I’m a big fan of lists. My mind is on overdrive like 96% of the time, so it gets tricky to sort it all out and have an action plan.
And I’m all about action.
Some people have mastered awesome technology like Google Calendar to keep their lives running smoothly. Others tote around Franklin Planners or MomAgenda’s.
Me?
I’m a random post-it, swatch of scratch paper or back of envelope kind of girl.
Classy, right?
There’s just something about a physical to-do list that really does it for me. I like putting pen to paper and having a hard copy list. Mostly because of how fun it is to cross things off.
Confession: When making a list I will often add an item or two that I’ve just completed so that I can cross them off right away and start my endeavor feeling accomplished.
Am I the only one who does this?
At any point in time my work laptop has sticky notes affixed to the palm rests on either side of the trackpad.
Exhibit A:
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| Grace is hard at work, but notice the 2 post-its. |
I can’t even fathom going to the grocery store without a list. How else can you be sure to get everything you need??
Exhibit B:
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| This is a list that was started on our magnetic fridge list and finished on my laptop post-it. What a beauty! |
I regularly write down goals for the weekend or for keeping in touch with friends. There are New Year’s resolution lists and baby name lists and new wardrobe lists.
When I’m particularly stressed or anxious, I’ve found it to be extremely helpful to write out an “anxious thoughts” list. Every little thing that’s worrying me gets written down even if it’s absurd.
Exhibit C:
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| Most items have been censored to protect the innocent but you can see two of them are pretty absurd. |
The “anxious thoughts” notebook lives on my nightstand so that I can get it all out before bed. I highly recommend this to my fellow anxious thinkers. Getting it all out in black and white brings things back into perspective. The mountains that seem impossible to climb look like furry little kittens when you can fit them all on a single page of notebook paper. Especially a small notebook like this one. What could possibly be stressful about a red sweater?? LOL
Then there are the fun lists.
I really love the Christmas season. Not the shopping chaos and materialism that I was whining about last week, but the good stuff. The little things that make the season feel special. I’m nervous that I’ll miss them this year if I’m not intentional.
Enter Exhibit D:
Just a short list of things that I don’t want to miss. Having them jotted down in red ink is making me feel like I have a chance at getting them all in before the 26th.
Any other frequent list makers out there?
THE*
I use the Any Do app for my phone! Once you complete your task you swipe your finger over it and it crosses it off!!! Still keeping he satisfaction of the cross off!!!
Im another one who loves making lists! I found an app that I use pretty regularly on the iPhone called Wunderlist. It allows me to constantly have my list and never lose it.
hahaha! totally emo, but I loved it.
Boy, this must be a “gene” condition. Amy lives and dies by her lists. Good thing for her is that she now keeps them on her IPad and IPhone so alarms go off to remind her that she has something on her list! Too funny…it's the times we live in…at least you have organization in your chaos Rebecca!
Also love lists, and especially putting items on them I can cross off right away. Makes me feel better about the ones that take up permanent residence on the list and eventually have to be kicked out like a squatter. I love this about you, I just wished you had posted a pic of the ideal list you made me for the grocery a couple weeks ago LOL
Fellow list maker chiming in! I do the same thing, list things I've already done so I can cross them off!! I love your Anxious thoughts List. I mean I love the idea of it, haha. Also, I would like to be added to your Somerset item on your Christmas list, because that is on our list as well this Christmas!! Love you and your lists!!