To just not 'get the 'daily flying' lists which include things like "Had a shower.." ?

[Chablis]

Firstly, yes, I know IABU, but seriously, can someone explain why people make these long lists of things which include "put the dishwasher on" or "ate breakfast" or "cleaned teeth" as if they are some kind of major achievements on a to-do list?

Surely these are just things you do automatically, as part of living, non?

Surely it takes as long to type these things down, as it does to do them?

So what's the point? Seems a sort of self-delusion of leading a busy, productive lifestyle?

Isn't it all a bit, well, meh?

lol pooexplosions

"perfected cold fusion"

Yes, YABU. People get really 'behind' by letting the little daily things slide for whatever reason, until there's a humongous pile everywhere. Doing one little thing at a time and checking it off a list gives you a sense of achievement and an inkling that there will be more achievements ahead, when you're staring defeat in the face and feeling overwhelmed.

AFAIK, the flylady was living in a trailer or some such unhappy circumstances, that included dv, and things had got her down.

Ah, see now, I did not understand the Flylady threads were only for people who are depressed.

I know that they are extremely popular and well attended.

But don't go putting words into my mouth or making assumptions about me, pooexplosions. That is a very silly thing to do and I won't let you off just because you are depressed.

Er, well, yes, it prob is a sensitive area for some, and I doubt those people would appreciate you describing it that way complete with face (which seems to imply they are weird to be sensitive about it).

Reasosn given by those who chose to share their feelings with you on this thread seem perfectly valid to me and not at all.

They are not just for people who are depressed - there are many other reasons why people need strategies for organisation.

Some people like lists. I like lists in the office.

My preferred method of dealing with housework is to go out for lunch.

But bibbity, surely you are making some assumptions too, if you posted that "went to bank" is a day-to-day achievement that you cannot understand putting on a list? Plenty of people here are pointing out that for them, it simply isn't.

I don't know that it's as simple as the fly threads being only for people who are depressed. They are, though, clearly for people who find that system helpful (some of whom are depressed, others with other reasons). Need we really put them under a microscope to determine whether this is OK with everyone else?

Yes it is most definitely a sensitive area for some people - why the face?

(Glad to know that showering/toothbrushing is acceptable on the Slatterns thread - I may come back to it again, could do with some motivation )

I'm not depressed just absolutely knackered and seem to spend so much time at other peoples beck and call that list just to remind me what I need to do next does help me. I've never been very good at routine or being organised but the way my life is now if I forget to put the dishwasher on in the morning or havent done 3 loads of washing that day I get completely overrun and then it goes downhill.

mathanxiety - thank you - that's a helpful explanation.

No, no, no, no, no.

As I said from the start, I am not making any assumptions about anybody.

Adding that face has made me think you actually are being judgey pants about it, up until then I was willing to give you benefit of the doubt.

I have had periods in my life where brushing my hair / washing / brushing my teeth are major efforts / acheivements. If you 'don't get' that fine, but that doesn't mean those who do should viewed with a face.

YANBU to not "get" why some people want to make these lists, after all you can't possibkly understand everything, but YABU to have it explained why some people like to mark their achievements and then still make faces.

You can feel like crap if you have nothing to say you have achieved some days and having lists where you can put done on them can be a great feeling. Can help to make one feel less useless.

They're absolutely not just for people who are depressed. Lots of people are 'domestically challenged'. The most ardent flybaby I know 'retired' from an architecture career to be a SAHM to her twins and realised she didn't have a clue where to even start when it came to housework. It doesn't come naturally to some people.

If you're good at it, it's probably because somebody took the time to train you somewhere along the line, so you developed the habits that make for a successful and efficient domestic approach.

The point of having 'ate breakfast' on a list is to give someone the feeling of having achieved something when they check it off. It's not that afterwards you can put your feet up. It's meant to be encouraging to see you've managed to check something off the list already and it's only 7 am or whatever, same goes for showering and dressing -- three things before 8 am and maybe 'only 7 more' left for the day can give you hope. The lists do signify progress.

Bibbity - I am so fed up with your assumptions. Why don't you make a list?

1. Stop making assunmptions
2. Give yourself a big smack.

1. piss pants

Don't we all like to cross things off a list? I sometimes put things on my list that i did yesterday just to give me something to tick off...It helps to remember that I have achieved something no matter how insignificant to someone else. We all deserve to try to feel successful at achieving something

When I was really depressed a few years back I was advised to do this. List everything that needed doing. And then tick it off. It helped to see a list that is partly completed even if it's just the everyday things that get ticked.

I much prefer voignier

[passive aggressive]

I had a quick search for your other threads Chablis and I can't find any. Perhaps my search function is broken.

[dyslexic]

As a footnote: I do think, as well, that some people need the "ate breakfast" type items on there not only to cross something off, but also so that they do have a reminder to look after themselves on top of all the other things.

Otherwise v easy to skip over stuff like eating properly, getting dressed properly, etc, because you are too busy loading the washer/managing the kids/whatever. Next thing you know it's 11:30 and you haven't really eaten anything since getting up at 6, and then the rest of your day is unlikely to be productive.

I don't use fly, but this does happen to me ...

I am neither depressed not domestically challenged.

I am however more than a little bit anal.

And I like lists.

And, yes, I sometimes make a to-do list that includes things I've already done because it makes me feel a small sense of achievement.

I even write reminders to pop onto MN to see how a particular thread is going.

Yes, I am a sorry excuse of a person sometimes with all my lists. My husband now groans when I say "Darling, can we sit down, we need to go through a few things, and I've made a list". But I am happy. So there!