THE LITTLE THINGS

I urge you to do something. It's absolutely imperative, or else the message of this post with be completely and utterly lost into nothingness and pointlessness. Ready for it?

Make a list.

Yes, a list. Sounds silly I know, but seriously, write down all the things to you need to get done today, or by the end of the week. Or the end of this coming week since it is the end of the week... It is Saturday right? Or for me, Friday night.

Either way, let's make it the end of this coming week. Or you can just do the end of the day like I initially said.

Alright, did you get everything?

Just check one last time.


Okay, now look back at your list. How many of your 'to-dos' have to do with work? Errands? Cleaning? Chores?

Now how many have to do with family? Your kids? Your significant other? Yourself?
And this can not include picking Little Timmy and Susan up from school. I mean spending time with the people you love. Doing things for them that aren't expected of you? Enjoying yourself?

Here's where I think my mother has one of her very very few flaws. Her lists of things-yet-to-be-done are all work related. The same goes for my dad. And I get it, I really do. The economy is hard, blah blah, have to make money to support the family blah blah...

However, your to-do list will never be completely to-done. Accept that. As some tasks are marked off, others are added. That's just how it works. Accept that. Accept that you are not a super human, and you can't get everything done in a week's time, let alone one day. For every task done, pat yourself on the back. And for every new task, remind yourself that unless it is life-threateningly on a schedule, that you have no reason to rush and stress yourself out to finish it.

So I ask you to do one thing. Actually, more than one thing. One thing a day, really. Seven things a week. Okay, lots of things...
Make an effort to do one enjoyable thing a day. One thing to give your day meaning and make all the troubles you went through worth it. It can be small and not time-consuming.

Take a walk and enjoy the fresh air and beauty of your surroundings. If you're a working lady, it's likely that if you go this route it'll probably end up happening earlier in the morning or later at night. Honestly? It's my favorite time to take a walk. The stillness, quietness, serene, peaceful atmosphere? Can't be beat.

Get down on the ground and play with your children. Soak in the sweetness of their laughs and smiles. Please keep in mind that if your children are older in age and no longer residing on the ground as they find amusement that you probably should not get down on the ground. Try approaching by foot.

My beautiful grandma with the three eldest cousins

Encourage the family to cuddle up on the couch or in a big bed to watch a movie one night.

Take a bubble bath. (Oh man, have I mentioned how much I miss baths since I've gone to college? There is nothing like sinking down into hot, sudsy water while carefully making sure to keep my hands dry to hold a book, of course.)

Waking up absurdly early to watch the sun rise. Or just be like me and enjoy a setting sun. I find it much, much more reasonable.

Find a peaceful, beautiful place nearby your work or home. Stop there after work to enjoy the beauty for a few minutes. I love the idea of this. Turning off the work commotion wrecking havoc on your mind in order to open the calm, peaceful part of your mind. This way, when you finally get home, you are more at ease and ready to embrace any child, husband, animal, cookbook, pillow, etc. with warm thoughts.

Mother & Child - Mary Cassatt

Call someone you haven't seen or talked to in far too long. Unless you are like me. I despise talking on the phone. Unless, of course, I'm working and having to answer phones. Nothing like talking to strangers to make me feel more at ease about talking on the phone. Sometimes I don't understand myself.

Better yet, write a letter. Maybe I'm old fashioned - who am I kidding, I was totally born in the wrong era - but there's something so special about a handwritten, heartfelt letter. I dream of receiving them.


Anyways, you get the picture. One thing a day isn't hard. And it's worth it. The little things that make you happy contribute to your overall happiness. And with an open mind and more easy going attitude, maybe taking on the ceaseless list of 'to-dos' won't be as intimidating.