We wrote about lists last week, and I happen to have a very lengthy to-do list staring me down right now. Mine is two columns, going on two pages, and it doesn’t even include the laundry staring angrily at me from the hamper (yes, I have angry laundry) or the dozens of things I promise I will get to one day (like sorting through the receipts for five months of book-related travel – can’t imagine why that one never sounds like fun).
There are times when even the fun stuff, like catching up with friends or going to the gym, starts to feel like one more item on a neverending to-do list.
So today I am making a freedom list, full of things that never, ever feel like they belong on a to-do list, or, if I put them on there, it’s only for the satisfaction of crossing them off.
Deb Eleanor’s Freedom List
1. Manicure/pedicure
2. Reading books not for research, reviews, reciprocity, or any other “R” word
3. Pool and beach time
4. Writing without an assignment or deadline
5. Time with my sweetie
What’s on your freedom list?
Well today is the start of ESY – Extended School Year services for special education and my three girls will be on their way to school in T minus 100 minutes.
F-R-E-E-D-E-S-Y-O-M.
🙂
Woohoo! I’m guessing your to-do list…er…stickies… are still a mile long, but maybe you can get some of them knocked out. Happy ESY!
Reading for pleasure definitely tops my “Freedom List” (nice idea!). Watching something silly on TV with my honey is on there, too. Taking a moment to do nothing but close my eyes and daydream is also pretty high up there. Just letting my mind off its Must-Do leash for a while is like slipping off shoes that pinch.
(Sorry I haven’t been around this past week — I had to zip off to good ol’ San Antone for my mom’s emergency bypass surgery. She’s doing well now, so I ought to be able to get back into my regular routine soon.)
So glad your mom is doing better, Linda!
I am the worst at doing nothing. I love that part of yoga, but I stink at it! Good reminder that doing nothing is something that should be on our to-do lists!
Glad to hear your mom is okay.
I love that your #5 is spending more time with me. I feel the same way.
Seriously, what a lovely list! I especially like reading books just for fun. This weekend I read one for a blurb and one for fun (“Before I Sleep”). And also got in a little beach time!
Teehee, you are so funny.
Reading at the beach is one of my favorite things to do! Hrmm….maybe I didn’t think through this Colorado thing too well…
I love the idea of a Freedom List! I need to make one for myself.
I think we all should!
Reading for pleasure – YES. On my list too.
Other items: eating fresh fruit, writing without a deadline, phone calls with good friends, browsing in my favorite bookshops. What a great list idea!
Mmm…fresh fruit and bookstore browsing. Too bad Tattered Cover won’t let me drip peach juice all over their carpets!
Love this idea!
Reading is always at the top!
Doing something arty- I like to make my own cards
Writing
Visiting blogs-authors, book bloggers, artists
Ooh, I’m jealous of the arty. I have no artistic talent – that would be a great and freeing thing to be able to do!
I have always believed that an artist is anyone that uses their imagination to create something out of nothing-I have always considered writers as artists. That means all of you wonderful Debs are artists in my book! 🙂
I particularly love #2! I’ve always adored reading, but I have to confess it ends up feeling like a chore sometimes now because it’s so often tied to research or reciprocity. I read a couple of brainless selections for pure pleasure on my flight to/from New York last week, and it was HEAVENLY.
Tawna
It’s interesting, isn’t it, how becoming an author changes your relationship with books and writing? I definitely have much less time to read, period, and even less of that for “free reading”.
I’m glad you were able to sneak some in!
Oh, Eleanor, this is one list I COULD make. Honestly, I am the worst list-maker (and you think laundry gets angry–you’ve never seen angry DUST!) but I’d surely love a list like this. If all to-dos were this delicious, I’d be a convert in no time…
I think the key is to sneak a few of these onto our regular to-do lists. I should go re-do mine!
I’m all for starting a band called Angry Dust. I’ll play the calliope.
Totally relate — I’ve had many moments where I have to smack myself in the head because I’m feeling so overwhelmed by my to-do list that the things I love most feel like obligations and not pleasures. No more! Time with my daughter, time with my husband, time with friends — these are life’s true pleasures, regardless of what tower of Musts is looming over my head.
Those… and stand-up paddleboarding. There is always time for stand-up paddleboarding.
You and Tawna have both done this now – I must try it! Wait, I just said must…
I just love that manicure/pedicure is at the top of your list. 🙂 This makes me love you all the more! xo