You know the phrase “stop and smell the roses?”
I always thought it sounded a little cheesy. But now that we’re in the seventh month of quarantine (wow!), I’m starting to think that whoever thought of that phrase has the right idea.
I used to be all about bucket lists, but I want to introduce you to the “Thimble List” — AKA “the stop and smell the roses list.”
This week you’ll be bombarded with posts about gratitude and remembering to love your friends and family and I was tempted to write one myself. But the planner in me stopped — and decided to make a practical list instead.
I figured it would be more efficient to share a list of ways to get through these busy days easier because everyone else would cover the other topics.
So here’s a few posts I’ve written in the past (yes one IS about gratitude) to get you through the hectic Thanksgiving holiday:
Checklist for a Stress-Free Dinner Party – If you’re hosting this year, check out this list to make sure you’re all ready for your guests! Read more
It’s been just about four years since I started writing this blog. My goal has been to help you become more productive and learn to use lists to get more out of your lives. It may sound a bit simple, but when you write to tell me how much this blog or my book, Listful Thinking, helps you personally — I value it so much.
I’ve written about keeping a gratitude journal in the past. It’s something I really believe in. The act of writing a list of all that I’m thankful for can boost my mood and make me happier. So I’m taking this opportunity to let you all know that you’ve been on my gratitude list for quite some time. Thank you to the regular readers of this blog for all the help and support you’ve given me over the years.
Below are a few of the delightful messages I’ve received recently:
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I love anything about sharing, gratitude and happiness. It just puts you in a better mood and makes the impossible seem so much easier. It’s why “The Secret” is one of my favorite books and I often write about keeping a gratitude journal. I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to Gratitude and Happiness!
Obviously I was excited to read The Grateful Life, the 3rd book in a trilogy by Nina Lesowitz and Mary Beth Sammons. It’s an anthology of stories on gratitude, which encourages you to be thankful for what you have in you life right now. I personally find that when you are grateful for what you have, you get more and more of what you love. The authors open the book with a very good point: “Whatever your goal may be, nothing happens until you take action.” So it’s not like you can just ask for whatever you want and wait til it happens — there’s still some work involved.
Follow Paula Rizzo – ListProducer.com’s board Gratitude & Happiness Lists on Pinterest. Read more
(Photo Credit: www.shutterstock.com)
Most days I’m so concerned with my lists and getting things done that when I do have some down time, I freeze. I think, “Shouldn’t I be doing something? There’s got to be something I can do right now.” I forget that it’s OK to just do nothing and not have something planned out for every second of every day.
On this blog I talk a lot about taking regular breaks. However, when you’re feeling busy and rushed off your feet — I get that it can be tough to take a moment to slow down. Most of us eat lunch at our desk or read emails while we make coffee and we feel as though we have to be accountable for every minute. But this frenzied work ethic can actually be harmful to your productivity. It’s time to join me and give yourself permission to relax during those down moments. It’s amazing how much of a boost in your efficiency you’ll feel if you just take it easy on yourself.
Because I can’t do anything — even taking a break — without a list, here are some ideas for you: Read more