  3. Fiore April 24, 2025

    🤗✨🍀Wonderful!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      This was so good I just had to share it.

  4. Janis April 24, 2025

    WOW!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      I know right!

  5. Mitzy Bricker April 24, 2025

    Indeed so!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      Absolutely 😊

  6. Bryan Wagner April 24, 2025

    Absolutely wonderful!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      It absolutely is!

  7. lillianfalciglia April 24, 2025

    excellent point. That’s something we should all look at every day and compare ourselves to it

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      You’re absolutely right. Just to keep the momentum going.

  8. Crafty Postell April 25, 2025

    I appreciate this. I’m glad in April I find encouragement to keep going for what I set out for in the beginning of my year.

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      Let’s go! I hope it keeps snowballing for you!

  9. EnchiPants April 28, 2025

    All the preparations for doing the thing definitely isn’t doing the thing. I feel that deep in my bones. Sometimes, I get tired of thinking about doing the thing, even throwing a small mental tantrum ABOUT having to do the thing. And then… I do the thing and it’s finally done. Mission accomplished! What’s the next thing?! Ugh… xD

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 7, 2025

      Hahaha 🤣 The never ending process of “Doing The Thing”.

  10. Asher Proctor May 8, 2025

    I needed this call out while I was pretending that my procrastination was productive! Thanks for this, man!!!!!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 8, 2025

      Haha! I’m so glad to hear that!
      Do the thing!

  11. TrivingThursdaysWithTannie May 8, 2025

    I enjoyed the rhythm of this post and it does offer a get up and the thing now vibe.

    it really doesn’t matter if you dream until is actioned.

    so do the thing! Today? Now!

    1. Hannes van Eeden May 8, 2025

      You’re right. He hit the nail on the head with this.

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