alightbuthappypen

Nothingburger

2026-03-29T19:19:12Z

No property update because it's the weekend and I heard nothing on Friday (normal! It's normal! My solicitor only contacted the buyer's solicitor on Thursday afternoon, it makes total sense that they'd wait to go through all the paperwork on the weekend! It doesn't mean they're thinking of backing out!).

But it's been an especially listless weekend because of it. I feel like I'm in limbo. I try to stop myself from daydreaming about When It All Happens but still slip up with the occasional foray onto google street view, or looking up nearby garden centres, or adding decor ideas to pinterest.

I settled on a removal company, I can't remember if I said that - they're delivering the boxes and packing materials on Wednesday, so from then at least I'll be able to busy myself with packing and proper decluttering instead of just helplessly sitting around worrying. I mean I have to work, obviously, but you can imagine how difficult it's been to concentrate on that.

The clocks changed last night, which means today has felt short, but also I'm so tired all the time it doesn't feel too early to be getting ready for bed. I have to wrangle myself into a proper routine again: really basic shit like drinking enough water and going for a daily walk and eating at least the occasional vegetable. My life has just felt so disrupted since...well, since the beginning of the year really, all the stress of trying pass my driving test, failing it, then passing it, then immediately into the house stuff.

I tried to have a look at the mostly-written next chapter of a wip this weekend too, but it was a struggle. I do think it's more mentally healthy to spend my time thinking about wangxian boning than obsessively scrolling reddit threads about people's failed property sale experiences though, so I'm trying to persevere.

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Possibly my dullest post ever, you're welcome

2026-03-15T16:31:34Z

I have started the decluttering process.

This feels like a 'safe' task, because even if the house purchase falls through I'm still selling the flat so it won't be wasted effort (this coming week I'm getting quotes from three removal companies, which feels less safe but if all goes to plan and I do end up moving on 12 May I'll need to have the removal booked in soon so I have to push on with it regardless).

I'm a fairly organised person who declutters semi-regularly anyway because I find it therapeutic, so I don't have overwhelming amounts of junk. But what I did have was ten half-used tins of paint of various sizes and colours from all the redecorating, no desire to take them with me to the new house, and, I discovered, no straightforward way of getting rid of them.

It turns out that while in the past council tips/recycling centres would take old paint, a couple of years ago most stopped and will now only take dried out/solidified emulsion paint (and won't take oil-based paint at all). Extensive googling and reading many often-contradictory takes I eventually established that the solidified paint only goes into landfill anyway, so I could just put it in the big communal bin on the street and not need to take it to the tip at all.

The standard suggestions for drying out paint of soil, sand, or woodchippings are of course useless to someone living in the city with no garden, so I ended up buying a couple of bags of the cheapest cat litter I could find and mixing that in. And it worked! So that was six paint tins down. Of the oil-based paint - all old wood gloss in Brilliant White - I was able to empty one by decanting it into another, then put the remaining three down in the communal stair with a note. It's all still usable, and as it's white hopefully someone will want to touch up their skirting or doors or whatever. Items tend to get scavenged pretty quickly in my building, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Anyway, the lesson I've learned is to be way more proactive about the storing/disposing of leftover paint in future, because it is such a faff if you leave it.

Now things are kind of moving with the house stuff it's consuming my every thought and I want to talk about it all the time, so expect more riveting updates as the days pass.

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New Year Goal Update:

2026-02-19T18:30:06Z

1. ~~Pass my driving test~~

As of this afternoon, TICK! Literally burst into shocked tears when the examiner told me I'd passed because it had been so messy and I was 100% convinced I'd failed.

God I'm so relieved I don't have to ever do that again. And also can stop funnelling £90 a week into lessons.

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OH HEY

2026-02-01T21:13:19Z

So I guess it's been a month-ish! Let's see how those new year goals are going:

1. Failed my driving test!
2. So much stress-eating!
3. Not even finished reading one book and it's due back at the library now!
4. Already behind on the word count goal!
5. Procrastinating all the time! Stress!
6. Sat down to do art on maybe two occasions!

However.

I have another driving test booked in a few weeks. And this past week I committed (mentally) to selling the flat and buying a house.

( all about that )

The problem is that I'm consumed by it, now I've committed, and it's been difficult to focus on anything else.

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2026 doesn't start until I go back to work

2026-01-07T15:56:44Z

Whenever I've thought about sitting down and writing (or anything else creative for that matter) for the past few days my brain has immediately started acting like my cat when I try to clip her claws: crying and struggling until I give up and let go.

