Last week, I was telling you about how I was ditching my “list” of projects and tasks, because it was running my life. I thought I share a quick update on my listlessness journey.

Last week was pretty busy for me, so on Day 1 and Day 2, it really wasn’t so bad. There were enough things going on, that I barely thought of the list.

“Easy peasy,” I thought.

“I can do this,” I thought.

“Why didn’t I do this before,” I thought.

Then came Day 3.  Life slowed down a little, it was snowing, and I started to think about all of those things  waiting on that abandoned list. I started to feel anxious. I should be doing those “things!”

I almost pulled the list out.  Almost.  Well, I did have to slap my hand back a little. But, I stopped myself from looking at it.

Instead, I looked around the house and thought about what I’d like to do, not what I should do. I found a sewing idea I had stashed away and forgotten about. It was just some fabric for a T shirt, but I found the pattern, cut out the fabric, and made the shirt. It took maybe an hour, once I got going.  It looks cute, and more importantly, it was fun.

While I had my stash of fabric out, I dug out my half finished winter coat. I hung it up in the sewing room, and played with it a bit.  I finished the pockets that had been annoying me for so long. I pulled out some more fabric to try out different trim ideas. As it hung in the room, I let it inspire me.  Over the course of the next few days I finished it.

I’ll admit it.  The coat has been on my “list” for months and months now.  I dreaded working on it because I was having some problems with the lining and it frustrated me to no end. Every time I saw it on the “list,” I felt this sense of dread and heaviness come over me. Then, when it was the last thing on my “current list,” I’d move it to my “new list,” along with a feeling of failure and anxiousness.

Now the coat is done.  All in all, it took so much less time that I thought it would. It wasn’t painful to do.

What changed?

It wasn’t until yesterday that I gave the question any real thought. I had so much fun playing around with the fabric and trying out different ideas. I had mentally removed it from the “must do project list,” and gave it a different reality; a creative reality. That apparently struck a chord in my artistic soul and off I went.

Then I thought about how the rest of the week had gone.  My list had also contained activity items like:  going to the gym 3 days a week,  and doing stretching and toning exercises at home the other 4 days.   I had been “failing” at those, as well, prior to dumping the list. This past week I managed to go to 3 aqua size classes, swim a 1/3 of a mile, and go on a very long walk with my hubby up and down the hills at the Arboretum. Each activity I did, was because I thought it would be a fun thing to do, at the moment.

I was also more relaxed this week. Even when things came up that upset me or changed my plans, it was much easier to go with the flow. I have to admit, I like this new way of going about my day.

I can’t say that I am totally cured from my list addiction.  I mean it’s only been a week and my list making has been a life-long journey. But, going cold turkey has been inspiring, so far. I’m getting glimpses of possibilities.

I’m going to keep going and see what happens.