Simple Things

I make lists.  I have notebooks with various lists all over the house.  When I feel overwhelmed, I begin a new list.  I love checking stuff off, and love the feeling of accomplishment that gives me.  So why am I feeling lately so overwhelmed when I look at my list?  So much is getting crossed off, but the list keeps on growing and growing so it seems endless.  I've stumbled upon a blog (that I am now addicted to), and while much of it is stellar information and ideas, one basic simple thing has popped out at me that helps answer why my to-do lists are killing me.  Each day, define your three most important tasks.  That's it.  Out of your list, make three things the MIT's and do them.  Seems like a no-brainer right?  But here's the thing.  In her examples, she has things like "spend quality time with family - picnic?" and "tell Sue funny joke" and all kinds of other relationship related things.  Woah.  You mean I can (and should) put those things on my list?  And that they can (and should) be on the MIT's?  Hallelujah!  It's only been two days of trying this and I am already feeling a difference.  It really is the simple things that make all of the difference. 

Digging out

My whole life it seems I've been working so hard.  Moving so fast.  And sometimes getting it all done.  How on earth have I survived so long at this speed?  I think my time for chaotic squeaking by is up, and as difficult as it is to let the madness go, it has to stop.  Clearly, I have been creating things to keep myself occupied - even creating "work" so I can avoid other things on the to-do list. 

I was at the home of a client the other day, and I walked by the moms desk.  It was a small, neat, simple wooden desk, with a notebook on top of a clear space.  She had a love note from her husband pinned to the wall, and a small flower in a vase.  It was a picture out of a magazine,  but this woman lives like this.  Now, I have had public spaces that look like house beautiful, but my desk has always been organized chaos.  Seeing this lovely scene with one planning book made me furiously jealous.  I want that life.  The one where I can be methodical and neat and orderly.  Where I can walk to my desk and not get sick to my stomach looking at the piles of crap that I "have" to go through. 

That was a few weeks ago, and that combined with a few other "aha'" moments, I'm finally doing it.  One step at a time.  I have a small notebook that I now carry everywhere I go, and I jot my "to-do's" in there as I think of them.  I've even delegated a few to Honey.  My menu and grocery list are in there, as well as project ideas for the house and kids.  I've been shredding papers, reorganizing files, and creating a yard sale/freecycle pile.  I've done a bit of yoga and some meditation.  I've even begun thinking about what life would be like with just one focus.  That's a whole complicated thought process, and my hang ups about being productive, busy, important, and "using my degrees" are messing with my head.   But I'm thinking about it, which a big deal. 

I'd like to live a more purposeful life.  Right now it feels a bit like a waiting game, but I can feel the sands shifting.  Here's to a calmer more peaceful me.