Free write 10/1

Free Write--A Reflection About Lists

My history with lists

Since I was relatively young, I remember having vast collections of digital post-its on my laptop. I would list upcoming deadlines, personal goals for myself and anything else in my life that could be conceivably be organized into a list. My prepubescent self made lists of girls I thought were cute; conceivably to keep track of what girls I found interesting at the time. When I went through a phase where I was into winning online radio contests, I would catalog all of the interesting local radio stations so that I could make sure I regularly submitted applications to all of their online sweepstakes. When I first started exercising and lifting weights in my sophomore year of highschool I would track all of the new workouts I was learning in long form lists. I have used an agenda for school since I was a middle schooler-- helping me track upcoming assignments and due dates in a central place.

Lists In My Present Day

Like I implied in my previous paragraph, I still use lists heavily both for my personal life and academic career. Instead of the archaic digital post-it note, I have since transitioned to using Evernote, an application that allows me to create and manipulate lists in ways that my teenage self could never have imagined. I still use an agenda for school related items, mostly because I find it convenient and have used this medium for many years.

I think that lists allow me to feel like I’m more in control of my typically hectic school life, even if it is a superficial feeling. In some cases making lists is a negative trait-- allowing me to compartmentalize my life and then quickly forget sections that I classify as lower priority. In a way it makes me content with having unfinished business-- even if all i’ve done is make and organize a list. With that said, some things genuinely belong in lists, grocery items that I can’t be bothered to remember from week to week, deadlines for submission dates etc. Also some lists allow me the space to reflect on mistakes and failures. However, I feel for less-immediate tasks lists serve as a way for me to procrastinate on things that I really should just be trying to get done.

In the future I will undoubtedly use lists, but I hope to utilize them in ways that enhance my productivity rather than just organize my thoughts and goals. I will do this my making my lists more specific and manageable and scheduling them into my weekly planner so I can work on accomplishing the things I would typically put into a list.