My life is full of projects and daily tasks that are halfway completed. It is stressful knowing that there are so many tabs open in my brain. I store my to-do list under “reminders” in my phone. That list is currently at 33 items and growing. It is easy to only focus on the negative, the incomplete. The things on my endless to-do list can irk me like the swim suit section during the cold Iowa month of February.
I once stated in an interview that some of my strengths were my organization and my ability to complete tasks on time. I added something about how I couldn’t sleep at night until I had crossed off everything on my to-do list. I was 7 months pregnant with my first child at the time. The interview team laughed and said, “Not for long.” Clearly, they were all seasoned parents. It was confusing at the time, but now I get it.
So I raise a cup of thrice heated coffee to all the mamas out there who can’t seem to complete just one simple task on the to-do list.
My glass is half full. Let me tell you why.
1.) My laundry is not all washed (nor folded or put away), but I have taken care of the pieces that will smell like sewage by morning.
2.) My hair hasn’t been washed in four days, but I have rinsed the important parts on the daily. Confession: I have even found that the less frequent I wash my hair, the less greasy it becomes.
3.) One of my three children always needs something, but I always have the opportunity to feel needed.
4.) I didn’t have time to make or buy sides to serve with our dinner. At least we have something to eat. My kids will remember all of us around the table. They won’t remember if conversation flowed over green bean casserole or Snickers apple salad.
5.) I am still attempting to print photos from Shutterfly that date back to two years ago. At least I have the photos saved and the memories cherished. That is what we have Timehop for, right?
I have learned that I feel a stronger sense of accomplishment at the end of the day when I have spent time with my kids rather than constructed an elaborate scrapbook or shaved my legs. So I will continue to march on with life, around my 33 to-do items.
Take a sip of your beverage of choice after a long day. Forget the unchecked items.
Your glass can be half full, too.
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