A few weeks ago, I started doing this radical thing called “write stuff down so I don’t forget” in a never-heard-of-before item called an “organizational binder.”
I know. I’m one of the first to do it. This type of thing has never been done before. No one has ever heard of it. Planners? Calendars? What even are these?
Sarcastic much, Laura?
You know what? You people who have been doing this list thing since you learned to write words? You just laugh all you want. I’ve always been a “write-it-down” rebel. I’ve never wanted to be tied down to any list. Lists stress me out – as if writing it down means that I’ve failed if for some reason I can’t cross it off at the end of the day. There were too many days I’d leave too many items unfinished and un-crossed off. Boo.
So instead I just kept my 40,000 item to-do list trapped in my head, swirling around, all day long. This is the main reason I’d stare blankly at my children when they’d ask about having friends over on Friday. In order to answer, the file cabinet in my brain had to pull out several drawers, and then the brain papers scattered, which means I provided several different facial expressions before I’d finally answer the can I have friends over on Friday question with put them in the pantry when you’re finished answer.
What? My kids are used to it.
But enough is enough, so finally a few weeks ago I began to get better about writing down the absolutes of my schedule. I printed all my favorite organization pages from the Homemaking Bundle and put them together in a cute binder. I didn’t want to hate my lists, so I did this instead:
- If it has a day attached to it (such as Hannah’s reception, 2:00 Saturday, April 30) I write that down on the specific day. I’d already been doing some of that, because even I have understood the importance of writing those kinds of details on a calendar.
- If it doesn’t have a day attached to it but is only an I hope to get this done sometime before Malachi graduates in 2023, I write it on a general list. After all, if I wrote it on Monday and didn’t accomplish it on Monday, then I’d be mad at my list and we’d be right back where we started.
You never knew I was so high maintenance did you?
How’s my new organizational binder treating me, you ask?
Splendid, I’d say. (Channeling my inner Mary Poppins there. Or was it Bert? Whatever. I’ll add look up who used the word splendid on my never ending to-do list. Oh, no, wait. I remember. It was Mr. Banks. Okay, moving on.)
As I begin each day, I write down the must-do’s and the hope-to-do’s in my binder – in separate sections. As they come to me, I jot down meal ideas on the meal planning page. As I think of recipes I want to try to invent and posts I want to write, I write them on a different list.
Now if my kids say, “Can I have friends over on Friday?” I look on the calendar and say, “Yes. We’re free.” This isn’t nearly as much fun as telling them to put their friends in the pantry, but it is more efficient.
Here’s the truth about my organizational binder that I finally recognize and why I can stop being a “write-it-down” rebel:
My planner doesn’t own me.
I own my planner.
So what if I write down an idea based on a plan I have for the day or the week, but other needs arise and I don’t get it all done? Who even cares? I only need to do what I do. Not getting all of it done isn’t a symptom of failure – it’s a reality of life.
Words on paper mean nothing (unless it’s the Bible or like a marriage certificate or something, but you know what I mean). But the simple act of writing down all the to-do’s and getting them out of my swirling head has truly been helpful. I shall continue this revolutionary idea of writing lists in planners.
Maybe you all should try it sometime. No pressure.
Are you a writer-downer? Or do you tell your kids to put their friends in the pantry?
Su Ann says
We don’t do date nights–ever. No suggestions from me :(
Su Ann says
I did not get the Homemaking Bundle; however, I think the Organizational bundle(Get Your Life Back) looks most appealing to me. thx
Sheri W says
Thanks for the giveaway, Laura!!
Joy says
I can relate to staying in the van together long after everyone else has left (they don’t even notice at first!) just to steal some couple time! After a while someone will come back looking for us …”What are you guys DOING??!” Yes, we are your crazy parents – you just wait until YOU have kids! HA! Some other ways we “steal” time: putting a movie in for the kids while we talk or play a game together, taking a walk around the neighborhood ALONE after dinner, and we have also been known to drop everyone off at mid-week youth group while WE go out for a quick date *gasp*! “What?! You skipped prayer meeting?” Yes, but we prioritize our marriage. God understands! (-:
Joy says
Sorry – commented on the wrong post! )-:
Tracy says
I use my calendar on my phone extensively. So most of the items that have a specific date on them get done at the right time. But I have a nasty habit of making and then ignoring lists. So I keep changing what list making tool I use for all those todos. Lately it is just Siri. “Siri, remind me to buy eggs.” “Siri, remind me to pick up the dry cleaning.” “Siri, remind me to let the kids out of the pantry.”
Shannon says
My system is similar to yours. I have a “long-term to-do list” that I put stuff on and I get to it, when I get to it. Then I have my daily calendar with my “must be done today/this week” stuff. I sometimes feel owned by my lists, but I just have to remember to do the best I can every day and be content with me.
Karen says
I’ve been writing to do lists and calendars starting way way back with Franklin Covey planners. I’m about half a decade older than you and when I began having kids, I couldn’t seem to remember much that wasn’t written down:-) If you ever decide to try an electronic to do list, Wunderlist (free app) has changed my life:) You can make categories such as kids, school, errands, computer, phone calls, etc. When I remember something I need to do, I immediately put it in there and dump it from my brain. I can assign a due date then or not. It syncs across devices and can be printed to have a hard copy.
K Ann Guinn says
I don’t tell my sons to put their friends in the pantry, but ….when I go downstairs to my pantry, I can almost never remember why I’m there. I’m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I’m turning fifty in a couple of weeks…..
I am learning to write more things down and plan; for years I was running so fast working full time and taking care of home stuff, I didn’t even feel I had time to write anything down (although I’m sure it may have helped). Now that I’m home more, I’m realizing the importance of organizing my time, otherwise it disappears too quickly.
Heather S says
I have found an app on my phone that has literally saved my life! And it’s free!! It’s called Errands. It’s like a to-do list but better since you can type in the things you need to do AND set alarms for reminders if you want. You can even set it to repeat at any frequency (once a week, every Wednesday & Friday, etc). You can make folders and “due dates.” But the best feature is that you can rank your items by priority (low, medium, high). There’s so much you can do with it! My husband thought it was so neat that he downloaded the app for his phone too. No more handwritten lists and post-it notes that I lose, get stuck everywhere, and pile up until you re-write to consolidate! I just plug my list into Errands and call it a day. I’ve never been more organized in my life!