Whether it’s in my Moleskine notebook or on my Notes app in my iPhone, my work and personal life revolve around to-do lists. Can anyone else relate? I love the feeling of checking off and physically marking through tasks I’ve accomplished.
Special shout-out to all the color-coded, list-makers and planner-lovers out there!
This week was my first week back to work after vacation, so my list was daunting and constantly growing. However, on Monday morning, I added a few items to my to-do list that I’ve never included before. Right under ‘pay mortgage’ and ‘send new family photo to daycare,’ I added:
- Text Melissa
- Text Brittany
- Text Lauren
That’s right. I added texting my friends to my list of things to do that day. Now, I am not at all saying that reaching out to my friends is considered a ‘task.’ What I am saying is that we get so focused on tackling our lists that the important things sometimes lack the priority they deserve, such as checking in on friends and family.
At the end of each day, I got so tired of lying in bed and wishing I had reached out to my friends or was feeling guilty because I hadn’t set up a playdate or girls’ night in months. I think of my friends all the time throughout the day, but fail to put my feelings into noticeable actions. Adding this text reminder to my to-do list was the successful solution for me.
As a result, I have a zoo playdate, dinner with friends, and a pool day scheduled. This gives me so much joy, and I now have quality time with my loved ones to look forward to. While lists and task completion help me manage my home and work life, I now feel like my social life is moving forward too.
