Lowering the Bar

I'm a big fan of to-do lists. I'm not a naturally motivated, focused go-getter and they help keep me on track. Plus I find it super satisfying to check those little boxes off. My to-do list usually looks something like this:

• Dishes
• Laundry
• Floors
• Call so-and-so
• E-mail so-and-so
• Prepare sharing time
• Practice Zumba
• Take toddlers for a walk
• Return books to the library
• Make homemade chicken stock
• Cook dinner
• Etc

You get the idea. I fill up my day with those little boxes and pat myself on the back as I cross them off.

But sometimes, you just need to let some things go. We've been battling sickness for, oh I don't know, how about all winter long and this week it hit me hard. So my to-do list for yesterday looked like this:

• Feed the child
• Don't let the child sit in her filth all day

Where's the rest of the list? That is the list. I laid on the couch and turned on Nick Jr. and dragged myself off the couch only when absolutely necessary. But I have loftier goals today. Today's to-do list looks like this:

• Don't let the child watch TV for 8 hours
• Bathe/shower self and child
• Put clean clothes on self and child

I've managed most of those, and now blogged. Why, I do believe that makes me an overachiever today! Sometimes, it's good to lower the bar. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back to couch now. I feel a nap coming.