This is frustrating because I'm still on leave from work this week and have wasted days and days in this kind of paralysis. And also my cat's claws are still too long.

I've managed to start writing this post, though, so let's push on.

It's a new year! Here are my 2026 goals, milestones first and then habits:

Pass my driving test. This is next week. Or perhaps I should say the 'first attempt' is next week. I am in no way confident of my success.

Sell my flat and move to a house out of the city. Dependent on passing my driving test. As if the pressure wasn't high enough.

Read 24 books. Mandatory reading goal. I managed 14 last year, which actually isn't bad by my standards.

Lose 2 stone. Sorry to be a cliche but I have been miserable about my body for the past four years. This obviously includes all the health/fitness sub-goals but I'm not going to couch it in "I just want to be healthy!" language when weight is the most measurable and accurate metric for my current state

Write 75k words. I'm going to keep signing up for this getyourwordsout goal until I hit it. I reached 45k in 2025 which was less than 2024 but more than 2023.

No multitasking/use time actively. Bad at this because my brain hates commitment but it needs to grow up.

Make art every day. Even if it's only 15 minutes. Doesn't matter what kind of art it is.

Okay! Hopefully making this post has unstuck the procrastination loop and I can go write some fic now.

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Write Every Day: November 2025 Final Tally

2025-12-01T21:17:18Z

Here it is!

While I didn't get anywhere near my absurdly lofty writing goal, I did successfully finish and post the exchange fic (and have had a lot of really lovely comments on it, which makes the stress feel worth it), so that's certainly not nothing.

Thanks again for joining me everyone, and let me know if I've made any mistakes in the tally.

Tally

( Days 1-27 )

Day 28: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 29: badly_knitted, brithistorian, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme

Day 30: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

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Write Every Day: Day #30!!

2025-11-30T14:58:36Z

Thought I'd post this a little earlier as it's the final day! Can you believe! November is over??

Thank you for bearing with me this month, which turned out to be a bit more trying irl than I'd expected. I'd hoped to have been better with replying to everyone's comments (I actually still have some flagged to reply to where you've given great replies to my occasional writing questions), but I've loved hearing how you're all doing, and you've definitely helped me drag out more words than I would have otherwise <3

I'll post the final tally tomorrow. In the meantime, I believe luzula is hosting for December so I'll see you there!

Tally

( Days 1-27 )

Day 28: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 29: badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, trobadora

Day 30: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #29

2025-11-29T20:14:17Z

Haven't written yet today because it was imperative that I *checks list* waste half the day wrestling with technology then binge the new season of Stranger Things. But I'm going to do some now!

Tally

( Days 1-26 )

Day 27: badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 28: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 29: china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #28

2025-11-28T18:05:20Z

Very quick post as I'm already late to D&D 😅

Today's writing has been reading over (and correcting the occasional typo) of the longwip. Feeling really positive about what's there, and looking forward to digging into it this weekend.

Tally

( Days 1-25 )

Day 26: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 27: badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 28: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #27

2025-11-27T20:43:45Z

A grumpy and headachey day: I'm going to read over one of the longer wips I had planned to work on this month to refresh it in my mind, then call it a day.

Tally

( Days 1-24 )

Day 25: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 26: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 27:

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #26

2025-11-26T21:35:41Z

Just an alibi sentence from me today. Returning to work has done me in!

Tally

( Days 1-23 )

Day 24: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 25: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 26: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #25

2025-11-25T19:54:30Z

A verrry lazy day, taking full advantage before back to work tomorrow. Dragged out 792 words on the next chapter of a posted wip; it took three hours and did not come easy but at least this one has no external deadline.

I can't recall if I've asked this one yet, but: do you set deadlines for yourself? Do you plan what and when you're going to work on ahead of time, or just play it by feel?

Happy Tuesday, all!

Tally

( Days 1-22 )

Day 23: badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme

Day 24: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 25: alightbuthappypen

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #24

2025-11-24T21:15:16Z

Had a lovely weekend with my family, and the cold that was threatening never quite materialised, hurray!

A few days' break from writing, which was probably for the best; today I just did a couple hundred words on the fic I'd been working on before the exchange one.

Tally

( Days 1-21 )

Day 22: badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 23: badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme

Day 24: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day #23

2025-11-23T21:56:10Z

Apologies again, another unexpectedly busy day - back to business as usual tomorrow. Hope everyone's had a good Sunday!

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Write Every Day #22

2025-11-22T17:03:53Z

Apologies no tally today, I've badly mistimed my day with family!

