If you’re anything like me you’ll find that you struggle with to do lists. You wake up in the morning and you’re like "Yeah I'm motivated!" You say to yourself, "Everything I need to do I’m gonna do today!"
Then you write your list and you look at it and realise that actually "I’m not likely to get all of these things done today." Sometimes I find myself doing things that other people want me to do and prioritising their needs over my own needs.
I can’t remember the last time I picked up a paintbrush. But, I know every day I want a paint. I just can’t seem to find the time for it because, I’m always finding time to do things I have to do and things that other people want me to do so that I don’t let them down. In all honesty I’m a bit of a people pleaser and I find it very hard to create boundaries.
My friend Monique sent a message in the group chat one day about boundaries and to do lists. It resonated with me so well that I decided to create a little to do list of my own to help me set boundaries.
The first section is "Things I Want To Do" This section is self explanatory, you should focus on what you want to do. Paint a picture, leave out a little earlier and grab an iced coffee and sit in the coffee shop with it instead of drinking on the commute. Bake your best friend a birthday cake (Understand that this is something I want to do, not have have to do. There is no obligation.) Get in nice relaxing bath at the end of a long day. Purely things that fulfil your soul so you can get used to putting YOU first.
The second section is "Things I Need To Do" This is simply your standard to do list. Its in the middle of the page and is accompanied by a meal & water tracker on the right. We all know how to use a to do list really, there's no reinventing the wheel going on!
The final section is "Things Other People Want Me To Do." There is a reason that I didn't put an image or a quote on this box. I don't want you to get to it. I don't want you to tick off a thing in this box. I don't want any joy to come from this box. Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying don't do things for other people, but only do what you want to do.
Anyway now this first blog is over I can finally tick this off my to do list. 💃🏾