Do You Have A Non Negotiable List?

Do you sometimes feel as if you are at the bottom of your own priority list? Everyone else’s needs are met by you on a daily basis and you often haven’t got anything left for you.  Me too!  As a mum, I wear many hats and have so much going on that some days, scrap that MOST days, there simply isn’t anything left for me.

 

A week or so ago I read a great post from my friend Katie from Pouting in Heels, her Non Negotiable List and it really got me thinking how useful a list like this would be for me.  I have a personality type which means I will always help others and get things done for other people, but not so much for myself.  So I need help to focus each day on things I could do  to make me happier and also to give some incentive to stick to it.

 

Then my lovely friend Hannah from Budding Smiles tagged me to write my non-negotiable list, so I got to work.

 

My Non-Negotiable List

 

Here are the things I need in my life to make me happier and more contented (family and friends aside).

 

• Reading

 

There was a time when I was a real book worm and I do miss reading books so much.  I read a lot each day, but I am only reading blogs and websites which I love, but it isn’t helping me to get through my ever expanding reading list.  So I need to make a commitment to read more books and fit it in with my life in a way it will be easy for me to do.  I put Baby to bed each night and I sit beside her bed while she drifts off; I usually use this time for social media tasks, but from now on this 15 minutes or so each day will be to read something that is not a blog. I am currently reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear* and next on my list is Steal Like An Artist*.  I will let you know how I get on with both of them.

 

• Polished Nails

 

I have very poor nails, which are constantly breaking and splitting, so are never long. I do feel better though when they are painted; it makes me feel a little more put together.  Recently, I picked up a Rokit Gel Polish Professional Kit*, which when applied lasts far longer than usual varnish, so I have no excuse.

• Tea

 

I could not live (happily) without tea.  I am often on various diets, some limiting milk, but I have come to realise that life is too short to deprive myself of tea (with lots of milk) so I will no longer do so.  Brew anyone?

 

 

• 3 good things

 

I write a weekly ‘happy list’, but I think writing down 3 good things each day would really help me to keep my focus firmly on the positive in my life and not to let the small negative things pull me down.

 

 

• Never work never past midnight

 

I know to some people this will seem extreme, but I frequently work past midnight. In my goals for 2016 I said I would stop working at 11.30pm, but I am failing in this at the moment.  What I think is important to me though, is for there to be a clear division between each day.  At the moment I am grabbing my phone if Baby wakes up and I need to sit in her room, often meaning I am still doing things at 2, 3 or 4 am, then starting the next day when we wake up at 6am.  So from now on, if I am up in the middle of the night I will be reading a book not working.

 

 

Do you think a non negotiable list could help you?  Why not write one?  If you are a blogger then I tag you all and if you are not a blogger just pop your list in the comments, I would love to see what you have decided not to live without.

 

 

 

*These links are affiliate links, meaning I earn a couple of pence if you chose to buy the item.  I only share products that I love or that are on my own wish lists though.