I was cleaning through old documents on my computer yesterday afternoon, and I found something you will LOVE.
It was in a folder called “Important Lists.” I wrote it 3 years, 8 months and 13 days ago. Nearly two years before I even had a blog.
I am sharing it because it will give you a juicy little glimpse into my past (never before seen by human eyes that are not my own), a very good idea of who I was (and still am), and also a handy little tool that you can use to declare your own self, all at the same time.
It has also served as a refreshing little reminder to me of the constants of my personality.
Before I begin, a few things that might be helpful to know:
- It was written while I was engaged to my husband.
- I got a decent amount of shit from people at the time for being a Susie Homemaker type in my free time.
- And even back then, I felt like I was spread quite dangerously thin.
But enough from my 29-year-old self, let’s hear from my 25-year-old self.
Are you pumped? Here it is:
Dammit List
The things that are so true and obvious that it sounds right to say “dammit” afterwards.
- I tell stories about my cats.
- I don’t have to apologize for liking nerdy things like computer games and Lord of the Rings.
- My wedding day is mine and Jon’s.
- We’re getting married in Chicago because we want to.
- If I want to garden and make homemade bread and sew, nobody can stop me.
Dammit’s I’m working on
- I don’t have to care what anybody thinks about what I do.
- I can wear whatever I want.
- I don’t have to explain myself.
- I don’t have to finish everything on my list.
- I rest when I feel worn out.
- I shouldn’t have to wait for an impending break-down to take a day off.
- I don’t have to be busy all the time.
- I shouldn’t be apologizing for not having a clean house.
Back to the present. First off, has anyone else here played The Sims, and spent as much time perfecting the Sim’s houses as actually living their little pseudo-lives? Just me? OK.
I didn’t give any credit to where the idea for a Dammit List came from, but a quick ask to Auntie Google revealed the source to be The Fluent Self, a blog I frequented at the time. Here is the source and the idea behind the list, in case you want to read more and make your own.
Everything on the list is still true except one—Jon and I did not end up getting married in Chicago, although that was our original plan. We did however, plan a rather unconventional scenario that raised some eyebrows . . . perhaps I will share that another day. But the intent behind the statement rings true.
I might add a few Dammits to the list today, if I might:
- Choosing a course of action for no other reason than, “it makes me happy,” is perfectly legitimate.
- Peanut butter and nutella on the same spoon is a miracle.
- Homemade ketchup takes a shitload of tomatoes and time and energy, and it’s worth it.
- Homemaking shouldn’t suck.
- Working out shouldn’t suck either.
- Eating sushi can simultaneously be a favorite food and a favorite activity.
Now, I’m dying to know: what are the top three truths on your dammit list? Tell me on the comments!
