Super timely post as we head back to school and the pace of life aways seems to quicken in the fall. Beyond a Suggestion List, I probably need a To Don't List - the stuff I should actively NOT spend time doing.
Going to look into Daily Rituals by Mason! Thank you 🙏
Also, from someone who historically avoids the yUcKy to-do list items, I would like to share that I got my car smog checked today. On a Saturday. And I’m going to renew my registration BEFORE October 31.
You and I share that “always doing”. Trying hard to let go of those things that aren’t as important as my relationships, making time for me and things I enjoy.
Have lost a few friends at young ages and suddenly in the past 5 years, and I’m starting to understand/feel that life is short & unpredictable.
For a clue to the reason of 'why am i like this' (from someone previously like this for 50 years): being in constant fight or flight mode, then in freeze (colapse) mode at night. Learn how to regulate your nervous system, about hypervigilance and about escaping the (colonialist) hyper capitalism mindset.
I’m constantly asking myself “why am I this way?!” “Why can’t I sit down, do nothing and relax?” It’s frustrating and leaves me feeling like I didn’t even do anything because I’m always rushing onto the next thing, excluding intention and mindful action. Thank you for sharing this. ✨
Great article, Nedra, and yes, we'll never get to the end of out to-do-list! One thing that really helped me reframe to-do lists is to see them as a brain dump, and to differentiate between a priority and a to-do (priorities need to get done, to-dos don't).
I got the idea of a braindump to-do list from neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin. In his book The Organized Mind, our mind tends to “loop” and to keep on reminding us of outstanding tasks again and again and again. By writing all tasks we can think of down, we can close that loop, and focus our energy on different things.
We were just talking about how we finish one thing on our list and add two more. 🤷🏻♀️ Your post is a great reminder that not everything is a real priority! 🙃
A refreshing perspective (which hopefully become more common) to offset the "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" type of WASP-y, scarcity mindset b.s. that is so rife in our society.
Have you read Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks - when I read it, it felt like all the lights being switched on about my relationship with finite time and infinite tasks. So glad your nugget reminded me to keep my eye on this aspect of my life in my perennial struggle to become unhurried 🥰
Remembering what's priority in our life is key my therapist taught me to have 3 categories on my to do list to keep me from being overwhelmed
1. Need to do - essentials to daily needs to survive( i.e. bank, bills, cook, eat)
2. Want to do - things you havent gotten to do but will get done when you get to it (i.e. Clean the oven, clean the drawers )
3.fun to do- do the things you enjoy for 10min (i.e. read, paint hang with friends, get your hair done)
This list has been my go to for over a year I do 3 of each thing so that even if I don't get to all of it I know that I still accomplished something and my needs and wants got met. And then I don't have a panic attack. I used to need something to do constantly and I had to rewire my brain that I'm no longer caregiving and don't have time for myself , I no longer work a demanding job I work for me now where i can go to lunch with a friend stuff will get done later .
This is such a timely post as my kids return to school and I feel like I have a bunch of things I must do. I like the idea to have a list of nice-to-do things - which, to be honest, most if not all of the items on my to do list are. My takeaway is "We have to build in that space for fun and freedom too." Well said & thank you!
Sometimes it's challenging to distinguish between the two due to my upbringing, but I need to embrace flexibility.
Super timely post as we head back to school and the pace of life aways seems to quicken in the fall. Beyond a Suggestion List, I probably need a To Don't List - the stuff I should actively NOT spend time doing.
A Suggestion List! I love that!
Going to look into Daily Rituals by Mason! Thank you 🙏
Also, from someone who historically avoids the yUcKy to-do list items, I would like to share that I got my car smog checked today. On a Saturday. And I’m going to renew my registration BEFORE October 31.
Mark my words!! 😂
You and I share that “always doing”. Trying hard to let go of those things that aren’t as important as my relationships, making time for me and things I enjoy.
Have lost a few friends at young ages and suddenly in the past 5 years, and I’m starting to understand/feel that life is short & unpredictable.
Learning to embrace the mess!
To-do list items pushed to tomorrow:
1) Researching Productivity Apps
2) Watering desk plant again
3) Organizing Email Inbox
For a clue to the reason of 'why am i like this' (from someone previously like this for 50 years): being in constant fight or flight mode, then in freeze (colapse) mode at night. Learn how to regulate your nervous system, about hypervigilance and about escaping the (colonialist) hyper capitalism mindset.
This is a reminder that the Western world constantly needs — simplify and slow down. Then, enjoy this beautiful life as surround us~
I’m constantly asking myself “why am I this way?!” “Why can’t I sit down, do nothing and relax?” It’s frustrating and leaves me feeling like I didn’t even do anything because I’m always rushing onto the next thing, excluding intention and mindful action. Thank you for sharing this. ✨
Great article, Nedra, and yes, we'll never get to the end of out to-do-list! One thing that really helped me reframe to-do lists is to see them as a brain dump, and to differentiate between a priority and a to-do (priorities need to get done, to-dos don't).
I got the idea of a braindump to-do list from neuroscientist Daniel J. Levitin. In his book The Organized Mind, our mind tends to “loop” and to keep on reminding us of outstanding tasks again and again and again. By writing all tasks we can think of down, we can close that loop, and focus our energy on different things.
We were just talking about how we finish one thing on our list and add two more. 🤷🏻♀️ Your post is a great reminder that not everything is a real priority! 🙃
A refreshing perspective (which hopefully become more common) to offset the "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today" type of WASP-y, scarcity mindset b.s. that is so rife in our society.
Have you read Oliver Burkeman’s Four Thousand Weeks - when I read it, it felt like all the lights being switched on about my relationship with finite time and infinite tasks. So glad your nugget reminded me to keep my eye on this aspect of my life in my perennial struggle to become unhurried 🥰
Remembering what's priority in our life is key my therapist taught me to have 3 categories on my to do list to keep me from being overwhelmed
1. Need to do - essentials to daily needs to survive( i.e. bank, bills, cook, eat)
2. Want to do - things you havent gotten to do but will get done when you get to it (i.e. Clean the oven, clean the drawers )
3.fun to do- do the things you enjoy for 10min (i.e. read, paint hang with friends, get your hair done)
This list has been my go to for over a year I do 3 of each thing so that even if I don't get to all of it I know that I still accomplished something and my needs and wants got met. And then I don't have a panic attack. I used to need something to do constantly and I had to rewire my brain that I'm no longer caregiving and don't have time for myself , I no longer work a demanding job I work for me now where i can go to lunch with a friend stuff will get done later .
The post is informative and educating.Thank you
This is such a timely post as my kids return to school and I feel like I have a bunch of things I must do. I like the idea to have a list of nice-to-do things - which, to be honest, most if not all of the items on my to do list are. My takeaway is "We have to build in that space for fun and freedom too." Well said & thank you!