an honest perspective


I'm going to be honest with you: I didn't do all those things on my list every day. Some days I did most of them, some days I did some of them and one day I did nothing except the housework. I found that what I thought would be a helpful prompt ended up being a nasty laughing reminder that I can't even manage the basics of life...

... and that's not good, because it's not true. I'm just not a list-and-routine sort of a person, that's all, however much I'd like to be - I work in rushes of energy, and then I daydream and rest - that's how I've always been, and that's how I suppose I always will be. Better start working with it, and more importantly, accepting and enjoying it... we can only be ourselves.

I did do a little painting though. Just to see if I could.

13 comments:

Marigold Jam said...

So glad it's not only me who doesn't seem to achieve what I set out to do every day. I think you are absolutely right to accept yourself the way you are and not to try and be waht you are not. Enjoy your day whether or not you do all you set yourself to do!

Jane said...

I've always made lists - but I often don't complete what's on them (more of a virtual possibility than what's actually going to happen). I've learn't that on some days I'll get so much done I'll amaze myself, and on others I won't get anything done, and that's fine. Love the painting.

Helen said...

Lovely to see by your post and the comments that you are not along. I think once we accept what we are then we are halfway there. I am always making lists or commiting to things that I really know in my hearts of hearts I won't be able to achieve. Here's to us being us!

Frances said...

Sue, you really made me laugh with those words about "painting, to see if I could."

It's so obvious to all who've been reading your posts for a while that you definitely paint, and do many other things very, very well!

About that list concept, I am in agreement with your approach. I do make lists, but not with any feeling that I really need to tick off every item. Sometimes I write a grocery shopping list or work-related list, and smuggle some kind of creative/artistic notion somewhere along the list. I do that to remind myself that what I want, wish to do is as important as what I might more easily convince myself I need, should do.

I love that picture you've posted!

xo

Anonymous said...

I see lists as a necessary evil - sometimes, like you, I work like mad ticking things off and feeling great and then I have days (or weeks, or months) when I just have to go with the flow and do what I can, when I can. The lists sit there reminding of all the things I should be/could be/wanted to be doing...they are tyrannical! But it's all part of life's rich tapestry...

alice c said...

Phew! I would have failed on day 1 - the prospect of eating two apples in a day being way beyond anything that my so-called self discipline has ever achieved. My only tip for writing lists is always to include something that you have already done so that you get off to a good start.

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

And yes you could! Love your little painting Sue. Lesley x

Gigibird said...

I am pleased you have discovered you are not in fact a list person. I think of course there are exceptions – shopping lists for example although speaking from personal experience mine are usually left at home….a Christmas present wish list is essential to conveniently leave where unimaginative husbands might see…. but the ‘to do’ variety should really be left to goal driven types which rules us out.

Gilly said...

I love you just the way you are!!

And I like that painting, too! The blue is a glorious shade.

rossichka said...

Then... be yourself! It's so important to find out what kind of person you are and not waste time in things that don't "suit" you. Thanks for your confession, Sue! But you haven't done anything wrong. You simply tried to make a change and you learned something on the road!:) Now I'm thinking we could turn some important things into routine without maling lists, couldn't we? Because lists could be depressing sometimes. :-)
A very tender painting - I like the colours!

Anonymous said...

But you're like most of us who 'could do better'. The people who have that self-discipline (I'm thinking Margaret Thatcher, Anna Wintour, Barbara Hepworth)well - would you want to be like them? All my friends think they are failures and I love them because they are funny and chaotic and creative and talented, but they also worry about their families and don't achieve all they had hoped to. You have talent and good taste, and you have the patience to pay such attention to detail so what you do produce is exquisite. Just do it when the mood takes you. I was going to exercise the moment I got up this morning, and I'm still sitting here....

Pomona said...

It's a beautiful painting. And never write a list unless you can tick off most of it very quickly! I tend to work in bursts, too - sometimes I need deadlines to rev me into action.

Pomona x

Jackie said...

Well, you CAN.
Its lovely. Forget all the other stuff. If you have the list of things to do to give you a better life, and then it makes you worry...its no use at all!
Just paint. When you want to. Housework will always be there.