I have been working on my annoying shit to do list for several weeks now, and as much as I kind of hoped that all this stuff would be easy to cross off, my years of avoidance feel somewhat justified by how truly annoying all of these things are. Everything that should take one trip or call takes at least two or three.
I walked into an empty post office to turn in my passport application and was told I’d have to call and make an appointment. So I did. And then walked back there the next morning where my application was accepted without anyone asking if I had an appointment. Stood outside in 100+ degree heat at the DMV to be told that because of something that was not my fault at all, I’d need to obtain another document and come back later. I went to the dentist, got a filling replaced, and then when it still felt sensitive a week later, I had to go back so that they could fix their mistake. All of this required time away from work.
It has been expensive too. At first my attitude was, “I don’t care how much anything costs, as long as I can get it done,” but then I looked at my bank account and said, “Oh.” $130 here, $60 there, and then another $20. But I did discover $94 in unpaid wages, so it hasn’t all been losses. I’d still be happy to pay whatever is necessary to get everything taken care of.
It bothers me that the list is still not complete, but I am making more progress than I have in a long time. Just another trip to the DMV, getting rid of my car, some annoying calls to a student loan company, and another trip to the doctor. As annoying as this stuff is, I get such a feeling of satisfaction when I can cross something off my list that has been there for years. It gives me that I Can Do Anything! feeling. Even more so than some of my accomplishments that are actually impressive.
I can see why I have avoided some of these things for so long. They’ve remained the small obstacles at my feet that keep me from focusing on the big and scary stuff. “Oh, I would do that, but first I have to take care of this and this and this.” A whole list of convenient excuses to stay exactly where I am.
Internet, the next time you hear about this list, I’ll be done with it!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
ughhhh I had to go back to the dentist to get a filling fixed not once but TWICE. That’s 3 times on the same filling! I requested a different dentist after that. Good job on the list progress though! I’m pretty good about things like that, I think because my mom set an almost too-good example of never putting off the annoying shit.
Thank you for the status update!
I understand the necessity for people, to do lists. I have always had failure with this concept.I genuinely do not like lists that goad me into failure.
I use outlook to plan most of my daily activities so when I came across a blog, by a guy who shares my opinion of lists, his alternative made sense to me.
Have a read, it might give you a pleasant, alternative outlook on things to do.
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/to-do_lists_dont_work.html
Oh, this made me laugh! They don’t call it an annoying shit list for nothing! But kudos to you… I need to get cracking on my own. And I literally feel your dental pain… last year I went in kicking and screaming and walked out with 5 cavities, no insurance, natch. I’m sure 80-year-old Jessica will thank me (assuming I ever get this last cavity filled…)
I’m this person, so badly. I’m constantly letting my annoying shit pile up and then I get into these MUST CONQUER ALL moods where I attempt to fix everything that ever was. I think I get off on the crossing things off that list high.