I Love Lists
Sharing some of my most used and favorites
Hi, friend!
Spring Cleaning is a free newsletter delivered straight to you (or the Substack app) where I share personal essays and reflections on growing up, making meaning, and discovering who I am as an adult. I hope that it brings joy and mini moments of reflection to your day. If my writing resonates with you, please share it with your loved ones! 💌
This week we had a teensy taste of spring in NYC and it was so sweet. I decided to switch up my afternoon stroll this week to walk by the water (not glamorous, it’s the East River) and take in the big blue sky & city views. I need to do this more!! Sometimes I forget that I live in such an iconic city, and I always have a Pinch Me Moment when I take in the legos across the river.
Maybe it’s because I came back from a trip on Sunday night, but I’m having one of those weeks where I’m feeling low energy and uninspired. There are so many things that I wanted to do this week but I’ve had a hard time doing much of anything besides the basics: cooking, exercise, appointments, housekeeping. I might be languishing?
A few weeks ago I felt like I was in a great rhythm with writing on here, and ideas were flowing easily. To be honest, I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what to write and I feel like I have no good ideas. But I’m trying to continue showing up for the things that I enjoy even when I’m not in the mood or feeling a creative lightbulb moment. So here I am - I’ll keep today’s post short and sweet :)
I was on a group trip last weekend and we started talking about list-making. I am admittedly a list queen, and was shocked to hear that some people never make them… for anything. Not only do I love making lists, but I get so much satisfaction from checking something off my To Dos - even completing something as simple as ‘drop package at USPS’ sparks joy.
I’ve been stewing over this for the past week and trying to figure out why I feel so comforted by lists and the organization of my thoughts… beyond the obvious Capricorn moon/oldest daughter syndrome. This is certainly not groundbreaking, but creating lists give me a sense of control over my life - from making sure I get all the right groceries during my Trader Joe’s run, to keeping track of my ever-growing list of health concerns (fellow hypochondriacs rise up). Marking something as completed makes me feel accomplished, no matter how small. I’ve even caught myself going back at the end of the day to add something to my list that was unplanned but already completed, just to get the rush I feel while checking it off. Maybe this is something to discuss further in therapy lol.
I’ve always been a list person - the Apple Notes app is my other Significant Other - but as the world has gotten crazier over the last 4 years, I’ve leaned on lists and my propensity to keep things orderly to make sure I’m on track, to ensure that I’m on a path slowly (but surely) moving forward. A major realization I had last year is that the path that I thought I was on (especially related to my career) wasn’t the right path after all. This was hard to admit, especially since I couldn’t completely envision my new path forward. Still can’t. But after some much-needed time off over the last couple months, I’m starting to visualize what a new path could be. Do I know that it’s the right path? No, I don’t. I’m imagining myself in the middle of a dense rainforest with a dull machete, hacking my way through the dense jungle and creating my own path as I go. I hope that one day it’ll get more clear - less rainforest, more alpine meadow.
If you’re a list person/aspiring list person/think that lists are bizarre but are curious to learn more, here are some that I like, that have helped me, or that keep me inspired and engaged in my life.
My most used lists
Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s lists - organized by area (pantry, frozen, dairy, etc.) and arranged in the flow that I move through each store. This might be cuckoo but it makes my shopping trips so efficient!
General packing list - I copy & paste this before every trip I take to make sure I don’t forget any of my essentials like my silk pillowcase, retainer, and retinol.
City errands - all the errands I need to run in Manhattan. NYC feels overwhelming to me nowadays, so I try to knock multiple things out at once.
2024 Goals - I try to look at this weekly, and have sub-categories for each month. That may sound scary, but it’s not! Most of my goals are small. One of my January goals was try a multivitamin for 30 days. I did it!!
Running list of thoughts for my therapist :)
My favorite lists: I don’t use these lists as much, but over the years they’ve been a resource/inspiration/source of grounding for me
My I Think I’d be Really Happy Doing This list - all the dream, random, or niche jobs that I think I’d really enjoy, with 0 self-judgement.
Life Bucket List
Shopping Wishlist - I started a running list in 2018 of things I want to purchase for myself (mostly clothes, home items, jewelry, etc.). This keeps me focused and intentional with spending. Plus it’s cool to see what I bought and still love (AirPods) and what I’m so glad I didn’t buy (large diamond hoop earrings).
My Sweetness for a Rainy Day list - I’ve compiled a list of all the meaningful and kind things that people have said to me or about me over the years. Big Leo energy, I know. This list has helped cheer me up when I’m feeling low.
My Gift Ideas for my People list - running list of all the close people in my life and random gift ideas that I get, so I never freeze up when there’s a birthday or holiday.
Random Things I Love - this list is truly all over the place! But sometimes it’s hard for me to remember the things I’m excited about (big & small), so I like to write them down. My personal Love List includes: cool state license plates, seeing the sun and moon at the same time, and eavesdropping.
Dinner Party Questions - I’ve been compiling this list for years and I love it!!! Let me know if you want me to share :)
If you’re interested or want to join me this week, here’s what I’m watching, listening to, and reading!
It truly makes me so so happy to hear that some of you have enjoyed these recommendations! Please continue to let me know in the comments if there’s anything that resonates with you from this roundup. I’ve slowed down on listening/watching/reading this week (re: languishing) but I’ve been living for the new season of Love is Blind on Netflix. And I am diving back into fantasy with SJM’s Throne of Glass series. Still working my way through Never Whistle at Night and Braiding Sweetgrass.
Things sparking joy this week!
Piña coladas
Flowers that feel like spring
Acupuncture
Latte art
Sumo Citrus
Trips with Friends
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Thank you for reading and being here. Only 17 more days till spring!!
Did someone teach you to organize your life list by list…. that Capricorn moon is powerful!!! I’d love you to share your packing/ Trip list ….. perhaps it will help. 🥰🙏🏼I don’t consider you languishing after reading this; perhaps just a bit less ambitious?