I know I’m a few days behind on the Blogger Challenge that I’ve joined, but I’m taking the “list post” idea, doing it late and thinking outside the box. I’m also taking this opportunity to give a shout out to my mom, who I am certain doesn’t read this, but want to recognize publicly anyway.
I love making lists. A few weeks ago, I posted a fun list about Douchebags. But I’m not going to make this entry a traditional list-post like that. I just want to talk about how much I love to make lists. I was talking to Matt today, half-conscious, half-napping after work, and I realized that the purpose of my blog is not to get discovered as a writer (I have no interest in being a writer), nor is it really to keep people apprised of my life anymore. Sure, the blog started out when I moved to Thailand, as a way to put my shenanigans all in one location for the reading pleasure of a few close friends. But now it’s more of an emotional release for me, similar to how I had a Livejournal quite a few years ago. I feel like getting all my thoughts and problems out of my head and into print somehow makes them less threatening. Without the venting outlet of a blog or a firey text message to a friend, my problems would bounce around in my mind forever with seemingly no solution. And even though I don’t care too much if anyone reads it, because the only thing I’m trying to achieve is to get out of my own head, it secondarily offers a forum for advice or helpful insights from people who have been there before, or just want to offer their supportive words. (I do kind of care if people read it, it’s nice.)
But lists made on the back of envelopes and scraps of paper rule my life. I have my mother to thank for this trait of mine. I will make list upon list upon list: groceries, chores, life, bills, 5-year plans, errands to run, etc etc. In a similar way with my blog and my emotions, a list gets my duties out from bouncing around in my head and onto paper, where I no longer need to worry about forgetting to get them done. I can’t forget to get them done, they’ve been immortalized on the back of a SaskEnergy envelope until they get crossed off one by one. I just find them immensely helpful and they keep me organized and sane. Without them, bills would not get paid, the fridge would be empty and I would have no idea how many years it would be until we can afford to start having babies and weddings (not necessarily in that order).
Thanks, Mom!
