Hello friends! How’ve you been the past few weeks? I’ve definitely missed my blog and our small community here and am so happy to be back.
I’ve wanted to share this article with you for well over a year now, and coming across it again the other day reminded me of it. It’s about coming to terms with how few items can reasonably make it onto our to-do lists each day if we want to live in a peaceful state.
Since being away from the blog and physically away from home for a 10-day trip, as well as taking care of my daughter this summer, I’ve thought less about to-do lists and more about really sinking into the activities that are right in front of me. It’s not so much that I was preoccupied before, but I was constantly in a rush for some reason. Getting away from my lists and my self-imposed structure was a lovely reprieve and I hope not to get enmeshed in that again.
When a dear friend stopped my frenzy last month and reminded me that I don’t have to do every Life Book weekly assignment or even post on the blog every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I was stunned into calmness and peace. I mean, really, who besides me is watching what I accomplish?
With some perspective gained from being away, I can see that all my rushing was caused by having too much on my list and yet still adding more items to it every day. I know it’s hard to change my basic temperament and that I’m most likely to want to get everything done at once, but I’m getting better at stopping myself and telling myself that something can wait.
So tell me in the comments how you fare at doing fewer things each day, but with more presence and happiness. I’m interested.
What perfect timing! I had just realized that my anxious feeling this past week was the result of having too much to do every day. No one creates my day but ME! When I made a list of everything I thought I SHOULD do every day, including my PT exercises, dog training & exercise, assignments from my Life Coaching Class and a group that I am in, work, gardening, connecting with 3 sick friends etc etc… the list alone was overwhelming! No wonder I want to escape to a cabin in the woods w/o phone access!
Martha Beck, Life Coach, has an exercise called the Body Compass where we notice how each activity on our to-do list FEELS in our body and then rate it on the “Happiness Meter.” When I did this exercise on my to-do list, I was surprised to find that most of the activities on my list did not bring me joy. Some tasks need to go. Some need to be changed. Tasks with more joy need to added! Giving myself permission to do less and rest more is key!
Anna Martinson recently posted…The 90 Second Rule
Anna, that body compass idea is a powerful one. I am going to try it today for sure. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting here. I think so many of us do this to ourselves! Overscheduling is easy to do and feels terrible.
I can completely relate to what you are talking about here. Letting go of the “shoulds” and the “have tos” can make such a positive impact on our lives. I have played more, worked less, spend two days a week caring for my grandson, and have lost 50 lbs. in the last 4 months without trying…a huge testament to the value of enjoying life and staying out of the “fight or flight” or “lack” or “survival” type mentality. To do lists definitely serve a purpose but are the items on our to do lists of true value or not? If not, cross them off that list today!
Michele Bergh recently posted…Life Lesson 13: Do You Want to be Happy??
Wow, Michele, that is AMAZING! Taking care of a grandson has got to keep you active too. I am letting myself do two main tasks per day. Today was taking the cats to the vet (which entailed a lot to get them into their crates, etc., and getting their needed medications afterwards) and doing some painting and blogging. That’s it. I will allow myself to rest after that because I’m exhausted already!
Welcome back from your vacation. And welcome to the more nurturing perspective of letting yourself be in the flow of what’s really calling for your heart’s attention instead of the demands of a to-do list.
I imagine we all struggle with this to some extent, but it’s good to be aware of how much pressure you’re creating for yourself and see how you can ease up. The simplicity movement has lots to teach us about letting go of things that are unjoyful time blackholes. Less really can be more.
Deborah Weber recently posted…Self-Care: V is for…
It’s funny… I have seen the word “simplicity” frequently lately. I think it’s the universe telling me to adopt it. 🙂 And here you are writing about the simplicity movement. Is that a “real” thing?
Welcome home niece! Glad you’re back and I loved the vacation photos.
Thanks! Those are only the first three days. More to come!
For me, taking the August Break via my blog has really been a good way for me to step back and think of my own self-imposed pressures and expectations. I’m finding time to read more and just enjoy life.
It’s good to have you back! Glad to hear that your summer has gone well, that you have had some good family time.
Agree!! I plan to catch up on your posts ASAP. 🙂
“self imposed structure”…..I so get that.
It’s funny how sometimes the controlling we suffer
is at our own hands. We can have so much grace for
others and be just rigid with ourselves, sometimes.
Glad your rest was refreshing and good to see you back:)
-Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson recently posted…Can we talk?
I see you’re taking some time for yourself too. So nice to give ourselves a little breather!