‘To-Don’t’ List…..
We have all heard of a ‘to do’ list….but have you ever heard of a ‘to don’t’ list? I never did- until this morning! As you know, I’m a HUGE fan of to do lists. There is something incredibly satisfying about accomplishing a task and crossing it off. Sometimes I even complete the task, then add it to the to do list, just to cross it off (you know you do too!) But this morning when I was driving, I heard a discussion on the radio about ‘to don’t lists’ and I’m here for it.
What is a to don’t list? Basically it’s a list of things you can take off of your plate or a list of mantras that you promise to yourself (things you won’t do or beliefs you won’t buy into). I found this online- “What is a To-Don't List in the Context of Productivity? A to-don't list represents a strategic compilation of activities, behaviors, or commitments that individuals consciously opt to avoid to maintain optimal productivity and mental clarity.”
Here is my To-Don’t List today:
Leaf clean up- hear me out- I moved into my house 2 years ago and the yard is HUGE, with so many leaves. I’ve been telling myself for 2 years that I’m going to clean it up. I come up with a plan, I see it on my to do list and I keep finding other things to do instead. The task eventually moves to my next to do list, only to be ignored again and again. So I’m taking it off my list- I’m going to give that to someone else! Before the snow falls, I’ll call someone to come do yarn clean up. I already feel lighter!
I’ve also moved dating to my to don’t list. Not that I ever wrote it down on my to do list but it was always in my head as something I ‘should’ do. I’m over it. I’ve been divorced since 2014 and have dated on and off but just haven’t found the right one yet. It’s alot of work to date so I’m letting that one go. I’m not pursuing anything, I’m DONE with dating apps and I’m focusing on me, my new career paths and my boys. So freeing!
I’m currently sneaking at a peak at my to do list out of the corner of my eye and it’s aggressive. I don’t have my boys this weekend (they are with dad) and I’m looking forward to checking off these items that I know I need to do. Some of them will be extremely satisfying and some of them I am dreading (but I can’t move them to my to don’t list b/c they are part of adulting, lol).
Are we a fan of to don’t lists?! I like the reality of it all. There are some things that we just need to take off of our plate. Someone else can do it. Or, like my dating outlook….it wasn’t serving me anymore. I found dating stressful and ‘work.’ At 42, I know who I am, what I want, and what is important to me. Dating takes time and patience and right now I don’t have much of either! If the right one comes along, I’ll know and maybe he won't require much work. If not, my life is full!
Happy Friday! Let me know what you add to your ‘to don’t list’ this weekend! DM me on instagram- I’m excited to see where this conversation goes!
xo,
Stacey
