Topic: The Ever Growing To-Do-List
Have you ever had one of those days, where you’re staring at your ceiling and thinking about your to-do-list? I swear, my ceiling started out innocent—just a blank canvas for my thoughts—but now it looks like it’s about to implode under the weight of dishes, laundry, and that spreadsheet my boss “kindly” reminded me about yesterday.
“Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.”
— Don Marquis
At first, the tasks were simple: wash the dishes, fold laundry, maybe water the plants. But somehow, somewhere along the line, my list mutated into a rogue entity: reorganize the bedroom, alphabetize the spice rack, and somehow, yes somehow, clean my entire digital photo library.
How did I get here? Honestly, I feel like I’ve been swallowed by this endless monster, and the monster has an agenda I can’t even read.
I’ll admit it—I love feeling productive. That little rush of checking something off? Pure serotonin. But lately, I’ve caught myself staring at my list and thinking, Do I actually get anything done, or am I just feeding this beast?
And then I feel a little… silly. Like maybe I’ve been single for too long—not from a dating perspective, but from a mental space where I can’t stop obsessing over tiny tasks instead of just breathing.
So today, I’m grabbing my metaphorical shovel and a cup of something strong and warm, because we’re going to dig ourselves out of this ever-growing pit of chores together. If you’re anything like me, your list probably winks at you as you scroll social media, daring you to get back to it.
Well, we’re not giving in—at least not without a little self-awareness and humor. So, grab your favorite drink, and slip on your fuzzy socks and let’s talk about my uncanny ability to transform from an organized adult to full-on venom tasks… I mean surely I’m not the only one…right?
The Cat’s Mind at Work
Ever wonder why our to-do lists never shrink, no matter how many hours we spend crossing things off? Mine definitely feels like it has a secret life of its own.
I read about the psychology behind our ever growing to-do-lists and two sneaky culprits are at play here:
1. The Zeigarnik Effect – try saying that five times fast. Basically, our brains hate unfinished tasks. They poke at us, whispering reminders until we deal with them. Pair that with the little dopamine rush from checking things off, and now your list multiplies faster than rabbits.
2. The Planning Fallacy – humans are terrible at estimating time. I’ve literally told myself, “I can fold all this laundry in ten minutes,” only to find myself in a wrestling match with socks and fitted sheets.
🧠 “Our brains are wired to obsess over unfinished tasks, which keeps the list growing faster than we can handle.”
And let’s not forget the fear of forgetting. To fight it, we write every little thing: “buy groceries,” “Water the garden,” “rearrange the furniture.” Crossing off tiny tasks feels great at the moment, but it’s just an illusion of productivity. The list doesn’t actually shrink – it grows, because now we’re hooked on the mini wins
So instead of giving us peace of mind, our list often tricks us into chasing fake progress, all while the real priorities pile up in the background.
It’s like outbrains are wired to obsess over unfinished tasks. Tricking us into adding more items to the list instead of finding balance.
When the List Bites Back
At first glance, the to-do list seems like a friend. But leave it unchecked, and it can become the tyrant of your life.
Yes to-do lists are helpful to organize our lives, but the effectiveness depends on how it’s used. Poor use can actually hinder your productivity and well-being
Last week my list got so out of hand that instead of tackling the ‘big scary tasks,’ I ended up reorganizing my spice rack alphabetically. Let me tell you, cumin and cinnamon have never looked so smug.
Meanwhile, the laundry still sat there, giving me the side-eye like a judgmental cat. Classic me: conquering parsley but ignoring the pile of socks.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Overwhelm & Stress: The list is meant to assist, not control.
- Perfectionism & Burnout: Unrealistic goals = mental exhaustion.
- Procrastination: Too many items = paralyzed decision-making.
- Lack of Flexibility: A rigid list is like handcuffs for your brain.
Even when you think you’re winning, the list has a sneaky way of reminding you who’s really in charge.
⚡ “A to-do list isn’t a magic pill — it works best when used thoughtfully, not blindly.
Managing the Strays
Okay, now for the fun part: how do we tame the beast without losing our minds?
Spoiler: no app or planner is going to do it for you. It’s about recognizing distractions and learning to work with them.
Think of distractions like stray cats in your life:
- Digital Strays 🐾: Notifications, social media, emails. They meow incessantly for attention.
- External Strays 🐾:Noisy coworkers, cluttered desks, that one colleague who always pops up. They tangle you up like yarn in their paws.
- Internal Strays 🐾: Procrastination, fatigue, overthinking. Sneaky little fuzzballs that derail your day. The sneakiest of all.
So, how do we manage the list without letting the strays take over? Well, I’m glad you asked, Here are some
Practical fixes:
- Reframing the list → Track progress, don’t judge your worth.
- Prioritizing Smartly → Break big tasks into bite-sized pieces.
- Silence Digital Noise → Notifications off, focus blocks on.
- Time-Block Work → Dedicated deep work + rest intervals. Dedicate focused sessions for deep work & breaks for rest
- Declutter the Space → Clear desk = clearer mind.
- Engage Self-Awareness → Notice personal triggers and work around them.
“The goal isn’t to conquer your to-do list, but to make peace with it.”
Tail-Tucked Thoughts
So yes, the list will still grow. There will still be times when it feels like a monster waiting to pounce. But with a little self-awareness, humor, and perspective, it stops being a tyrant and starts being a guide—a helpful, slightly mischievous guide, but a guide nonetheless.
And if all else fails… grab a cup of tea, step away from the list, and let it wait its turn. You deserve that.
Not all hope is lost! Celebrating even small victories keeps morale high.
“Think of each checkmark as a tiny paw print of progress—adorable, small, and meaningful.”
So tell me—what’s your relationship with your to-do list? Are you the kind of person who tames it with color-coded planners and bullet journals?
Or does your list roam wild, like a stray cat that refuses to be caught? I’d love to hear how you wrestle (or cuddle) with your tasks in the comments
-Quill
