I tend to feel overwhelmed when there is too much going on in my life, especially when I’m not able to balance work and home. Since I’m staying at home for now (with the possibility of a part-time job, at home) I think it is time to be over with the “I don’t have time” excuses. But like I said, I tend to get overwhelmed and I don’t know where to start.
General to-do lists don’t seem to do it for me. Because at the end of the day, if for any reason I don’t cross out every single item, I feel frustrated and under-accomplished (is that a word?). That’s because just any list gets too long. But weekly lists? Those are awesome! You tackle your little tasks every day, and when Sunday comes (I start my week on Mondays) you feel like you actually did something.
I know my husband is reading this and laughing at me and thinking I shouldn’t be proud for discovering the world is not flat. He keeps telling me I have to make a list of things to do. He keeps telling me there is no other way I can end the anxiety. What he didn’t know is that the weekly list was the RIGHT solution for my craziness.
So this morning I printed a very simple one, filled in the blanks for Monday and that’s what I’m going to worry about now. Tomorrow will be another day. Now I just have to detach myself from the computer and get productive.
My to-do list has three sections. The top part is what absolutely must be done today without fail. The second is what needs to get done during the week and any sort of due dates coming up. The third is the lofty long term goals or those projects that you’d really like to do and never have time for (let’s dust those baseboards behind the bed!). When too many on the list are marked out, I recopy them to a new sheet. That works great for me because I don’t feel badly if something doesn’t get marked off the list – and I am always keeping in mind what is coming up. I am a procrastinator by nature so it keeps me from forgetting, too. :-)
I’m glad you are able to find an outlet for your need for routine and order. I would make a weekly (even daily) to do list, but I’m a procrastinator in every fashion. You’re doing good.