Can't quite get started..please help!

[SparkleLicious]

I know I don't post very often on the boards, but this has been bothering me for a while now.
I feel drawn to paganism, especially the 'magical' part of it. I've read a quite a few books, and it'll be a year and a day from when I first decided to start leanring about paganism in november. But...I'm not sure how to word this...I just dont ever seem to really get started. I read stuff about it, and research all the time, but I never actually start anything. I don't have the problem with my parents, they're completely fine with my choice of religion and have even offered to help me with it, so I know they arne't the reason I'm holding back. I think it may have something to do with my short attention span...once I start something i usually get bored with it very quickly and end up just kind of forgetting about it (like the tarot deck i was going to make myself..still have the blank cards and everything in my desk _whistle_ )
If anyone has any advice on how to get myself motivated and actually started, I would greatly appreciate it! I dunno if any of this made sense, its hard to explain, but it makes sense in my head! Thanks you guys!

Love the new layout by the way, who agrees?

:fpeace:
Sparkles

[indigo rain]

you sound a little like me...

personally, i held back a lot because i told myself i wasn't ready to do my first ritual, i didn't have all the right tools, i was waiting for the perfect day, i wasn't sure about which path i wanted to take, etc... basically i was a perfectionist waiting for the perfect moment that would never come. i just had to get over that and just go for it. started out with a simple dedication ceremony, which was great btw, and set up a simple altar, prayed and meditated, i wish i could say every day, but it turned out to be more like every day for a few weeks, skip a few weeks, then back again... started a bos, scrapped it, started a new one, scrapped it, etc... point is, nothing was perfect, but it was a learning process, and the mistakes i made never hurt anything, they only helped me learn. after four years i'm finally a little more set in my ways, have a working bos and altar, and more or less a routine i follow.
i don't know if this is anything like your problem, but all i can tell you is dive in. do something. after that first hurdle it really does get easier.

[Ron]

Do not read the next instruction before you have executed the present one.


Go get a piece of paper.


Go get a writing instrument.


Write, on the first line: "Why I am interested in Paganism"


Place your writing instrument at the beginning of the 2nd line on the paper.


Write the first word that comes into your mind, in answer to the question. Continue writing. Write as if you are talking to someone who has no idea what you are talking about. (i.e.: be very precise in defining ideas). Do not worry about grammar, spelling, puncuation... or anything of the sort.


Revise and edit your masterpiece. Make more drafts as you feel nessesscary.


Read your paper daily, until you are able to "start" as desired. Do not destory any your drafts; rather, treasure them. They will be useful much later in Life.


Thank me.

[Kalika]

Making lists always helps me. :) I make a list of what I want to do... then do it.

Keeps me on track.

[IvyWitch]

I got some good advice from a Taoist friend of mine when I was having a similar problem. Basically his advice was simple: don't think, do. I think if you worried a little less about why you didn't "feel" right and begin practicing things will fall into place easier.

[Ron]

Making lists always helps me. :) I make a list of what I want to do... then do it.

Keeps me on track.
Ditto, but the poster seemed to be a little bit of unwilling to start things... and if they are not used to making lists, why oh why would they start now? lol. :P

[Kalandriel]

Go with your intuition.
And no more "I will do that later," or "I plan to," or "I would if," or "I just need this.."

Just do it, with or without some things that you might need, find alternatives, and don't think about what's wrong, just do what's right. :)

[SparkleLicious]

Thank you all for the advice! Indigo rain, thats the same problem I have, I think. Along with just not being very motivated, i feel like I'm not ready to do anything big, like i dont have enough knowledge or practice. Everyone's advice was good. I think I'm going to take a serious step with what I want to do with my 'path', whatever that may be, still not sure. I'm gonna try to sit down and just plan, make a list and just do it. And like you said, if it messes up, that's just another oppertunity to learn! Thanks again all!!

[David19]

I'm the same, i can read all the sites and books and think i want to try something but it never gets done, but i've recently told myself not to put myself down, i'm turning my life around in all ways and i do feel better, recently i did the first part of the Witchcraft from the Ground up course on www.whywiccanssuck.com, and i actually did feel something which makes me know it's not all in my mind.

So if you see something you want to do, then you should do it - i also did a sigil and it was my first peace of magic. Usually there easy to do (my way anyway), just write down your desire and remove all the repeating letters (cantrap has the more details than this since i can't remember the whole way) and then i just masturbated until i reached orgasism and pictured it in my mind then consecrated it with my stuff :).

The point is to have faith in yourself and do what you want, whatever it is.

Hope i was of some help :)

[RubyRose]

Yep, lists are an excellent idea.

Actually I should probably spend more time, on those sort of things than being on the net. :lol:

But then, what's procrastinating for, right?

[Kalika]

Ditto, but the poster seemed to be a little bit of unwilling to start things... and if they are not used to making lists, why oh why would they start now? lol. :P

They are the only one who can make the decision to start. Making a list is just a first step on that track. :)

[StarCraftLia]

.

[MorningDove030202]

Why do we procrastinate? Un-necessary fear..... Do a spell to banish your un-necessary fear, do that writing exercise a few posts up, make a list, and then just DO IT!

Dove

[Joe46761]

i've also just started under a year ago. i started by just thinking about it. when i was little i would have problems waking up because i saw myself waking up before i did so i just went back to sleep. now i hear things a few seconds before i really hear them. i havent done anything special only the things that seem to be the most real. i believe in most of the wiccan religion i meditate a lot i believe in reincarnation and the three fold law

[dragonprincess]

You said you like the research, the reading, right? Here's my little tidbit, aside from agreeing whole heartedly with everyone else, the next time you are reading a book and you come a cross a spell, say, a protection, or good luck, and as your reading you say to yourself, "Hey, i have a green candle", then " Hmmm, I have some nutmeg too, and a peice of paper." Get right up, from where ever you are reading, and do it. Just gather your things and cast, don't hesitate, don't look back, just GO. You will be brilliant!