My to-do lists have recently each seemed as long as me. Ay! Overwhelming. You know the type, I’m sure! At first glance each list leaves me longing to simply curl up in a ball, house cat style, to just ignore all tasks completely. Sort of an: If I can’t see them, they can’t see me type of thing. It’d be nice sometimes, no?

Yet things need to get done, so we drudge our ways through the busy days (rhyme!) robotically scratching things off almost as if we’ve been set to autopilot.

Dogs fed? Stretches Done? Bills paid? Deadline met? Enough exercise? Meal made? etc.

And on and on and on it goes. Day in, day out, and day back in again. 

Yet, this morning prior to tackling the extremely messy, doodled and almost illegible handwritten list of my own, I was slooowly drinking my coffee and clicking my way through cyberspace (avoidance and procrastination are key when dealing/non-dealing with to-do lists…) when I stumbled on a list that has now made me appreciate and - dare I say it? - even enjoy tackling the most mundane and even dreaded tasks on my to-do lists. Yup!

“Be grateful.” “Trust.” “You are one of a kind.” “Happiness.” 

All of these (and many, many other) keywords on the above list, gave me the slap around the head I needed to remember that not so long ago, a to-do list would have been absolutely impossible for me. I longed for a to-do list - whether only one task long or two. I remember back to when, along with impossibly unexplainable horrific pain, walking was an absolute impossibility, leaving me to sob for the fact that I couldn’t just get up to simply do a silly chore such as clear the dishes. 

I’m about to leave too many out, but now think of those in the hospital desperately waiting on good news, the paralyzed & paraplegic for whom everything is ‘that’ much more difficult, and all those confined by any severe or chronic illness: the ones whose houses have slowly become remote island prisons.

Imagine their craving for normality. The hustle-and-bustle of everyday life. Namely - the hassle of a to-do list. 

Sometimes all you need is a little perspective to shake your system. Does this mean that I’ll forever sing like Cinderella everyday as I make my bed? I’m guessing probably or definitely not. But I will always appreciate that I was able to do it! From now on, I’ll be thankful for the hassle of my to-do lists, each silly little chore will be looked on as an honor, and as for all those fantastically satisfying check marks? Visible signs allowing me to count up my many blessings. :)

I hope that you’re day has been stress and pain free! Stay warm if you’re somewhere cold. Wear sunscreen if you’re somewhere hot. 

Lots of love, Danielle xx

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Oops! I have no idea why the following picture has decided to be the most hideous stretched out thing in the world? But in honor of Rare Disease Day falling this week please “Raise Your Hand” to support those affected by a rare disease (CRPS/RSD included!) simply by clicking below. Even better! - for every click, Lundbeck will make a $1.00 donation to support rare disease research through the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). YAY! 

Click Away! Then tell some people about it and have them click some more! xx

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