IAIN KELLY

STATIONARY STATIONERY

New Year. New me.
Resolutions. Not new ones.
The same ones as last year, but this time I’m going to stick to them.

Get up, get moving, shift the pounds, feel the burn.
No more lounging around the house in pyjamas.
Dress for success.

Productivity is the key.
New stationery organised.
Ready for work.
Not sure what the project is yet, but keep the energy up and it will come to me.

New lockdown.
Gym closed.
Pavements icy.
Not to worry. I can start exercise next week.

Work called.
Furloughed again, no need to get up in the morning.

New stationery sits untouched.
Another stationary year ahead.

Copyright Jan Wayne Fields

Written for Friday Fictioneers hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Happy New Year everyone. Let’s hope 2021 turns out to be the year we get back to some sort of normal life. I hope everyone is safe and well.

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70 responses to “STATIONARY STATIONERY”

  1. Books & Bonsai Avatar
    Books & Bonsai

    I keep telling myself that while the planet is stagnating, I should use the time to create something wonderful… Hasn’t happened yet, but the worm is turning!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Hope inspiration hits! But I do feel we shouldn’t pressure ourselves to have to use this time. It’s enough just now to keep on keeping on. Thanks for reading 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Books & Bonsai Avatar
        Books & Bonsai

        My thoughts exactly, but I need to be doing something…

        Liked by 1 person

  2. neilmacdon Avatar
    neilmacdon

    Lounging around in our pyjamas has become our national duty. It’s how we keep each other safe

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I didn’t get any new pyjamas for Christmas, so I have to keep coming to work.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  3. Sadje Avatar
    Sadje

    Good use of stationary!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sadje Avatar
        Sadje

        You’re welcome Iain

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Indeed. What seemed like a bright new start has quickly morphed into the same old same old. Cleverly done, Iain.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Sandra. I’m still clinging on to some optimism that the vaccine roll out will get us back to some freedom by late spring. Fingers crossed.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. trishsplace Avatar
    trishsplace

    Great play on the prompt. Great take on the present continued uncertainty and our unrelenting need to make new resolutions, that we ultimately fail to achieve. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Better to try and fail than not try at all. Or something like that!

      Like

      Reply
  6. rochellewisoff Avatar
    rochellewisoff

    Dear Iain,

    So much for resolutions. At any rate, there’s time to write…right? Wonderfully constructed poem in any event. I hope this blight is cleared soon. Best wishes for your safety this new year.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rochelle. Fingers crossed we all get a bit of freedom in the months ahead.

      Like

      Reply
  7. Tannille Avatar
    Tannille

    Next to impossible to achieve new year goals in that sort of environment. Great take on the prompt though.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  8. ceayr Avatar
    ceayr

    Never do today what you can put off till tomorrow.
    Words to live by, Iain!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I try to live up to them as best I can!

      Like

      Reply
    2. Rowena Avatar
      Rowena

      My mantra, CE!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. granonine Avatar
    granonine

    The urge to create can be squelched when people are so tightly controlled. Nice use of stationery/stationary.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It certainly can. Thanks Linda

      Like

      Reply
  10. bearmkwa Avatar
    bearmkwa

    Know the feeling. I checked back with the church where I was working about plans for the new year. they’re still closed and don’t foresee opening the childrens wing anytime soon. Meanwhile, I’m tired of sitting and waiting. Already filled out some apps. In the meantime, my desk sits unused, notebooks gathering dust… just can’t seem to find inspirations lately.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s hard to be inspired at the moment. Hope something comes along to spark something for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Mike Avatar
    Mike

    It is extra hard to find inspiration during lockdown. Keep well and the sun will return and melt the ice

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It certainly is a draining experience. Thanks Mike.

      Like

      Reply
  12. Eugenia Parrish Author Avatar
    Eugenia Parrish Author

    Really nice juxtaposition of the words. I am actually hoping I can become more active with the stationary in this lockdown. Of course, that means making sure my handwriting is legible.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, good luck with it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  13. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    That about sums it up, Iain.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yep, best intentions and all that, then life gets in the way.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Keith's Ramblings Avatar
    Keith’s Ramblings

    As I started reading this I began to feel guilty about sitting here in my dressing down, but I think I got let off in the end!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Yeah, just surviving is enough for now!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  15. elmowrites Avatar
    elmowrites

    New year’s resolutions tricky enough at the best of times; I’m not sure this is the year to fix that.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      You’re right – best just to survive this year!

