Listography 2011.

                     
In my working days, I dreaded the ice-breaker games or forms relating to personal goals, hobbies, or favorites.  As I've alluded to several times before, other than being a wife and mother, work is what I did, and what I knew.  Other than the very basic questions- and I mean basic- like "What's your favorite color?," having to categorize my life in the form of a list- my experiences, goals, favorites, my life beyond the 'office' - stressed me out. 

And in a way, it still does.  I mean it's easy to list  what I need to get done for the day, pick up from the grocery store, ... the simple stuff.  Yet when it comes to the "big stuff," it gets tough.  The past few years- especially this past year- have been a time of major reflection on all areas of life.  Blogging has served as a vehicle to not only express, but to develop a viewpoint, a style, a preference, in topics ranging from nail polish and t.v. to friendship and parenting.

But it's also served as a reminder of my incessant tendency (or flaw) to let life take over- even without a full-time job to stand in my way.  Time and time again, Busyness becomes my list, my occupation, my existence.  As much as I strive to live with purpose- with intention- the same ol' pattern resurfaces... days, weeks, months go by filled with stress, meaninglessness, busyness.  I let it take the driver seat, while I become a passenger heading towards an undetermined location, or worse- an undesired one.

Simply put- list-making and prioritizing are no longer a nice-to-do on the rare occasion that I am not busy, but a MUST.
 
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I was so happy to find out that two of my good friends, Danielle, @ Ellinad Spir, and Emily, @ Notorious MLE are on the same wavelength.  We decided to tackle this fear, and accomplish this goal together- with the help of this made-for-us planner- Listography 2011 Weekly Calendar... both organization and reflection in one fabulous book!  At the beginning of each week, we will fill out our to-do's, along with the corresponding list, which we'll post every Wednesday.  On my sidebar is the complete list of each week's topic- ranging (as it states on the back of the book) from autobiographical, to aspirational, to holiday-specific.

Do you want to join us??  If so, check out next week's topic, make your list, post it on Wednesday, and link up!  If you're not up for every list, just pick and choose the ones you want to complete and post... and share em with us!  A perfect way to get to know more about yourself and others, to ponder your past, to consider your future, to inspire and be inspired, and best of all- new blogger friends in the process!  If you want to start this week, head over to Danielle's to read her list, and add a link to your list.  Next week- on the 5th [topic:  List books that made you cry.], the link will be over at Emily's (we're rotating)!  No link?  Just put your list in the comment section.

So, without further ado, my first list of the year...



We're in San Jose for a week of holiday celebration and relaxation.  I look forward to starting the new year in a calm, focused, and energized state of mind.  HAPPY NEW YEAR to each and every one of you!
   

19 comments:

  1. Great list! I love how it is written. I could just copy it and say 'ditto!'

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  2. I'm in! Love Love this idea. Will work on list and post link tomorrow. Happy 2011! xo

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  3. I love the format. You'll have to give Danielle and I a tutorial on how you wrote your list in graphic form.

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  4. This is such a great idea, Torrie! I'm going to start making my own list too. I hope you're having a great time in San Jose! Sounds like a great way to relax before starting a new year.

    xo
    Valerie

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  5. This is such a good idea. I'll join in when I can. I've been having a work/life crisis lately and I think as long as I don't treat it as an obligation it may help me figure out where I want/need to go in 2011.

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  6. wow - i'm so glad you posted this! i love it! and i seem to be on the same wavelength too - my NYE resolutions post is set for thurs and involves a list of 50 things i want to do this year - perfect to link up! and it seems to have a lot of the same things yours does, just more detailed (do, move, give, etc). although, i love the simplicity of yours. this will be fun to do from time to time (when i have time!) :) great idea.

    i am the same way too about favorites, etc - i don't have a favorite movie, or book, or actor, etc. i just don't - there are many things i enjoy, but not favorites per say. so i understand you on that one!

    have a great vacation!

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  7. I love your list and everything about it! Good luck with everything! I will be making my own list of course, I like lists! :)


    http://annawalker1992.blogspot.com/

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  8. Wow, what a list, Torrie! I love the categories you created. I enjoy making a list each year of goals I want to accomplish but this doesn't usually come together until the first week of January. Have a fun, relaxing time in San Jose. And Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  9. What a great list Torrie. Wow- if you could see my list of to do this new year you would freak out. Not that I will accomplish it all but I am a "lister" and I do intended to mark off some of the items! Hope you are having a great time in San Jose! Happy New Year! Love ya
    XO
    Jessica

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  10. Love your list! I am joining the list parade because I love categorizing and making lists. Makes me feel so organized :)
    Time management is so crucial, love the time intended and time doing, let us know how you accomplish that!!

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  11. Love it! I hope to do something similar.
    Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy New Year!

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  12. Hi Torrie! The more I visit you, the more I get the sense that we would close the place down should we ever meet in person somwhere. LOL! This is great! And I have been on the same journey myself. It's wonderful to share these things and blogging has been such an outlet in this way for me too.
    I have a bad habit of signing up for these things and then getting stressed out because it's something I need to get done but I'd very much LOVE to participate when I can. It's such a great idea.
    Hope you are enjoying the first day of the year.
    All the best!
    Tina

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  13. how funny torrie, i just posted "goals for 2011" before reading your post. guess i'm on the same wavelength without even trying... =) off to check out your links. look forward to all the lists. i too, am a list maker! shocking.

    happy new year! here's to getting some great use out of those wellies over the next day or so!

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  14. I loved this post. I can absolutely relate. I too need to organize my life big time and purge, I have way too much crap.

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  15. ha ha great idea. I love your blog b/c you always have such creative and fresh ideas. I am going to see what you do and then decide if i can tackle this. Hope you had a lovely holiday and Happy New Year to you Torrie!

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  16. I decided this year to use Google Calendar and plan out my posts for the month. Making lists of things to do for the blog and planning has been so helpful. Now I just wonder if I should stick with Google Calendar or get a cute journal/planner instead. It's always nice to keep lists and jot down ideas.

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  17. I think this idea is fab !
    Even though I am 2 weeks behind I will post and catch up !

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  18. I'm behind the eight ball on the Listography thing but I already had my list drawn up and posted on my "Year Forty Seven" page

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