Commitment Issues. (Support Group)

@ swell
I tend to jump ahead and think long-term like, I know we're still in July, but I get all and anxious because I start stressing out that I won't be able to complete it.

I have 10k right now, so that's awesome, but all I can think is how back in 08 I reached 30k and that's it. I stopped 'cause I was done with the story

I'll try the positive reinforcement to see if it works. I think I'll get myself a coffee every 5k I reach and then when I get to 20k I'll do it for every 10k.

@ swell
Thanks for sharing that. Yeh, that is a really good idea. I used to make precise detailed outlines, then BAM. I'd get this great idea from nowhere, which usually throws off the story (or just makes a little detour). So now I figured that having outlines do help, it's just that I need to remember to leave space for last minute idea add ons.

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@ cadaveres literarios
I remember I did NaNo once (notice the key word was 'once' haha I'm kidding). Anyway, as swell had written earlier, having outlines do help. Like, having a basic overview of what's to happen plus having an estimate guess on the word count for each chapter? I found that had helped me. LOL. So every time I had finish a chapter I could tick off a certain amount of word count (and secretly reward myself). Anyway, not sure if that had helped, but good luck. :)

Okay so... I've been working on this short story for over a year now. It's something I really want to turn into a publishable piece. I've worked pretty hard on it, and I know it needs more work, but I can't finish it.
Last night, I opened the document and somehow I must've acidently deleted a chunk of the plot -- like, the first bit that explains my two main characters' relationship and gives insight on their personalities is just gone. Something like this happened before with I Ryden I was writing, but I lost the whole thing and was too frustrated to try again.
I don't want to lose this piece. It means a lot to me and reflect a lot of important events I've experienced, things I want to talk about, but I can never rewrite something I've already written -- it's just too hard, like my brain locks up.
I need to commit, and I want to, but I feel so stuck, and I'm honestly really upset about this little mishap.
Help?