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In a perfect world, I wake up before my alarm, list all the things that I am grateful for while doing my morning yoga stretches. Then I eat a delicious breakfast of yogurt and fruit, followed by a short walk with my dog in the dappled sunlight, greeting my neighbors with a smile and a wave.
After a luxurious shower, I look lovely in a new outfit, my hair and makeup effortlessly perfect. Then I get down to a productive and fun day of writing, and marketing, meeting friends for a lunch break, and wrap up the day with a lively dinner with my family, feeling happy and productive.
I did mention that this was my perfect day, right? While I strive to be the best possible version of myself every day, life happens. On any normal day, I can wake up with headache, have an allergy flair up, not sleep well, and the cat brings a live snake up to the porch.
That’s just life, and it happens to all of us. So how do we keep ourselves happy and productive when it feels like life is trying to send us crashing? How do we keep focused and headed toward our goals when it feels like nothing’s going right?
This is where an EVERY DAY LIST comes in.
What is an everyday list? Why do you need one? How do you make one?
An everyday list is a list of 10 things: 4 things that we are grateful for, 3 easy tasks that we can get accomplished today, and 3 healthy things that we can do today. This list helps us to feel accomplished even at the end of a difficult or seemingly unproductive day.
I update my list once a month, and keep it posted in my planner.
Right now my list:
I’m grateful for: My family, my home, my garden, and the chance to follow my dreams.
3 Easy tasks today are: make my bed (it’ll be there nice and neat to greet me at the end of my day), walk the dog, and water the plants.
3 Healthy things that I can do today are: stop and just breathe for a moment, drink four glasses of water, and eat at least one fruit and one vegetable.
Not so difficult, right? And at the end of a tough day, I can check these off my list and smile as I fall asleep knowing that I got the basics done and tomorrow is going to be a great day.
Now, each person’s EVERYDAY LIST will be different. So, how do you draft your everyday list?
Ask yourself these questions, and write down the answers, remember that the answers will change with time, mine change often with the months and seasons.
What makes you happy? What are you grateful for? This can be anything that makes you smile or makes your heart warm. Somethings tht make you relax and feel happy thinking about. List at least four.
What is an easy task that would make your home feel nicer? Nate Berkus says that , “Your home should rise up to great you.” List at least three easy things that help your home feel inviting and not just another workplace . You see mine above, but other examples could be: 5 minute cleanup in any one room, sweep off the porch, fold the laundry, wipe down the kitchen cabinets, or toss meat and veggies in the crockpot for dinner. Whatever will make you feel accomplished today.
Lastly, what small thing could you do today to make yourself feel better physically or emotionally today? For me staying hydrated and trying to eat healthy on the run are tough. Other examples could be stretching, going to bed early, meditating, or deep breathing.
Ok, so now you have a rough list. DO NOT MAKE THIS LIST DIFFICULT!
I know that sounds like a silly reminder, but it’s very tempting to make this a list of twenty things, each taking fifteen to twenty minutes. NOPE. Each of these EASY tasks should take no more than five minutes, so essentially you can get them all done in an hour. With everything else in your day, that can be enough.
Links that I Like:
Nate Berkus: https://www.nateberkus.com/
On My Bookshelf Now:
Have a Great Day,
Dottie Lake
Dottie Lake, Author 