Write It Down

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Do you sometimes feel, as I do right now, completely overwhelmed by all that you have to do, remember and take care of? Right now I feel like I’ve got a million things that need my attention, all at once.

What usually happens in that case is that you feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, so you don’t do anything at all.

What I think might help is to write it all down.

Don’t misunderstand – this is not a to-do list – although you will most certainly end up having to do many of the things on the list.

No, this is what I call a dump list.

A dump list is designed to help you get things out of your head so that you have room to think.

I think it’s helpful if you get a notebook that you can keep around to make your list. You could also save it on your computer.

What you do is write down everything you have to do, take care of, remember, etc. If it’s bugging you, it goes on the list.

Right now my list would include immediate things like paying some bills and getting a train ticket for my daughter. But I’ve also got some things on my list that are more like “some day” things. That would include things like painting the master bathroom and getting the door screen fixed.

Lots of the some day things are just minor irritations, but they cross my mind now and then and I think “Oh I should take care of that”. When it’s written down, I don’t feel such a need to keep reminding myself.

This list is also great for those times at night when you’re trying to get to sleep but you can’t because your mind is racing. Put those thoughts, worries and ideas down in your notebook. You might act on them, you might not, but maybe you can get them out of your stream of consciousness, and that would be worth it.

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle

Lacy Estelle is the writer of Lacyestelle.com and the Podcast host for An ADD Woman.

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