Also Included: A Brief Summary of Some of Gretchen Rubin’s Work
When I first started this blog, it was about making and completing a list of things to do before I turned 35. I never completed that original list and I’m okay with that, but I do like to make lists and/or set some goals from time to time. When I brought the blog back last year, I made some seasonal lists which seemed a bit more doable on top of all the things I just normally do, but still kind of fun to create and accomplish. I thought now that it is officially spring, it might be fun to make of list of things I’d like to do this season.
Before I get to the list though, let’s talk about procrastination. Do you? I do. I procrastinate. I go back and forth between trying to change that about myself and just accepting myself as is. Gretchen Rubin, an author I really like who studies and writes about habits and happiness calls this a “Happiness Paradox.” I mean, things that really need to be done, I get done. But I let some things wait until the deadline is looming near and some things that don’t have a definitive deadline and aren’t majorly inconveniencing me might wait a very long time until I get around to them. Gretchen might suggest I institute a “Power Hour” (NOT like back in the college drinking days!) to accomplish some of those tasks. Gretchen would also probably suggest that if I really want to change my procrastination habit, I take her quiz about the four tendencies.* (Can you tell I like Gretchen’s work?) The Four Tendencies Framework is a tool that Gretchen created to describe how we respond to both inner and outer expectations. I’m not so sure I want to completely change all of my procrastination ways though, because sometimes I have a good reason for putting off a task. For instance, I’d rather go for a bike ride than paint the kitchen ceiling or I’d rather visit my adorable baby nephew than fix the laundry room door. I’d rather do the enjoyable living life kinds of things than the chore-y things. Wouldn’t we all? Probably not. I know some of you really enjoy the chores and/or just have a different sense of urgency for getting them done. It takes all kinds. But still, I firmly believe that those living life choices are the right ones to make (for me!), they’re the ones I want to fill my days with because I rarely regret a bike ride and I almost always enjoy time spent with my family and friends. Always, always enjoy time with my sweet nephew! But at some point I just gotta fix that door! Which brings me to item #1 on my spring to do list:
- Do the house chores I’ve been putting off
- Go for more bike rides
- Spring clean my house
- Do more yoga
- Keep writing
- Get outside
I want to make spring a mix of taking care of business and some things I’ve been procrastinating on and slacked off about, and I also want to fill spring with more fun and lightheartedness. My school year has been kind of stressful and I probably let it get to me more than was good for me. I’m ready to let the spring air into my house and heart! Here goes…
*OK – I actually did take the Four Tendencies quiz and it says I’m a questioner. However, I question whether I also have a tendency to be an obliger. I know I do. The blog comes in handy sometimes to hold me accountable for my obliger ways. Care to share your tendency or spring plans?
35tomatoes 