Making lists is my passion. Breaking them is my job.

End of year, new year new me, new month, new week, new season, new me after a breakup, new me with a new job – the occasion will always rise for a new list. And the excitement! The longer the list, the bigger the rush! Oh, I will learn a new language, I will exercise, I will eat healthier, I will read all the books I bookmarked on goodreads, which then I bought and shelved nicely and put them on my instagram, but didn’t quite get to the point of reading them. And the list goes on and on and on…

So, things are pretty much looking like the image below:

But, hey, we are only human, right? And we sometimes need an anchor for all the waves of thoughts flowing through our wandering minds and souls. Poetry in scheduling stuff – who would have guessed? 🙂

Paper and pen: A love story as old as time

I love writing things down on an actual paper, with an actual pen, there’s a timeless magic to it. Why paper? Call me old school if you want. That empty canvas is calling me to create something together. Scribbling stuff down just gives me a sense of control, my handwriting makes me more self-aware, it’s like my signature that connects me with my body and mind, makes it real somehow.

The ritual

And think about all the little rituals when you sip your coffee and make the grocery list – magic in simplicity! All the random doodles when you are on a boring call or annoying conference and your mind needs to stretch its legs. Oh, let’s not forget the oddly sweet satisfaction of crossing off completed tasks from your to do list! It’s like a reward! 🎉Being productive feels like a victory celebrated with a tick mark✅

Oh, and the letters we used to write and send, the anticipation, the waiting game! It must have been so romantic and excruciating at the same time! And what about journaling – this time capsule that feels like a confidante?

Typing feels so impersonal! But writing by hand? It’s like a stroll, like a dance, it’s intimate, it’s raw, natural and real. Are you afraid of being messy? Don’t be! That’s life!

Breaking the list is my job

Am I being loyal 100% to my lists? Absolutely not! First of all, there is a lot of wishful thinking that goes into that list, a lot of maybes and best case scenarios. The list knows that I will get lazy at some point, I will need to take a break from being productive – which is ok – unexpected things will happen that will disrupt the harmony of that beautifully crafted list. But, don’ get me wrong! The list will get a bit smaller! 🙂 So, no need to panic! And, eventually, we’ll just make a new list! I know I do!

To-do-list or not-do-list?

My point? I don’t know if I really have one, but I will try my best to offer you something as closure. Don’t ever stop making lists! Keep on wishing for things, keep your imagination working, stay motivated, have something to be looking forward to! The best list is the one that keeps on growing and changing!

Crossing everything off wouldn’t be endgame—it’d be a plot twist.

I’m sure the universe will add something on our plate / list. 😉