Must-Do List
Over the weekend, a friend of mine mentioned that he had sat out a recent company fire drill by slipping into the men’s room as the rest of his peers paraded out. He worked email on his laptop until they returned. He’s retiring and, as a short-timer, just didn’t feel like participating in what was probably his 50th career fire drill.
In high school, we called it senioritis; symptoms included laziness, fashion negligence, and a generally dismissive attitude.
This time of year seems to awaken this mindset in people regardless of whether they have a scholastic affiliation or not. There’s a certain indolence common to the onset of vacation season that seems to stifle to-do listing. Instead of our lists being all the things we’d like to accomplish, they become only the things we have to accomplish. Call it a “must-do” list.
While this may trigger all kinds of alarms for the Type A personalities among us, there is a certain value to this seasonal apathy. With it comes an inherent winnowing of our elaborate plans. It simplifies and prioritizes for us.
It follows the same logic as the inventory found at a vacation cabin. There aren’t formal sets of china or fancy gadgets in the kitchen. You won’t find three extra pairs of scissors in a drawer or boxes and boxes of holiday decorations taking up space. Only the must-haves are in attendance, those items that satisfy the basic needs of the occupants.
That’s part of the freedom those places inspire…fewer responsibilities, fewer choices, less maintenance, and subsequently, shorter lists. Yet, it seems that all the necessary activity gets done. Stress is reduced. Enjoyment is heightened.
The trick is to bring that same focus to our daily living, to intentionally dismiss that which doesn’t move us closer to our authentic selves. We only get one life. How will we make the most of it?
How will we build our lives around the things that we truly cannot go without?
3 Comments
Cindy
Shared! Thank you.
Kristi
I love this. Sometimes I overdo my lists to the point I stress out and feel a lot of anxiety if I don’t cross off all the items. But guess what? I did that to MYSELF. Sometimes I stop my own crazy and ask myself what truly needs to get done and what can wait. What do I WANT to do versus what I probably NEED to do. Great thoughts!
Bobby Burden
You just described why I like our camper. The effortless push button system to operate the jacks, stabilizers, and awning, makes for a less than thirty minute set up, And five more to put out the lawn chairs. And breath the fresh oxygen from the woods.
I’m also grateful for the decision to downsize our home. No more climbing three sets of stairs, or cleaning three extra bedrooms, and an extra living room. One floor with half the square footage is much more comfortable and efficient. Leaves plenty of time to plan to go to the woods.
Life “over the hill” helps helped to inspire these thoughts and plans. Including but not limited to, hiring a few of those responsibilities that I did for years “on the other side of the hill”.
I’ve learned that the basics in life are closer to being all I need. Which leaves more time for what brings me joy.
Thanks for reminding me that what I’m doing today for myself is paying off.