A Backwards List for Today
I just didn't have it in me today to write up a list and work my way down it, so I decided to do a backwards list, and I wrote down everything--after I achieved it.
submitted a batch of poems to a journal
picked the garden
stripped my bed
did a white laundry load
started the sourdough bread
cleaned the birdcage
cleared and wiped the table
dusted the living room and dining room
read two days' worth of Bible
dealt with a tricky work email
vacuumed the front of the house
put away my laundry
made up my bed with clean sheets
finished two wrap cardigans for my etsy shop
signed Daisy up for Safe Sitters at the hospital
picked up things at Lowe's and Walmart
interviewed two clients by phone
worked on a poem
made dinner
baked the sourdough loaves
planted three butterfly bushes, one foxglove, and two Russian sage plants
There were some other little things, but that was the bulk of my day. Writing it all down I can see why the weekend seems like such a good idea.
13 comments:
I'm glad to hear that, on occasion, you too can't face a list Anna. I'm a list woman too but just sometimes it overwhelms doesn't it. I l googled the Safe Sitters program, what a marvellous idea!
Heavens! I don't usually comment, but that list of achievements has provoked me into it! Backwards lists are indeed sometimes the best idea.
Helen
That was quite a day, Anna. I'm very encouraged by your diligence.
Such a productive day! And you so seamlessly work in both work and domestic chores. Wonderful!
I think I need to start doing backwards lists on those days that feel discouraging. Sometimes I feel like I hav accomplished nothing, when really I have. Today, I was shocked to realize that it takes me 50 Minutes to hand water the garden and new landscaping plants! (And that was with a helper.) Much longer than I realized, but a peaceful part of the day.
Impressive list!
A great idea!
I agree with the first anonymous! Thanks for the inspiration. At 53 and after years of cleaning, cooking etc. I am in serious need of some inspiration. Maybe now, I will not wonder what I did all day.
blessings to you and your family,
jill
I often to this. My days are so full of a-little-of-this and a-bit-of-that and many are the nights when I go to bed feeling like I've accomplished a whole lot of nothing. I can sense, now, when those feelings are on the way and it helps to have a written accounting of my time that I can look at and think, "Say, look at all I've done today! Good work." A little self-congratulation goes a long way.
I used to do this when I had a new baby and despaired of ever getting anything done. Now I have a grand baby to look after and think I must start the backward list again.
Hello! Are you working through a reading plan for your Bible reading? I'd be interested to hear what it is, if you don't mind. ~ Jackie
Jacqueline, I use an app called YouVersion that has a long list of reading plans to choose from. This year I'm using one called Eat This Book which is a read through with a daily Psalm.
I didn't know you wrote poetry, too, although so many of your posts are quite poetic with their imagery! I hope you're poems are accepted to the journal, and I hope I stumble upon them!
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