To Do or Not To Do

To Do or Not To Do

Mastering My To-Don’t List

by @ambthegoddess
Sometimes my mind feels like a subway station… in the heart of a tornado… during a zombie apocalypse! My thoughts will start racing so rapidly that it eventually feels like my head is exploding. What might start off as “I wonder what I can have for a snack?” somehow has snowballed into “How much wood would I need to build a greenhouse?” Next thing you know, I’m googling gardening tips while my stomach is doing backflips. I don’t even have access to a backyard! My lack of chill has led to migraines, insomnia, and panic attacks. I may not be able to always control my environment, but I do have a say-so in my reactions. I find the calm in calamity by combating my anxiety with a variety of coping skills. One of my favorite tools I use to declutter my mind is the to-do list; to spice it up a bit, I suggest a to-don’t list!I’m sure many can admit to adding an already-completed task to their to-do list! I definitely know I’m guilty! Progress becomes addictive. When I see a check, I become more motivated to earn more! Fortunately, you are in complete control, so a teeny bit of cheating for encouragement is allowed! What I absolutely do not condone myself doing is checking off something before I do it! You never know what can pop up and hinder you from finishing!

There has been a few times I have written my to-do list using my Notes App on my iPhone. However, most times I prefer old school pen and paper. This is no different for my to-don’t list! My imperfect handwriting and doodling are my way of making my list special.I make sure to include the date. I might give myself two weeks to see a change. In order to hold myself accountable, I make specific and realistic goals! Imagine me putting “eating unhealthy” instead of “drink pop on weekdays”! Broad goals can get way to complicated, because it becomes harder to pinpoint achievement. I keep my list short sometimes, so I don’t lose focus.

Organizing my goals in lists always seems to help me. Even if I do not complete the list, I know I’m always more productive than if I had not made one at all. There have been times I only complete one task and am confident I would have done none without the list. It also helps to know that all my problems aren’t just swarming in my head like bees. I can make a plan with actual solutions.

I have made it a priority to master the yin and yang in my life. I will keep balance in my life by focusing  on the positive, but not neglecting negative. I will remain humble by never forgetting my flaws. I have a lot of bad habits that I have the power to change. It won’t happen overnight, but I decide to take it one day at a time. One check mark at a time!

-@ambthegoddess

 

Author: solflowerstudio

Wellness Blog 🌻 This platform is dedicated to holistic health with a dash of culture and motherhood!

40 thoughts

  1. I totally agree with not putting a to do list on your iPhone, I’d much rather right it down! I have a better chance of doing my to do list. To do lists really help me get much more done! Thanks for this great read!

  2. I think you have many of the same trials and tribulations as many of us. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with all the things I need to do and need to step back for a period of time.

  3. Having that kind of list to work off of does seem to be a good strategy. I can't stand when I'm procrastinating things I could get done in a day!

  4. I am right there with you… What starts as a simple to-do sprirals into a huge project and me stressing but I do love my check list… It helps to keep me grounded and calm 🙂

  5. I know what you mean about having a busy mind. We love to write lists too. It helps to keep everything under control and in a bit of an order – or we would be frantically rushing from task to task without a break. Fab idea to have a don't list – i'll have to try it this week!

  6. To-Dos are always helpful when a person start to realize he/she needs to get organized :-DP.S. I use Evernote for my ToDos and Social Champ for scheduling my daily social media.

  7. I love listing things to get done. For me, not only do I get satisfaction in completing the goal, I also get much satisfaction in, get this, crossing the item off my list when finished! It feels good knowing that I’ve achieved a small goal! I’m also a visual learner, meaning, if I see it, I’ll have a better chance of remembering it vs. phone app. I love this article!! Thank you for sharing.

Leave a Reply