For the Love of Lists

Ok, I have to admit I have a slight obsession with lists. It used to not be so bad, but my nearly year-long trek as a stay-at-home mom has turned it in to utter nonsense. Luckily, as of now, I'm pretty sure that no one knows about my list obsession. Well Mark may have an inkling. Every now and then I'll leave one out on the counter and I'll catch him reading it over. Laughing.



Lists are perfect for every occasion. Groceries, items to get at Target, things to be done before tomorrow, stuff to get Mark for Christmas, goals to reach before next year...the list of lists goes on and on. But it's not just the number of lists I have, but habits in keeping them as well that makes this practice so ridiculous.



Everything, and I mean everything has to be listed. For example, on my regular weekly "to-do" list, I have everything from "laundry" (which should be assumed) to "thank you note for so-and-so" (which realistically could be forgotten if not included on the list). But that's not it. When it comes to cleaning, I insist on listing out each room. "Vacuum boys' room", "vacuum office", "vacuum family room". It can't just be "vacuum the whole house". Stupid, I know!



And many items on these lists are simply wishful thinking. Do any of you honestly think that "take down and wash all glass light fixtures" will get checked off any time soon? Or how about "scrub down kitchen table and chairs" ??? I think not. I suppose they are just things that I recognize as needing to be done and I simply don't want to forget. So twenty-some-odd years from now when I have the time....



I know; I'm probably starting to sound a bit crazy. Which might not be too far off. But please, let me explain why I love lists:

1. They make me feel organized.
2. They are the memory that I'm somehow lacking ever since I became a mother. Ever heard of Mommy Brain???
3. In a world where I often feel like I get nothing accomplished other than a few dirty diapers changed, even just one, simple, left-handed check mark on that paper can be so satisfying!
4. And in extreme cases, getting multiple items checked off the list or (gasp!) and entire list completed, I actually feel like somewhat of a super hero.



Ahh. Wasn't that a lovely, non-check-needing list!



So, you see, adding each individual room in my cleaning endeavors is merely a way of rewarding myself. It's kind of like the little kid who gets to put a sticker on his chart every time he does a chore or goes potty in the toilet. Way to go, Laura! You got seven check marks today! Pathetic, I know.



And you should see me when we travel. A list for me, a list for Kolbe, and a list for Reagan. But seriously! Who wants to get on the plane or fifty miles out of town and realize they forgot their toothbrush or phone charger!?! Not me. The list is the perfect thing to prevent this tragedy. And I've even been known to type out my travel packing list and print not just one, but two copies so that I can have one for the return trip home. (a whole new set of check marks! Sweet!)



But my most shameful admission has yet to be mentioned. Embarrassingly, I have made it a practice to add things to my lists that have already been accomplished. For example, the other day I headed out to the garage, dust-buster in hand, determined to clean out the back seat of the Camry. Upon returning inside, I headed to my list to mark it off. In disgust, I realized that "vacuum out back seat of car" was no where to be found! I did something and was not going to be rewarded with a check mark! This just could not be, so I jotted it down to the bottom of the list and proceeded to check it off immediately. (Borderline OCD, right!?!)



But alas, if my little list ritual helps get me through the day, it's probably fairly harmless. Still, I somehow feel a little better and not so weird just by explaining my love of lists on here. While I doubt any of you are as ridiculous as me in this habit, I'm sure many of you love the comfort of lists as well. I'm not the only one. Right? .....Right!?!