To do or not to do...that is the question
I write lists.
The minute I get a bit panicky about what I have to achieve I write a list.
I write lists on a pad next to the fridge. I write lists on the back of receipts and find them weeks later in the back pocket of my jeans (usually washed) and I write lists on my phone and I am the queen of spreadsheets for the ultimate 'everything list'.
I have several of these on my phone currently in use http://iphone.appstorm.net/roundups/productivity-roundups/25-fantastic-to-do-list-apps-for-iphone/ but obviously I also like to back up these apps with the spreadsheet versions.
I have lists on lists. Here is a list of some of my lists:
- Things that need doing in the house list
Last time anything was ticked off on this list was April 2004.
Of course this list has subheadings and is separated into the food shop and the things I want to buy shop (this list is always being ticked off otherwise we'd starve).
- Things I want for the house list
These range from beautiful things for my kitchen to new items for the boudoir. The boudoir (for those not in the know) is the top floor of my house; used to be an office and now houses my collection of shoes, accessories and clothes. (One of the benefits of being single, you get to choose room function).
See above point on collection of shoes for the boudoir. A girl can never have enough shoes.
This list is quite important and stupidly has things like GET A TATTOO written on it and CLIMB A MOUNTAIN. Both of which I am supposed to be doing before I am 40. I really need to get going on this list.
- Things I must to today list
Always too long this list. And of course completely unachievable.
- Things I should have done yesterday list
See above note on unachievable.
This is the everything list, combines all of the above in a spreadsheet and is often colour coded in priority; depending on my need to avoid ticking anything off the above lists.
Writing lists makes me feel like I have done what I need to do. When I write a list I have achieved.
I know if I did what I was supposed to do, my lists wouldn't take quite so long to write.
But then; what would I write my lists on?
Spinning plates
I spend my life spinning plates, jumping from one plate to another trying to keep them in the air. As I am sure most people do. In fact, at the risk of alienating people, as I am sure most mums do.
Many is the week that I end it with a to do list that not only includes the jobs I need to finish for work but also the jobs I need to start as a mum. Not to mention the whole household jobs (my front door has needed painting for two years).
I sometimes feel like weekends are about ticking boxes - mainly in the mum box.
Be good mum, drink wine, play with small things, drink wine, see friends, drink wine, ferry small things to sporting activities, then drink wine and so it goes on.
And then there is the odd weekend when it all just comes together. The perfect weekend culminating in the perfect Sunday.
This weekend was my perfect weekend.
And the reason it's been a perfect weekend is simply because I feel like I have been good mum without having to think about ticking any boxes. In fact I haven't done much thunking all weekend.
The washing basket is still full, the ironing mountain is still high (not that I do that anyway) and the dentist appointments still need to be made but this weekend has just worked.
It started on Friday evening with an impromptu night out with a couple of girlfriends putting the world to rights over a bottle of Shiraz and some tapas. Saturday was all about some quality time with the nearly 10 year old and her inaugural concert involving JLS and thousands of screaming girls.
A lie-in on Sunday followed by a netball match where the nearly 10 year old got 'man of the match' has been followed by the arrival of my cousins and their little ones. The afternoon - an afternoon of house wrecking for the small things and gossip and catch up for the grown-ups.
The french doors were open, a tent was erected (sort of) in the garden and the Sunday dinner was inhaled. And this was all followed up by a glass of wine over the garden fence with the neighbours.
The small things are now in the land of nod and I am at one with the couch.
The best bit of this weekend - I don't feel like I have ticked any boxes.
I don't feel like I have done something I had to to keep the plates spinning. I just did.
The weekend just happened and I am content.
Here's to many more weekends like this.
