Whether you’ve known me for 10 days or 10 years, odds are you’ve probably noticed that I carry around countless lists. From my agenda, to my multiple, lined legal pads, you’ll find them just about everywhere in my day-to-day life. Just recently I’ve come to realize the central role that lists play in the organization of my thoughts and schedule.
I most likely picked up the habit from my mother at young age, as she would always tell me to write things down in the car or in the kitchen, and I eventually became so accustomed to it that it must’ve stuck with me over the years. One of the most common surfaces for my lists are Post-it notes, which absolutely cover my agenda, laptop, back of my phone, the mirror in my room, and especially the shelf right above my desk.
Now at this point you may find yourself wondering, “How can she possibly have so many lists?” After my list-making trend was brought up several times by friends and family, I began asking myself the same question and I believe the answer is as follows:
To me, lists serve a much greater purpose than just merely reminding me of the infinite responsibilities and commitments that I have in my life; rather, I fundamentally believe that my list-making madness is a form of reflection. Taking time in my busy day to put pen to paper and organize my thoughts helps me see the rest of my life more clearly. Creating a physical list that I can hold and take with me allows me to slow down time instead of being trapped in the digital and computer world where everything seems to be filed away for you.
In a lot of ways, I believe writing lists is like a kind of meditation. Each day I take time to consolidate, check off, and expand lists. I take the time to write down things that I am grateful for, things that I want to improve, and even qualities that define who I am. This way, when my faith waivers or during a particularly challenging day, I am able to turn to those places and see those lists in my own handwriting and give myself strength to keep working hard.
Of course beyond my reflective lists, I also have grocery lists, shopping lists, lists of long-term projects, my work schedule, lists of people who I have been meaning to catch up with, and people I need to email or call, anything at all. I truly believe that it all boils down to mindfulness at the end of the day, and practicing self-care. Lists are very much my go-to method of reducing stress, improving self-love, and improving mental clarity. I even find that I sleep immensely better when I just have a pen and Post-it note on my bedside table to write things down before hitting the hay.
So I encourage all of you to explore ways to improve mindfulness in your daily lives, because even if it's as simple as jotting down your thoughts in the form of a journal, blog, or lists, taking time to write about your life is vastly underrated and overlooked.
