Juggling To-Do Lists, Self-Care, and Being Present
Hello Friendly Reader,
I am getting married next month! This is a dream come true AND doing it with two children under 5 has its challenges and comical moments. Just this morning, I came inches from pouring apple cider vinegar in my coffee after burning the sausage.
The other day, I froze as I scrolled through my long and ever growing to-do list:
client programs to adjust
dinner planning for the week
groceries I needed
endless household tasks indoor and outdoor
appointments for everyone
paperwork to get my son enrolled in school
steps to finishing my next book~Mom Life Be Like
steps to marketing the books I already have
random wedding tasks that need to get finished
On this same morning I could hardly hear my son’s questions. Partially because his questions are endless and constant, partially because my brain was trapped in a fog from my baby waking me up all night, & partially because the list of to-do’s was forefront in my mind.
I see the signs. I know it’s time to ground myself by writing, by foam rolling, by sitting still, by doing less.
I’ve noticed that maintaining unrealistic self-care and healthy habits is another trap.
When are we ever healthy enough?
When are we ever doing enough?
My to-do list is off the charts. My anxiety has a field day adding more and more to the to-do list. My OCD is thrilled I found a way to separate my to-do list so that everything has order. If I give these two control I will never feel satisfied, calm, or that I’m doing enough.
So instead, I focus on being fully present with my children. Children are always in the present moment. I read the same books to my 1 year-old, over and over again and do my best to retrain my beginners mind.
I notice that staring at my to-do list and trying to over accomplish things pulls me away from being here now. From accessing the beginners mind.
The beginners mind is a beautiful place to exist. Imagine if we all stepped into each moment as if it were our first and could be our last. Because if we are being honest~every moment could be our last.
Imagine if we were excited and scared and hopeful and curious throughout each day.
How different would your days look?
Maintaining a beginners mindset can help you approach the monotony of each day with a new spark.
What if you put music on and danced as you cleaned the dishes?
What if you dropped into a curious state and asked questions instead of yelling and demanding people do the long lists of things needed to get done?
What if?
Instead of getting caught up in endless to-do lists, let’s practice tuning into the beginners mind for the rest of the month.
I have extra motivation to do this so that I can be fully present when I get married next month!
I’d love to hear how the practice goes for you this week, tell me in the comments.
Love Always,
Danielle Mallett
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