Please check in as normal and I'll tally up tomorrow :)

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Write Every Day: Day #21

2025-11-21T12:06:48Z

Posting a bit earlier in case I don't have time later with my family visiting.

Today's writing may just be poking at some wips to decide which one to work on next, after (incredibly) finishing the exchange fic.

Tally

( Days 1-18 )

Day 19: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 20: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 21: china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #20

2025-11-20T20:06:32Z

Still on the fence with the cold, but it's looking increasingly likely; I'm honestly so down about it, it had to be the one weekend I was really looking forward to. On the writing front though, finished the exchange fic draft this morning, about two thirds left of a swift edit (which I'd love to get done tonight if I'm going to feel like crap tomorrow)

I hope Thursday has treated you all well!

Tally

( Days 1-17 )

Day 18: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 19: alightbuthappypen, china_shop, badly_knitted, trobadora, goddess47, sylvanwitch, brithistorian, cornerofmadness

Day 20: alightbuthappypen,

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #19

2025-11-19T20:36:58Z

Honestly terrified that I'm coming down with a cold (OR WORSE) because my family are visiting this weekend and I reaaally don't want to get sick. It could just be central-heating-throat but only time will tell.

Getting a cold also will not help with finishing this stupid exchange fic (about 300 words again today so far).

Tally

( Days 1-16 )

Day 17: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 18: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 19: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #18

2025-11-18T20:20:45Z

My 280-words-per-hour writing pace is excruciating, but at least it's words!

Tally

( Days 1-15 )

Day 16: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, chanter1944, china_shop, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 17: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, chanter1944, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 18: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #17

2025-11-17T20:29:39Z

Back at work so obviously completely wiped out (actually doubly so from having such an active day yesterday). Took over an hour to drag out maybe 300 words...I'm so close to finishing the exchange fic, there are just a few short scenes that I'm struggling to figure out.

I may go to bed early to ponder in the dark with my eyes closed, rather than pondering while looking at the blinking cursor on a screen.

Tally

( Days 1-14 )

Day 15: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 16: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 17: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #16

2025-11-16T21:13:54Z

A long (but nice) day visiting friends and seeing the Scottish Symphony Orchestra. And I even managed to write 555 words on the exchange fic in the morning. I had grand intentions of getting more done on the train, but it turns out I simply cannot get in the writing headspace if I'm in public.

So today's optional question: are you a 'able to write anywhere' kind of person? Do you maybe even prefer writing in cafes, on public transport, etc?

Tally

( Days 1-13 )

Day 14: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 15: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 16: alightbuthappypen

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #15

2025-11-15T20:28:34Z

Well I got 1,640 words today on the exchange fic, which is good, but not enough to finish. However reveals aren't actually until the 23rd so I'm still hopeful I can get it done (maybe two scenes left, then a quick edit).

Glad to see that in the 20-odd years since I was doing my university essays the night before deadline, I have changed NOT AT ALL

Tally

( Days 1-12 )

Day 13: brithistorian, china_shop, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 14: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 15: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day #14

2025-11-14T17:36:53Z

So today was less stressful but still busy so squeezing in this post and an alibi couple-of-sentences before D&D but TOMORROW I have cleared my schedule, nothing but writing. And maybe this exchange fic is salvageable!

Tally

( Days 1-11 )

Day 12: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 13: brithistorian, china_shop, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora

Day 14: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #13

2025-11-13T20:30:16Z

Good news: completed the massive work task with urgent deadline. There are obviously more - there are always more - but have a bit of breathing room now.

Bad news: I am currently a burnt out husk, please bear with me one more day (or more accurately: one more night's sleep).

Writing: spent my writing time desperately trawling the internet for a birthday gift for my sister (but I did get one).

Hope your Thursday is going/has gone well!

Tally

( Days 1-10 )

Day 11: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 12: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora

Day 13: china_shop

Welcome Post

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Write Every Day: Day #12

2025-11-12T20:32:17Z

Alibi sentence yesterday and today unfortunately. Risking an entire month of alibi sentences at this rate :( I'm hopeful of closing off the last Massive Task With Urgent Deadline at work tomorrow though, and hopefully after that I'll get my brain back.

Tally

( Days 1-9 )

Day 10: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, luzula, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, trobadora, ysilme

Day 11: alightbuthappypen, badly_knitted, brithistorian, china_shop, cornerofmadness, goddess47, sanguinity, sylvanwitch, the_siobhan, trobadora, ysilme

Day 12: alightbuthappypen, china_shop

Welcome Post

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