You should make a to-don’t list this year. I know, what the heck am I talking about??
I saw this idea in an article by I read recently in my GirlBoss newsletter that I get each morning (you should sign up for them, they’re amazing!) It struck me as something we should DEFINITELY do, like, right away {scribbling my own list down now}.
The author asserts that it’s super helpful to make a list of things you hate when you’re feeling overwhelmed or uninspired. We do this work with clients in our therapy practice, too. It can give us some information about what we’re doing on the daily that we don’t like, which can offer us direction to make better choices.
Our to-don’t list could be about our careers, our relationships, our personal lives. Any area of your life is fair game here!
I think an underlying benefit from making a to-don’t list is really also about protecting yourself from things that could pull you down and/or pull you away from whatever forward progress you’re making. LOVE THIS.
To begin is simple. Just start a list in your notebook titled “To Don’t” and start writing down all the things you’re doing that you really hate/loathe/dread.
Need some examples?
Maybe you really don’t like the exercise group your bestie begs you to go to; {add to list}
Or you really aren’t like the required weekly call with your Aunt who just drones on and on about all the negative things happening and always forgets to ask you about you; {uh nope}
What about the co-worker that guilts you into buying coffee a few days a week and never pays you back? {check}
See where I’m going here?
Everything that frustrates you, angers you, upsets you (you get where I’m going) is fair game. Write it all down!
What to do with your to-don’t list
Once you have it all down on paper, use this list to start noticing themes or connections, and take it a step further to see if there is something that really stands out. THIS is where all the helpful information lies.
We do this work with all our clients on the regular and it’s super helpful for them to figure out what is holding them back and why they’re feeling stuck. Then, get unstuck. We get it!
If you need extra help with your list or direction as to what steps to take after you get it all down on paper, we’ve got you! You can schedule with our rock star therapists here, or give us a buzz, or drop us an email.
We’re glad to help and we look forward to seeing your To-Don’t list!!
