An essential list

As someone who loves stationery and has far too many planners and notebooks I adore making lists.

Lists of things I need to do for work, reminders of what I need to do around the house, notes of what should be completed by when - you name it it is on a list.

But whenever I’m on leave or away my mind wonders to bigger things and I think of an essential list which I need to make. I spoke about filling my cup in the first post for the month. How being in nature, doing some creative, or losing myself in a book always calms me.

But what about what drains me? Things that deplete whatever I’m filling my cup with.

As I sat in bed this morning with a cup of coffee I jotted down all the things that make me feel good, positive and content. Things that bring joy. Underneath I wrote things that bring me down. Stress me out. Drain me.

I expected work stress to be on that list - but it comes with the job.

So I delved deeper and wrote Drama. People without boundaries, the energy vampires and cannot-be-happy-for-others. Once I started writing everything out - it was a bit of an eye opener.

And then I wrote what I’m planning to do about this.

The happy list - obviously do more of this. Prioritize it. Make it a daily habit.

The draining list - work on it. Set goals to achieve a healthy life work balance. I’m not supposed to be online all the time - I’ve allowed that to happen by always being available on my phone and switching off my laptop too late in the evenings.

Limit exposure to drama. Easier said that done. Need to work on this. There are times one cannot escape an energy vampire - some folk are unavoidable but I can limit my time around them.

Stop letting insignificant things get to me. Any other overthinkers here? Why (and I have asked myself this for too many years) do I let someone’s thoughtless comment clutter up so much of my brain? I am getting better at this but why is it so difficult? The irony is the same people who cannot be happy or supportive when I’m happy about something are the same people I’d never ask advice from. So why does an unwanted opinion become a long term tenant in my (already at capacity) mind?

It can be from a family member or friend, in-laws, colleagues or an acquaintance. You are minding your own business, having a good day and you share some news or recap something you enjoyed and BAM incoming buzzkill sucks the joy right out of the moment. Why? And more to the point why do I care?

Making the list was easy, working on these things will take time. But I know it will be worth it.

Do you have a list of what fills your cup vs what drains it?

xx