Creating the “I Do” List

Ditch the “To Do” List and create the “I Do” List instead!

27 July 2020, Andrea Weber, Expansive Happiness

In previous posts, the need for slowing down and self-nurturing has been mentioned several times so I’d now like to share a technique I’ve developed for my own self-care toolkit.

As many of us have an innate need to maximise our time efficiently and be as productive as possible, it can be a real challenge to slow this down and create time for self-care as a priority. 

To help in doing this, I’ve decided to ditch the “To Do” List and create an “I Do” List instead. 

When the “To Do” List becomes unattainable, it can lead to feelings of depletion and despondency.  We often judge ourselves harshly if we don’t complete what’s on the list and then have to manage the overwhelm of spreading these tasks across other things.  This can lead to stress and exhaustion.

This is where the “I Do” List can really help. The idea of making the “I Do” rather than the “To Do” List creates an approach that’s more enjoyable and calming. It satisfies the need for ‘doing’ and also fulfils the need for self-care and self-nurturing.

Here’s an example of things I’m putting on the list.

“I do make time for me today.”

“I do listen when I need a break.”

“I do ask for help from others.”

“I do nurture my needs.”

“I do make things easier.”

“I do create more calm.”

“I do cherish all that I am.”

I instantly feel at ease when reading this and I know that I’m doing things for me.  I’ve also realised that when I make time for these things that I tend to cope much better with the more mundane chores that still require attention. 

Creating and reading statements like, “I do make things easier”, also helps generate positive thinking and constructive habits.  What may seem like a novel idea in the beginning starts to become a valuable inclusion in the daily routine.

Things become less stressful and much more enjoyable.  Jobs are still being done but in a manner that’s more comfortable and calming rather than in a whirlwind of flurry! 

Over the next week or two, try to incorporate the “I Do” List into your schedule and see if it’s something you find helpful.

It really does make a big difference to our health and wellbeing when we take the time to prioritise and nurture ourselves.  We become more available and tuned in to what we need and we’re able to then accommodate this in a kind, relaxing and restorative way.