      Like

      Reply
  16. pennygadd51 Avatar
    pennygadd51

    Something tells me that Covid or no Covid, your narrator wasn’t going to stick to his resolutions. Unlike you, I suspect, who are plainly well disciplined in your writing!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, thanks Penny. Lockdown is at least good for keeping us indoors and with plenty of time for writing!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. magickmermaid Avatar
    magickmermaid

    At least all your office supplies are in order. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      It’s the small things! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  18. draliman Avatar
    draliman

    Yep, sounds familiar. I have such plans… 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      There’s still time, if I could summon up the energy to get out of my pyjamas…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    Oh I loved this! We get so caught up in the inspiration the month of January and new stationery brings, and we don’t even know what project we’re feeling so inspired to do. Clever play on the words stationery and stationary, too. SO much movement and then – nada!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much Fatima, glad you liked it 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. Rowena Avatar
    Rowena

    Oh Iain! You see straight through me, I’m afraid, although thanks to covid, I didn’t get new pens etc but I did buy some new notebooks to do extensive journal writing which is mostly going well, and the extra writing is also stewing the juices which is great.
    However, there’s one area where I’ve already had a major fail. I lost my new week to a page appointment book. I am rather dependent on this not only for organizing myself but the entire family. Searching for this, has both lead to additional sorting and throwing out as well as increased paper work sprawl. It looks like having too many places for it has created confusion and delay.
    Hope things pick up for you over there re covid. It’s a dreadful business.
    Best wishes,
    Rowena

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Rowena! I’m sure you are not the only one who can relate. At least your search has meant everything else has had a good sort – even if it led to extra work! Hope you are safe and well and this year will be a good one for you.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Rowena Avatar
        Rowena

        I wish you and yours a Happy, safe and covid free New Year. History tells us this will pass, but it doesn’t tell us when.
        Best wishes,
        Rowena

        Liked by 1 person

  21. Dora Avatar
    Dora

    What happens to resolve when there’s nowhere to put it? You capture the irresolution of the day perfectly, Iain. (Happy New Year, by the way!)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dora, and Happy New Year to you also 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  22. rogershipp Avatar
    rogershipp

    ‘The same ones as last year, but this time I’m going to stick to them.’ That line really caused a chuckle!!

    Enjoyed!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Roger, always glad to raise a smile 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
    Inside the Mind of Isadora

    Get up … Get dressed … all should be well. NOT …. isolation feels like a good excuse for p j’s all day.
    Actually, as of 2021, I decided to rise with a positive attitude and getting dressed does seem to help.
    Happy New Year 2021 to you, Iain. Be Safe 😷
    Isadora 😎

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Isadora! I have to convince my kids that spending all day in their pyjamas is not healthy, even if they don’t have to go to school! All the best for the new year 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Inside the Mind of Isadora Avatar
        Inside the Mind of Isadora

        Thank you on the New Year wishes.
        No kids here, but we do have to push ourselves sometimes. I think no one expected to be home working/studying for so long. 😎

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    I really enjoyed this one and it was a very clever use of the prompt!! I know there’s hope on the horizon, but it doesn’t mean it’ll all be over soon. But, I have to say, it’s going to take some getting used to to dress up again or at least to get out of my comfy pyjamas. Take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Brenda. Who knows where we will end up and when. I’m in the taking it one day at a time mindset at the moment!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
        Brenda’s Thoughts

        Best way to live!

        Liked by 1 person

  25. Bernadette Braganza Avatar
    Bernadette Braganza

    The inevitable motivation of good intentions. I’ve kind of stopped making New Year resolutions.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      They never seem to really pay off, so you’re probably right to avoid them!

      Like

      Reply
  26. liz young Avatar
    liz young

    The weather is certainly not conducive to the daily exercise I took in Lockdowns 1 & 2. And I still think to myself, StationEry as in papEr, stationAry as in cAr.!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      We never knew how lucky we were when we had the good weather in lockdown 1! Doesn’t make it any easier.

      Like

      Reply
  27. plaridel Avatar
    plaridel

    great title. i love the play of words. well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks so much

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  28. ahtdoucette Avatar
    ahtdoucette

    Fun poem with a definite ring of truth. Made me smile and I can use it this week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Anne, happy it gave you a small moment of lightness.

      Like

      Reply
  29. goroyboy Avatar
    goroyboy

    Happy New Year Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      And to you Roy!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  30. Girl in Niagara Avatar
    Girl in Niagara

    Good one Iain. Better put those pyjamas on. I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a while. Happy new year!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Seems to keep going back, latest was autumn in the UK to have every adult vaccinated – so there goes the summer again!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Girl in Niagara Avatar
        Girl in Niagara

        We have the same problem here. Planning ahead does not seem to be a political strong point, unfortunately for us plebes.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Laurie Bell Avatar
    Laurie Bell

    That last line is so symbolic. And so true to the start of this year… I’m keeping smaller goals this year and hope I can meet them

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Good luck. Just getting through the year will be enough for 2021 I think!

      Like

      Reply
      1. Laurie Bell Avatar
        Laurie Bell

        Oh so so true

        Liked by 1 person

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