List obsession
I like lists.
I have a chalkboard in my kitchen. On it, I keep a running tally of things to do. Some items I triumphantly erase within a day ("make grocery list" is so far all I've erased today) while others languish for weeks. Or longer. (I believe "update photo albums" finally got stealthily erased out of guilt because I couldn't stand to see the undone item staring me in the face anymore).
I don't put every-day items on there ("make dinner" and "get dressed" are not important enough to rate to-do list status.) But reminders for appointments, people to call, projects that must be done, even semi-regular but not every-day events get put on the chalkboard. (You wouldn't think that two intelligent people like Eric and myself would need a written reminder to take the garbage out, and yet I can't count the number of Tuesday mornings I've found myself hauling the bins out to the curb in my bathrobe at 6 a.m. because we didn't remember to do it the night before).
In addition to the chalkboard, I often have smaller, paper lists of work things to do or phone calls to make strewn across my desk. I used to put sticky notes all over the edges of my computer monitor at work. A boss once commented that he had never seen so many sticky notes on one desk.
I am even one of those silly girls who made a list of all the things I was looking for in a future husband. (And yes, he fulfills every item on the list).
I've always felt a bit nuts for needing so much written reinforcement in my daily routine, and for getting as much satisfaction as I do from crossing things off my list. So I was glad to find this blog and learn that I am not alone in my list obsession. Not only are there other list-ers out there, there are hundreds of them! There's a blog about them! Even a book. Check out the Nov. 14 post. Apparently I am not alone in occasionally even writing down things I've already done, just so I can cross them off. At least I've never made a "to-don't list."
I'm not that weird. Yet.
I have a chalkboard in my kitchen. On it, I keep a running tally of things to do. Some items I triumphantly erase within a day ("make grocery list" is so far all I've erased today) while others languish for weeks. Or longer. (I believe "update photo albums" finally got stealthily erased out of guilt because I couldn't stand to see the undone item staring me in the face anymore).
I don't put every-day items on there ("make dinner" and "get dressed" are not important enough to rate to-do list status.) But reminders for appointments, people to call, projects that must be done, even semi-regular but not every-day events get put on the chalkboard. (You wouldn't think that two intelligent people like Eric and myself would need a written reminder to take the garbage out, and yet I can't count the number of Tuesday mornings I've found myself hauling the bins out to the curb in my bathrobe at 6 a.m. because we didn't remember to do it the night before).
In addition to the chalkboard, I often have smaller, paper lists of work things to do or phone calls to make strewn across my desk. I used to put sticky notes all over the edges of my computer monitor at work. A boss once commented that he had never seen so many sticky notes on one desk.
I am even one of those silly girls who made a list of all the things I was looking for in a future husband. (And yes, he fulfills every item on the list).
I've always felt a bit nuts for needing so much written reinforcement in my daily routine, and for getting as much satisfaction as I do from crossing things off my list. So I was glad to find this blog and learn that I am not alone in my list obsession. Not only are there other list-ers out there, there are hundreds of them! There's a blog about them! Even a book. Check out the Nov. 14 post. Apparently I am not alone in occasionally even writing down things I've already done, just so I can cross them off. At least I've never made a "to-don't list."
I'm not that weird. Yet.
8 comments:
Almost every item? What did I miss?
An update: After conferring with Eric and checking with the Husband List (yes, I still have it), I have changed the above posting to state that he fulfills every item on the List. I had a quibble about giving massages and foot rubs. However, the List does not state the frequency with which such massages must be given; just that Husband must have the ability to give such massages. He does indeed possess such ability. (And in fairness to him, while frequent--even daily--massages would be nice, I hardly ever ask for them. So how is he supposed to know?)
I'm a big list-writer, too. Sometimes I'll finish an assignment then look in my organizer only to find I didn't write it down. In which case I write it down then cross it off. ohh the satisfaction! :)
I keep three running lists. The first is a little notebook in my purse. That's my "need to buy" list; it includes groceries and household items. The second is a larger notebook that I write all my to-do things in which stays in the kitchen. My third list is usually a scrap of paper or a reciept. This one I actually throw away because it's talking points. Really! If I need to have a conversation with someone (for example, my landlady) I write down the points I want to make and then toss it when I'm done.
It's wonderful having lists. They give you such a sense of accomplishment when things get crossed off or the whole list can be thrown away.
My girlfriends in high school used to make fun of my list-making. They would laugh at me when I would often state, "just a minute, let me write that down."
Then life went on and no one seemed to notice or comment on my list making...until I became a parent. I realized once again what a list person I am when my kids started writing lists as part of their play. Or they will say things like, "this is my list." As they carry around a piece of scrap paper.
I found your blog when I googled "obsession with lists" in hopes of curing my obsession with lists.
You're my hero.
I also have an obsession with lists however, I never cross anything off them mostly due to my lack of keeping them. I have become very frustrated with my innability to keep my lists and use them that I just went a bought a notebook to keep them all in. I guess you could say it's kind of like a journal but, I'm thinking I might have to upgrade to a binder so that I can catagorize my lists. Possibly even create table of contents...which now that I'm thinking about it, is also a list. Wow, I need help lol!
I am so glad I came across this blog. For years I have been struggling with my endless lists. I put lists in my phone but then seem to write down the same list on a small piece of paper just so i can cross them off. I also have a dry erase board in my kitchen where some of the household to do's are listed even though they are on my phone list and paper list. I often find myself reading the list over and over again as well.I thought i was alone in my obsession. Does anyone have any advice on how to stop!
Post a Comment