Last summer I had the brilliant idea to create a massive to-do list that I could refer back to when my days started seeming listless. Yes, I am, sadly, the type of person who feels the need to structure her leisure time. I am not a control freak, just really, really indecisive and anxious. Without direction, I am liable to find some mindless activity (currently a rotation of browsing Facebook, Bloglovin, and Pinterest), perform it for hours straight, skip meals or eat junk, and forget to take showers or brush my teeth. Surely you can see the need to avoid this situation if possible, right?
Last year's plan worked beautifully. I went back to school feeling refreshed and ready to tackle a new year. For whatever reason, I didn't quite apply that idea again this year. For the most part, I've kept myself busy, but I have kind of just randomly chosen projects, which sometimes leaves me feeling overwhelmed or at a loss for what to do next. When I haven't fully committed to something in some tangible way (like writing or typing it on a to-do list), it has a tendency to just rattle around in my brain, causing me anxiety.
For this reason, I have decided to write an end-of-the-summer to-do list today. I am back at work on August 4, and I am going to do my best to use these last few weeks wisely productively happily. To help me reach this goal (and increase my overall sense of well-being), I've made a few decisions.
- I really don't care about doing craft tutorials, and I am pretty sure I suck at writing them anyway. Therefore, all stress, guilt or anxiety related to said imaginary posts shall be eliminated. Forever.
- This blog is for me. I have absolutely no obligation to try to make it popular, write regular posts, or do things to interest other people. It's my happy place, so it also will no longer cause me any stress, guilt, or anxiety.
- I want to keep blogging, and more specifically, I want to keep building The Everyday Celiac. My weekly posts may not be stellar, but they have some merit, and I did a great job on the stand-alone pages. Overall, it has the potential to be a relatively useful resource for people who are newly diagnosed with celiac disease, and it has already made it easier for me to share my knowledge with "friends of a friend" who are new to the gluten-free world. I got really sick of writing 1500 word e-mails about being gluten-free every couple of months, but I loved helping other people in my situation. That's why I created the blog in the first place.
- I want to improve my home improvement skills, and more importantly, my home improvement confidence. As a result, I MUST complete those simple projects that have been hanging over my head since last summer and no longer let Derek's interest level hold me back.
- Brannon is important to me, and he is bored. I need to build in some out-of-the-box, active play for him and or involve him in my activities as much as possible. It's not so much that time is fleeting or that he is miserable, as that he
needsdeserves a playmate, and I absolutely have time for him. - Being creative makes me happy, but only if I do it on my own terms. I've got to stop choosing projects in order to prove something to others. If it doesn't fit my tastes and I am unlikely to make it as a gift, I don't need to pin it.
- K.I.S.S.: Keep it simple stupid.
- Let go of just in case and free your life of mental, physical, and emotional clutter. Let go of what no longer matters TO YOU and hold on to what you really care about.
The End-of-Summer Bucket List 2014
If an item has been
Remove any irrelevant items from the 2013 Summer To-Do List- Install a clothes line on the back porch (even if I never use it)
Repair closet door & install new knobHang first black storage box in craft roomBuy supplies for 2nd and 3rd black storage boxes in craft roomHang 2nd and 3rd black storage boxes in craft roomRe-organize kids art supplies in craft roomPaint the wall patches in Brannon's room- Sew something using Goodwill fabric
Order Brannon's fourth Shutterfly bookReview, revise and edit at least one or two Odyssey study guidesPurge project drawer & boxes of toddler stuff in craft room closet- Wash the car with Brannon
Create a family chore list & start implementing itBuy a dog tag with our information on it- Try at least two new recipes
something with fresh blueberries(Blueberry Snack Cake via Pinterest)- something with shrimp OR Thai noodles
- Bake cookies at least once
- Identify 2 or 3 specific activities to do with Brannon before school starts
- Paint & hang birdhouse
Make kindergarten count-down paper chainVisit "kid water fountain" at least once moreGo to Diamondbacks game (Uncle Devin's treat!)Visit the temple at least three timesAmy's endowmentJaren's & Amy's sealingEndowment session with the quadWrap gifts for Amy & ShailynChoose format & organize pictures for Brannon's 5th photo bookComplete two more posts for The Everyday CeliacCoconut-Lime Quinoa Salad recipe reviewCan I be a [gluten-free] foodie?Wash both couch slipcoversSew green chevron pillow cover
Originally, I listed these items as part of the bucket list, but then I remembered how bummed out I get when I can't simply cross out ongoing items like these. Hopefully, by keeping them separate, that frustration won't be a problem.
- Work on temple altar cloth for at least 45 minutes each day
- Play with Brannon at least 20 minutes every day
- Include Brannon in my activities whenever possible
- Get more active & include Doc, Derek & Brannon
- Enjoy my creativity & encourage Brannon's as well
- Work on Brannon's kindergarten prep book
- Continue having low-key Family Home Evenings
