Lists

[fidgiegirl]

I am typically a list maker.

DH left this morning for his annual fishing trip, and this year, I am feeling drawn (like usual) toward making a list, but also, strongly resisting doing so.

Not sure where that is coming from, but there it is.

I will be working some of the days he's gone, and not working other days. That's part of it - not wanting to "waste" my days off. But why do we have to "accomplish" something to be worthy of spending time on the planet? Why can't I be happy with just reading a book all day long?

I'm thinking that laying out the big events of the summer on the calendar will make it more clear if I do or do not need to make a to-do list. Right now all these camping trips and misc. work days and ideas are just rattling around in there, and I want to do some fun and different stuff this summer, not just putter around the house. In the last six months we've had enough puttering to last us about the next 10 years :) (well, me, anyway!)

What are your feelings on lists? And expectations for yourself on days you don't go to work? Any thoughts?

[razz]

Lists are wonderful, I think.
I list all the things that I need to do in an outing and then figure out the travel flow so that I rarely miss an item or spend too much time driving between things. I also look at what will take heat (frozen food) or risk spoilage (fresh strawberries) and even decide to leave something until it works out better.
I love Fawn's list of items but have a great deal more although, my latest decluttering effort cleared out a lot of excess. I made a list of what I actually need in a week in clothes and seasons and discarded accordingly.
I always go with a grocery list of needed items with some flexibility for surprises that our grocery store will have quite often - bags of heavily discounted bananas or mushrooms that I cook up and/or freeze.

[fidgiegirl]

Ooh razz, you are convincing me. Plus, I love the idea about the grocery store list. Smart!

[artist]

I am a major list maker and planner. I often need to have a list in order to function. I find that if I have a day off and no list of things to do then I don't do anything and the time is more wasted than anything else. That said, my day off list may look something like this: Go to library, go to gym, shower, knit, plan dinner, read, talk long walk with dog etc... So long as I have a game plan I feel good. If I don't have a list for these days then I muddle through and wonder what to do and end up just sitting on the computer and not doing much of anything.

[fidgiegirl]

True, artist. Just because it's a list doesn't mean it can't have fun things on it. I mean, look at me . . . without my list, here I still sit, 3 hours after DH left, still on the computer.

Though I did manage to switch our Internet to Comcast, something I have been anxiously dreading for a while. HATE the hard sell.

[Gregg]

I probably wouldn't get out of bed if it was not on my list. I certainly would get little else done beyond pacing in small, very disoriented circles all day. I even put the things I do every single day on my list. Every once in a while I catch myself adding something that I did to the list even though its already done. Guess it helps me track what I accomplished at the end of the day. It's a sickness really...

[bunnys]

I have a whole notebook for my list making. Man I love that notebook!

I keep all kinds of stuff in it. Lists of food to cook that week, groceries to buy, stuff I have to buy online bc I have to go to a special site, stuff to do that day, week and long term (ongoing, too.)

I also have an area for books I've read, stuff I want to read and quotes I come across that I find especially helpful.

The notebook I've got now is still pretty new and so it doesn't have a lot left in it but I feel like the making/checking off of the lists and compilation of the other stuff in the notebook is an accomplishment in itself.

PS--Fidgiegirl. There's NOT A THING wrong w/ reading a book all day. It's summer! You're a teacher! It's your perogative!

[Tiam]

I'm a teacher also and go through the same pangs of indecision. Is it ok to just sit and read or peruse the internet? Shouldn't I being doing something?

[Maxamillion]

I'd be totally lost without lists!

[fidgiegirl]

Well, I purposely avoided a list this weekend, and I got to do a lot of fun things by just letting the day unfold and not being tethered to that list. I played mini golf with my sister and DBiL, read a book, went to my parents' without any pressure to come home at a certain time because I had to "get my list done." Now I'm going to go on my bike up to the grocery store to pick up a few things, and yes, for that, I will use a list ;)

I think I need to find a balance of these weekends that just unfold and ones that are purposefully productive. It's harder when DH is home because he is VERY much into knowing how the weekend will go and "getting something done." Which is fine, but I always get drug into it :) So I will miss DH on his fishing trip, but also revel in the chance to just be.

[frugal-one]

Every year on April 1 I sit and plan the things we want to do in the summer and PUT it on the calendar for specific days. I plan specific days to just "goof off". If it is not written down we tend to just stay home and work. It also is something to look forward to!

[Gardenarian]

Hi fidgie - I've been going through exactly the same thing! I usually love lists and live by them, but lately - blah.

I'm telling myself that I'm getting closer to becoming a "human being" rather than a "human doing" :)

[fidgiegirl]

Gardenarian! That's exactly how I am feeling! You put it so well.

:)

[pony mom]

Lists are great. Seeing things crossed off means you've accomplished something.

[Gardenarian]

Fidgie - an article on Zen Habit addresses this nicely: "How Being a Control Freak Can Set You Free" (http://zenhabits.net/control-freak/)

[Nella]

For the most part I'm a list maker, just because I wouldn't remember half of what I needed to do/buy without one. On the very rare days when I don't have to have a list to keep me on track, I purposely leave my watch on the dresser. Then every time I look down to see what time it is "'cause I've got stuff to do," I remember that this is a "day off" and I can just go relax and do anything that catches my fancy.

[Float On]

My heart started beating a little faster when I read the title to this thread.
I.Love.Lists.
I keep a little notebook with me for my 'random lists of 10'
If I'm waiting in line at the bank or waiting to pick up the kids or anywhere I have to wait, I pull it out and make a new 10 list. Maybe 10 places I'd like to go, 10 foods I'd like to eat, 10 things I'd buy with $10, etc...etc...etc...
I keep a notebook at home on the buffet with my daily list. Every night I make a list for the next day, whatever I don't get done just moves to the next day (a few things have been on there for ages).

[small & friendly]

Lists? LOL...
I wrote this several years ago and still find it applicable today. :)

Lists.
I love making lists.
Lists help me organize my thoughts.
Lists help me corral my finances. Words and figures, neatly drawn in rows and columns.
Need a recipe?
Add that to a list.
Lunch with a friend?
Add a quick scribble to my list.
Don't remember what's in the checking account?
Make note of that on the list.
Lists make me feel...competent, organized...
that life is under my control.
When I have my list before me, I already feel that sense of accomplishment.
It took thought and effort to compile the list...it has the feel of a job well done.
Ready to march into battle I grab my purse, keys and sunglasses.
Here I come Walmart...
Oh...
One sad note to add to my list: I forgot it at home.

[fidgiegirl]

LOL small & friendly!

[small & friendly]

Hi fidgie - I've been going through exactly the same thing! I usually love lists and live by them, but lately - blah.

I'm telling myself that I'm getting closer to becoming a "human being" rather than a "human doing" :)
Hah! We need a 'like' button! :)

[fidgiegirl]

Loved the article, Gardenarian. That's what I'm talking about. And yet I spent the whole evening planning how to track and attack the mortgage paydown. Bah . . . there must be a balance somewhere.