I’ve taken a break from Reverb10, in light of a few freelance deadlines, four Christmas parties in one weekend, a stack of to-dos and some upcoming travel plans. But last Saturday’s prompt combined reflection with a list – and I needed just one more list to make up my 52 for this year. (I never thought I’d actually come up with 52 lists. But it’s been an amazingly fun exercise.)
So. Eleven things my life doesn’t need in 2011:
1. Financial stress. I know I’ll still think/budget/worry about money in 2011 – that’s the nature of the beast, when you’re Type A and unemployed. But I need to let go of worrying about every penny we spend, every single day. I need to make a budget and stick to it, and then relax, because I can still afford the occasional scented candle/literary treasure/fancy coffeehouse drink. Despite all my freaking out about money since we moved to Boston, we are okay. And I need to remember that.
2. Excessive Internet surfing – this is a hard one for me, especially on bad-weather days. But there are times I just need to get up from the computer, take a walk, make something, then come back to it refreshed and focused.
3. Feeling like I’m not doing “enough” – whether that’s related to the job search, my writing, keeping the house clean, whatever. In the words of the beautiful Tracey Clark, I am enough.
4. Less sweet stuff – the holidays are a candy trap, of course, but I need to watch my sugar intake in the New Year. Everything in moderation…right?
5. Some of the clutter in our guest room. As soon as we clear out the Christmas boxes (which are living in there temporarily), I need to clear out some of the other junk. (Though we did get rid of a bunch of stuff when we moved across the country.)
6. That box of stuff meant for Goodwill that’s been sitting in our kitchen for MONTHS. (I don’t even want to tell you how long.)
7. Some of the photos on my computer – I could stand to delete a few hundred.
8. Some of my own internal chatter – I need more truly quiet moments.
9. Procrastination. Sometimes I just need to buckle down and get. it. done.
10. Some of those papers in my file cabinet – oh my, it needs a cleaning session.
11. Worry (in a general sense). This one keeps sneaking back, but how nice it would be to banish it for hours or days at a time.
What do you need to let go of this year?
This is my favorite list of yours so far. I like the feeling of just letting go… even though it’s you letting go and not actually me. Makes me want to make my own list, not just resolutions for the year, but what am I letting go of.
Thanks for sharing this year, friend. I’m glad we keep up over this blog. It’s been a wonderful read and given me something to look forward to reading during these almost 20 months (!) of Peace Corps service.
I’m with breadtobeeaten. This is a wonderful list, and an inspiration to me too. I’m always thinking what I want MORE of and then wailing about my desire for simplicity. Thinking about what I need less of seems like a wonderful exercise to get me there.
I really like how you answered this prompt — it gives me inspiration for what to do with mine (I’ve been struggling)!
I especially love #2, because with all the social media hype out there, I think we all feel like we HAVE to be at the computer 24-7, 365. You’re so right: the only way to do good work is to step away from the screen for a bit. There’s a whole world out there waiting for us.
Also, i have to say that I love your title: those are my 3 favorite things! 🙂