Discovering a Daily Rhythm Without To Do Lists

Something happened to me recently. Something unplanned and unexpected..which I guess is exactly what would happen when you, well, don’t plan. I stumbled upon a delightful daily rhythm.

It wasn’t intentional, but each day as I went through my morning routine of reading, praying and journaling, it would end there…with no list marked by bullet points telling me what to do that day.

At first it made me a little anxious. What will I do? How will I account for my time?

But it never failed that when I went to bed at the end of each day, I felt accomplished. Like I’d done exactly what I was supposed to do that day. Even if that meant not doing the dishes or forgetting to do the laundry, or if all I did was get out of bed and change out of my pajamas.

I found a new daily rhythm doing restful things like eating my breakfast on the front porch. And taking a ride with my daughter when she had somewhere to go.

I watched t.v. with my husband.

I read.

I thought, a lot. I thought about selling my house. I thought about my career. I thought about my people.

And, in all that resting and reading and praying and journaling, something happened.

My soul settled.

Peace came. I became a little more comfortable in my own skin. Comfortable whiling a way the time. I learned how to be present and in the moment.

That doesn’t mean I don’t need a list, or to write down what’s on my mind. I do. It just means my daily life is neither dictated nor defined by bullet points.

I encourage you to try it. Give it a week. Let your days unfold. Give yourself quiet. Spend time thinking. Spend time with your people. Read. Pray. Sit. Savor your new daily rhythm.

Bullet points not required.