5 “Stop Doing” List Ideas To A Happier Life
I’m overwhelmed and not sure what to do about it?
So, what the heck is a "Stop Doing List?" I like to call this list my sanity-saver list. A Stop Doing List comprises all the things you are committed to not doing.
We are stewards of our time, talent, and treasure, and a Stop Doing List honors God and ourselves. We are giving ourselves permission to say yes to those things that feed our souls and help us live a life of passion and make an impact.
The beauty of the "Stop Doing List is that it forces you to evaluate how your activities relate to your passion and the impact you want to make.
If you are unsure where to start, consider my top 5 Things to add to your "Stop Doing List" for inspiration.
Stop Doing List item #1 - Following “perfect people” on FB/Youtube.
Reduce the time you spend on social media. Social media can be a time-sucking, soul-stripping activity that leaves questioning your existence.
If you are not careful, you will overlook all the wonderful things about yourself and only see yourself through how you feel you don't measure up.
If you feel down whenever you are on Facebook or YouTube, consider taking a sabbatical from social media. You will save both your time and your sanity.
Stop Doing List Item #2: Let go of the emotional vampires in your life
If you want to be depressed, turn on the TV; you do not need emotional vampires to help you. Emotional vampires are people I half-jokingly say will complain about taxes if they win the lottery.
Do yourself a favor and find people that uplift you. Even if it's someone on a podcast. I truly believe God created tools like an unfollow button and the ability to send people straight to voice mail for emotional vampires.
Give these people the gift of releasing them to find like-minded people just like them.
Stop Doing List Item #3: Stop volunteering for everything (I am speaking to myself)
At times I think my brain must translate someone’s question to do something into a yes. I have gotten a lot better, but occasionally I will have a relapse and go into a “Yes” autopilot mode.
I now have a list of what types of activities I will say no to and activities I will say yes to in the future. The activities I keep are the ones that align with who God created me to be and how I want to serve my community and my family.
I say to my kids that the word “No” is a complete sentence, and saying no to someone is character-building. Ladies, even God rested on the 7th day.
Stop Doing List Item#4: Stop feeling guilty about wanting to choose the easier way of doing something because it costs money.
There is nothing wrong with paying money for convenience. I am a big believer in choosing the path of least resistance and work. The right method isn't always the one you read about the most, it's the one that works best for you.
For instance, if you struggle to budget, choose a system that works for you. We love YNAB (You need a Budget), but that’s us. I have friends that swear by Good Budget, Tiller, Mint, or EveryDollar- all excellent budgeting tools for different people.
If you struggle with meal planning, make it as easy as possible- spaghetti, hamburgers, breakfast for dinner, sandwiches with soup. It’s Ok if the food wasn’t handpicked in the Alps by handmaidens.
Pay for a meal kit service, pay for grocery delivery, and use easy recipes on websites like emeals and Stockpile Moms. Your sanity is worth spending a few extra dollars on convenience.
Stop Doing List Item#5-Stop over-scheduling.
This one probably needs to be on a national "Stop Doing List." We live in a culture that celebrates having every area of your life crammed with meetings.
A quote says if the devil can’t make you bad, he will make you busy. I believe “busyness” becomes a barrier between you and God. You can’t hear him over your to-do list.
The COVID-19 Shutdown became my automatic "Stop Doing List." I automatically had to cancel events and activities. I had no idea how much we were running around like chickens with our heads cut off.
We realized that “nothing time” is valuable, and we made an effort to have more of it. It meant saying no and skipping calls.
But, having “nothing time” to lay on our trampoline and watch the stars with our kids, go on family walks, and time to “Be Still and Know God” has given us rest in a way I didn’t realize we needed.
Recap
If you’re struggling to get organized, sometimes they is to create a “Stop Doing List” vs. creating a list that will give you even more anxiety. As you’re creating your Stop Doing List Consider the following:
Stop following people on social media
Let go of emotional vampires
Learn to say no
Give yourself permission to spend in areas of struggle or dislike
Stop overscheduling (read #3)
Next Steps
Pick one Stop Doing Item
Decide how you will implement
If needed role play your implement. (i.e. how will you say no)
