Gosh, I love lists. Apparently lots of people do, judging from the top 10 lists that are ubiquitous. The creative ones among us branch out a little and make lists with 9 or 14 items for variety. Organizing things in lists just a makes us feel good, like we're getting our lives organized, even when we have no intention of actually completing the listed tasks.
The world of gardening/nature/environment writing holds its own in the list-making department. Popular lists include top 10 plants to attract butterflies, top 10 ideas for small areas, top 10 actions to save the planet. Look, I just made a list!
Making that list gave me a quick jolt of pleasure, but it wore off quickly. Now I will have to make a longer list to get the same effect. Seems to me that lists are an addiction. I can't swear off lists altogether, since without a grocery list we'd be living on toilet paper, club soda, and mixed nuts (look, another list!) I will, however, make an attempt to stop using lists in this blog. I've decided to focus on one thing at a time.
The problem isn't really written lists, it's the list in our heads of all the things we should be doing. A simple walk around my property brings on a sense of complete overwhelm that does not contribute anything positive to my mental health, nor do I accomplish much. Instead of focusing on the task I set out to do, I end up picking up a few sticks, pulling 3 weeds, and pruning for 5 minutes (oops, a list.)
How often do you read the list of changes humans need to make in our lifestyles to prevent climate change versus actually making those changes? See what I mean?
I hearby pledge (at least in this blog) to focus on singular acts that one might undertake to achieve goals. However, I won't stop posting a series of favorite photographs to illustrate my posts, because series are different from lists and totally acceptable, especially when they include butterflies.
