I’m obsessed with To-Do lists. It’s the only way I can get through a day and accomplish something. Even if I don’t finish the whole list, I know that I definitely tried to. Because its sitting there, watching my every move, my every Facebook like; waiting desperately for me to check off a task. Since my love of lists expands to just lists in general (I literally have a journal that is all list making prompts), I decided to make a To-Don’t List. A list of all the things I (or we) shouldn’t do.

“Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game”
Yes, I stole this quote from A Cinderella Story, but it is so important! I have always feared being told “no”, or things not working out how I want them to, or people thinking that I’m dumb for asking questions, and being embarrassed about it. Because of that for a long time I didn’t ask questions or I didn’t take chances. Now, I ask questions all the time, and I will always vow that there is never a stupid question if your end goal is to learn and grow.

Don’t let other people’s personalities make you feel insignificant
This is something that I need to remind myself daily. There will be people in your lifetime that will just be sickening to be around because they just radiate anger, hate, and just over all foul moods. I struggle with blaming myself for other people’s bad moods because I am such a people pleaser. So, daily reminders that just because the person that I am around is breathing negativity, doesn’t mean I must absorb it and make it my own problem.

Don’t keep checking your phone for the message that will never come
Technology is addicting, and a habit that I am not willing to give up easily is checking my phone, even though I know it hasn't rung. What I want to hear won’t be there waiting.

Don’t beat yourself up for that one lapse in judgment
Life goes on. You’ll be stronger after you acknowledge and accept it.

Don’t forget to write things down
You will forget that appointment, or that phone number, or that awesome memory. Remember, I LOVE LISTS.

Don’t let time slip away
It can be easy to get consumed by busy lives and forget to watch the world around us. Notice the leaves changing in the fall. Or don’t forget that while you’re getting older, so is all your loved ones. Make time, and savor it.

Don’t say ‘I love you’ when you don’t mean it
Just don’t.

Don’t expect to get what you give
My favorite way to put this is, don’t give when you’re expecting something in return, because that’s not really giving, is it?

Share with me what would be on your own To-Don't List!