Last week when I posted a photo of the new notebook I ordered (and already received!) Mica asked me what kind of stuff I put in my notebooks. I responded with:
One is all for work notes – I still take notes by hand. And the other is for home where I make lists, write down blog posts ideas, or draft out posts, etc. Right now my work one and home one covers match and I am all :-o.
We’ll just use this picture again because I CANNOT take a photo of the page I am talking about below…
Ha, I didn’t get in to the specifics of the lists in my personal notebook, but one list I sometimes make is “Things Annoying Me.” On those days where I feel like all these stupid little things are annoying me, it helps me to write them out, and see that, yes, they are stupid little things.
The problem is, I took that notebook to my work book club meeting at lunch, and it had it open to that page, while I ripped out a piece of paper to write our book club genres on to draw the next one.
I don’t think anyone was reading my notebook, but I didn’t want them to realize how much weirder I am than they already know, so I said “Oh yeah, don’t read that side! It’s got my list of things that are annoying me today on it!”
Everyone laughed, then someone asked if they were on it. I told them no, that it was more of a general list. Then I read some of the work related stuff on it, because, what the hell:
- People inviting a zillion others to my meetings
- That I keep waking up with work anxiety
- People’s calendars saying they are free, but they aren’t
- (and this was added after lunch but GRRRRRRRRRR) – my computer not letting me log back in after lunch break, right before I need to use it for a meeting (and have to do a forced restart)
- (not on the list, but ugh) – that I had meetings from 8:30-3:00 today
Reading the list out loud actually made me feel better! Maybe I should do that more often… when it’s not inappropriate, anyway? My coworkers were nodding and agreeing with a few of the things on my list, especially the calendar one, ha!
Oh gosh, venting about work with coworkers is one of my favorite activities, hahaha. You HAVE to! I wouldn’t be able to get through my work days without it.
It’s so smart to write down the things that are annoying you when you feel annoyed. I need to get better about doing that. There’s something about writing it out that’s so cathartic!
It helps so much, doesn’t it? To validate what is bothering you!!!!
Let me know if you start doing it and it helps! It sure helps me! I just hope no one ever reads my lists 😉
Honestly, that is SUCH a good and healthy idea! I’ve heard it used in the context of anxiety (i.e.: write down what you’re worried about, and have a scheduled time where you’re allowed to worry about those things. Once it’s on the list, you’re not allowed to worry about it your Worry Time rolls around. I’ve never actually done this, mind you, but I’ve heard it given as a suggestion lots of times.), but it’s totally a great idea for things that are annoying you, too! Just getting things that are in your head onto paper can be a huge relief and really help you move on, whether those things are things that are worrying you, upsetting you, annoying you, or whatever else.
That is such a fantastic idea for anxiety too! I should do that as well. I’ve had some weird anxiety lately and it would help!