"To Do"

Truth be told most of us constantly make "to do" lists that we try to follow and consistently frustrate ourselves in doing so. Yet we continue to make our "to do" lists in hope that this is the day that we WILL get it ALL done! Believe me, I am there with you.

I am so anal and such a firm believer of having a plan. I strive to stay "organized" and consistently frustrate myself to tears (sometimes) because I get so overwhelmed. Trust me, I've been stressed out about this a lot more frequently than I care to admit.

I've read somewhere that it is best to make a short list of your "to do" list. That is, 3-4 important things that you MUST get done that day. Try to stick to that list and after you've completed those 3 or 4 things then rest. Relax. Try not to think about those other things that you have on your "to do" list.

Here's my problem: I can't relax. I drive myself nuts trying to get everything done. I always "over -plan" by assuming that I can complete more things on my list than I even have time or energy to do. Then of course with young children, there's always "additional to do's" that pop up each day. These "mishaps" happen all the time and things you didn't plan to do that day show their ugly heads and suddenly they seem more important and the other so-called important stuff gets shifted to the back burner for another day. Then they get added to the "to do" list again. And the cycle begins all over.

Why? Oh why?

It's frustrating and very overwhelming.

I'm learning to lower my expectations.

I'm learning that I can "ignore" some of these "must-get-done tasks" and the whole world does not come to an end.

I'm learning that my kids are more important than laundry and cleaning the house.

How do I know this? Because I heard myself telling a friend of mine, who was sharing her frustration about being a stay-at-home mother, not to worry about getting it "ALL" done today. That there will be tomorrow. I was rather stunneed by this advice because for years I struggled with this same concern. It's definitely not easy juggling everything. It really does seem that I can never get it ALL done. That's the real truth: you can never get it ALL done. No matter how depressing it sounds, it's true.

Finally, I'm learning to accept this and I was advising her that the sooner she did as well then the easier things will be for her. Of course, it's not always easy because there are days when I still get overwhelmed and frustrated. But, I am changing and growing. I've learned that I am human, not superhuman.