I’m a to-do list kind of gal.
Every night, I sit down and write out a to-do list with all the things I think I should do the next day.
But my to-do list has a down side.
Somewhere along the way, the idea of having a blank to-do list, of setting aside a day for the sole purpose of relaxing, became unacceptable.
So, instead of admitting that sometimes I need a day to rest, I started lying to myself. I dutifully wrote down the things that I thought I “should” do on my to-do list, secretly knowing I wasn’t going to do them.
Like I did for today.
Yesterday, I was just getting over being sick. And last night, even before I went to bed, I knew that what I really needed, more than getting a bunch of stuff done, was to give myself a day to recover.
But the idea of leaving a blank on my to-do list was more than I could bear. So, like I do every night, I dutifully wrote out a list of things to do.
Today was a sunny day. And, like Tiggers sometimes do on sunny days, I took a nap and soaked in some sunrays. It was just what I needed. But, unfortunately, a little voice in the back of my mind kept reminding me of things I thought I should be doing.
I couldn’t help but wonder, as I basked in the sun’s warmth, how much more restful would today have been if I hadn’t fretted about not having accomplished anything? If I had simply left my to-do list blank?
Unfortunately, going to bed with a blank to-do list for the next day is a bigger step than I’m ready to take at this stage of my personal growth. Maybe someday. But not now.
However, after a day of napping, I have come up with an acceptable solution.
Next time I really need a day off, I’m going to write this on my to-do list:
- Rest
- Nap
- Veg
- Maybe read something
- Maybe not
That way, instead of spending the day fretting about all the things I failed to do, I can bask in the joy of knowing that at the end of the day, I will be able to cross off every single item on my list :-)!
I am, after all, a to-do list kind of gal!
That’s a great idea: writing down things to do that aren’t “work”!
The list could include: ban negative thoughts, dwell on our blessings, breath slowly………………..
My mother, when she tells me about her activities planned for the next week, will include a day or two which she calls “Ruhetag” – that means Day of Rest, and those are often her favorite days.
That’s what the original Sunday used to be, like the Shabbat………….but our desire to always DO something overcomes our need to RELAX and enjoy!
Wendy
Wendy – yes, it is challenging to get over the feeling that we must always be doing something. But I’m working on it!