This is a “ZZ” plant, otherwise known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Normally a slow-growing plant from South Africa, it isn’t really a succulent (it’s actually an aroid), but it’s certainly tough enough to hang with the rest of my easy-care houseplant gang. I bought it expecting that, like the other South African plants, it would look pretty and do nothing for a long while.

But see that long stalk in the front leaning off to the left (as we look at it), with the smaller leaves just starting to unfurl at the top? That particular stalk was all of about four inches high when I brought it home just a couple weeks ago. Now it’s going on a foot and a half, which is just crazy quick growth for these plants. Apparently it approves of where I put it, and the fact that I haven’t watered it since I stuck it there.

Actually, I’ve seen growth on all of those stalks, though none as dramatic as that young one. I’ve always loved aroids, and they tend to grow well for me, so I’m glad I finally got my hands on one of these (I’ve been wanting one ever since they first came to market – of course they were rare and hard to find then. I bought this one at Lowes.).

I can hear your thoughts about now.

Um, that’s great. You know you titled this “slow growth”, right?

Indeed I did. Here’s the thing. I planned this post on Sunday (I loosely plan everything out when I’m writing out my goals for the week). At that time, I was just barely recovering from a very stressful week at the day job, and coming to grips with the fact that I had to go back again in just a few hours. All that week and weekend I’d been fighting my resolve to do things other than writing with my free time, because I was behind, and I truly just wanted to crawl into my fiction and escape the world. But I stuck to my schedule and kept the writing in its place while I did other things...like play Facebook games (I only play two – Cafe World and Farm Town, because my husband plays those and we can enjoy that together). I’d gotten my nail blog updated, posted a tea review, and started thinking about the crochet magazines I have in the office. I weeded and found some surprisingly healthy and lovely plants in the garden, and I found something new to fixate on for awhile (more on that next week – it will be a short-lived fixation, long-term addition to my life).

Basically, I lived life for awhile. Instead of escaping into a fictional world, I actually participated in the one going on around me (well, with the exception of FB games – that counts as fiction *and* social, since I’m talking too/trading with people there). And I’ll admit, it was stressful. Changing routines and habits is insanely stressful for me, even when it’s to do something fun. Yes, I know that’s screwed up. That’s how I’m wired, so that’s what I work with. So I felt like I was moving at a snail’s pace, and it really wasn’t until I sat down to write this post that I realized just how far I’ve come already. It sort of snuck up on me.

Just like my ZZ plant.

I still have a long way to go – and I won’t be comfortable again until everything’s slotted neatly into my daily & weekly routines. But even just the fact that books and the publishing industry isn’t the only thing I have to talk about anymore is really good progress, and while it’s always going to be a major part of my life, I can see where there’s room for other things too. It will just take some time to adjust.

And maybe a new organizational system.

Those of you who prefer not to work within a set “system” might want to skip next week’s post. I’m going all “gadget girl” and “crazy-organizing-lady” with the purchase of my first tablet computer today, and next week I’ll share how I use lists, calendars and reminders to keep my days running smoothly (for the most part). Those of you who like gadgets and are interested in routines and schedules...well, you’ll probably want to tune in next Thursday.

If you made it this far, tell me something you’re interested in that’s not book related (or kid-related if you’re a parent...since kids tend to rule your life more than even writing).

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