So, the other day I whined about how much I had to do. I was overwhelmed and seriously considering running away. Making a list about all the things I had to do (but wasn’t doing because I was making a list) ended up being useful after all. Even better than having a useful list? Being able to cross things off of it.
- Finish shopping (siblings, son, other son)
Order/bake/hunt/kill cake for daughter’s birthdayFind my kitchen tableMake grocery listGet groceries- Shampoo couch (I know. Weird, huh? But it must be done.)
Buy a vacuumVacuumDrop off recyclingPick up medication- Complete four loads of laundry
- Write and mail Christmas letters and/or cards or something
- Stop freaking out
Since more than half the list was crossed off, I can make a new list and scrap the old. How exciting!
- Pick up last minute present for my little guy and my siblings.
- Find pencil box and finish cutting out felt pieces for one of my little guy’s presents.
- Wrap everything.
- Shampoo the couch - or at least the armrests
- Do laundry as needed making guest bedding a priority. (If I wash it, they won’t come. If I don’t wash it, they will for sure.)
- Skip holiday cards/letters and card/letter anxiety.
- Stop freaking out.
This list doesn’t seem as crazy as the last one and that feels nice. I doubt I’ll ever cross off “Stop freaking out.” Freaking out is what I do. Maybe I should add “Make peace with freaking out.” to the list. Or “Whore myself out for Xanax.” That sounds like less work.
My blog actually started as a to-do list. It was a way for me to gain some control of my life and to realize that I actually was accomplishing something. It gets so easy to get down on ourselves, so it’s good to see just how many things we cross off our lists on a daily basis — starting with and including getting out of bed, getting the kids dressed and fed, getting them to school, and oh yeah — remembering to pick them up.