Here's the order of terminology for my sewing room: WIPs (works in progress); UFOs (unfinished objects); and USOs (unsewn objects).

I set them aside and eventually I feel like tackling it again. I don't like to keep on with something I'm tired of. Still a little guilt involved tho - offset by a good feeling of returning to it.

I agree with this idea.

Put it away but NEVER give up.
When my granddaughter was born, I wanted to make her an appliqued alphabet book. Got the pattern but it didn't happen. Last month this granddaughter had a little boy so I am making it for him.
What's 30 years when it's a fun project.

I have found that if I try to work on a project that I really don't want to do, not in the mood, etc. I WILL end up taking out my work later! So David, consider it 'saving' your WIP from poor work or decisions <G>
If you someday find that you no longer need the experience that the WIP provided, give it to your local quilt guild who will finish it and give it to a needy child!

I have two UFO's setting by waiting to be finished, but with everything coming at me now I have to leave them alone no matter how bad I'd like to work on them. I know they're going to be great when they're done but I want to give them my all in order to concentrate. SO for now I'll do the BOMs and other little things going on just to have something to pass the time and keep the mind busy. Guilty?? No...I leave that for something I've done that really deserves Guilt! :-)

I usually have a few things going at a time, currently 3 major projects and a BOM. I work on whatever I feel like working on but I do get them done. Don't worry about it unless you find yourself never finishing anything.

I only really feel guilty about ones that were supposed to be for a specific birthday/wedding/new baby/new house/whatever and the designated gift giving time has passed by a significant amount.

I will eventually get them done!

I was thrilled a couple months back when I finally finished one that had given me fits every time I worked on it for a couple of years. Once I gave in to taking it completely apart and doing it a different way, it came together relatively quickly. And the recipient told me she valued it even more because it took so long to finish. I had made a pillow with one of the blocks from the original plan, so she got to see what I had intended to do as well. I also used the pieces left over from the redesign to make 3 more pillows for her, so maybe her kids won't fight over who gets mom's pillow, they get one too.

Guilt is over-rated. Takes too much energy.
Just call them your practise pieces and if you want to bind them and send them off as "potholders du jour," go for it.

um...yesterday I swapped one of my UFQTs for a yard of badly needed batik, with one of my quilting friends.
Honestly, we were both delighted! J