Lorri@Mabon_House 1/6/26 Lorri@Mabon_House 1/6/26

My To-Do List Will Never Be Done - And That’s Okay

Last week, I wrote about chasing a feeling and how life can feel perpetually just out of reach. This week, I want to explore the idea of completion - of checking off every box on your to-do list. Because let’s be honest— as a society we are obsessed with it. There are whole platforms like Notion, Trello, and Microsoft Planner dedicated to helping people get stuff done.

My toxic trait is making a completely unhinged to-do list for myself and then feeling frustrated when I cross off 2-3 items at most. Sure, there’s something cathartic about ticking a box and the deep satisfaction of finishing something. But lately, I’ve noticed my to-do lists never seem to shrink. In fact, they only seem longer. And usually, this correlates with an uptick in stress in my life.

I think know stress drives me to make lists as a way to establish some semblance of control. But the lists often become useless because I never come close to finishing them. Here’s the thing: if you are like me, your to-do lists are never finished. There’s always one lurking in the shadows, waiting to steal your Saturday morning or swallow your after-work routine—all with the promise that this list will finally get you organized and get your sh!t together.

As Jack Nicholson says in The Witches of Eastwick—one of my all-time favorite movies—“You wash the dishes, there’s more to wash tomorrow.” Sure, in the movie he’s literally the devil trying to convince Cher to eschew her domestic responsibilities and sleep over, but he’s not wrong about the dishes. Some things in life will never be done. Yet we tackle them like they can be. And that’s how frustration and overwhelm creep in.

I enjoy a clean house, but not at the expense of my limited free time and energy. At some point, it’s okay to say: this is good enough. The floors don’t need to sparkle, the laundry doesn’t need to be folded immediately, and the dishes can wait until morning. The same goes for your to-do list. It’s okay to cap it at two or three things instead of trying to do everything in a single day. Doing a few things well—and then resting—often serves us far better than exhausting ourselves in the pursuit of “caught up,” a state that rarely exists anyway.

As we start 2026, many people start plotting the whole new year - new me. If this is you and you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by everything you think you should be tackling this year, I’m here to say—put down the pen and paper, close out your Notes app, and take a beat. Ask yourself: what’s driving the need to accomplish everything right now?

To help, I have my Let It Go List, which I first shared back in 2022. It’s a simple tool that helps you sift through all the things floating around in your brain, and categorize them as important or something to just let go - at least for now. While my priorities have shifted since creating my Let It Go List, much of the advice still rings true. Check out the full post and grab the free download here.

How long is your to-do list? Are you going to let some things go in 2026?

Lorri@Mabon_House 12/31/25 Lorri@Mabon_House 12/31/25

2026: Are We All Just Chasing a Feeling?

As we enter the deepest part of winter in the northern hemisphere, I find it’s a good time to slow down and take stock. I’ve been reviewing my finances, my work and school schedules, and the long list of upcoming tasks. I’ve also been plotting a fun—but frugal—2026.

My post–nursing school bucket list includes:

Binge-watching PBS period pieces (Wolf Hall!)
Enjoying leisurely lunches with friends and family
Planning an actual vacation where I leave the state of Maine—not just a few days off from classes
Organizing my cupboards (for reasons I can’t fully explain, I’ve been longing to do this all year)
Trying new seasonal recipes
Creating a new painting every month
Reading a new book every month (recommendations welcome)

But the thing I’m most looking forward to in 2026 is simplifying my life and no longer having to balance work and school. I long for the days when I’m not studying, or thinking about studying, or feeling guilty that I haven’t studied enough. The closer I get to the end of my nursing program, the more I fantasize about the glorious, simple, cottage-core life waiting for me on the other side.

And then, all at once, I have to remind myself that what I have right now is good. That it’s okay to be happy, content, even joyful in the present, even if life feels messy. I don’t need to delay my happiness until some mythical endpoint where all my stressors politely pack up and leave me alone among my flower beds and journals. Because that day is not coming.

There will always be something to worry or fret about. At least for me—because that’s how I’m wired. Maybe it’s because I’m an eldest daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter (the trifecta). Or maybe my tendency to overthink stems from past trauma I’m only now able to start processing.

Whatever the reason, I’ve spun this tale in my head before: Life will be great when… That way of thinking is deeply ingrained in my psyche—I could walk it blindfolded. But I’m old enough now to know that I cling to bright, shiny futures not because they’re true, but because they’re familiar. And familiarity feels safe.

It’s easy to outsource our joy to the future. To hide in planning mode when what we really need is action. As long as we idealize what could be, we miss out on what is. And friends, I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to let go of that old way of thinking.

If you want to simplify your life, it probably requires action—not just thoughts. Want your home to be easier to care for? You likely need to declutter. Want to get your finances in order? You have to sit down and make a budget. Tired of feeling like you’re spinning your wheels? You may need to be honest with yourself about what’s working, a little less honest about what you wish were working, and move accordingly.

For me, the life I long for often feels perpetually just out of reach—I can almost brush it with my fingertips. And while I’ve gotten better at taking action and rethinking what happiness and peace actually look like, there are still days when I feel frustrated that I’m grappling with the same old problems. But maybe that’s just life. Isn’t there always something—or someone—that becomes a thorn in your side? If I’m not careful, I could easily fritter away the rest of my days waiting for perfection.

And maybe the work, now, is this: learning to stop waiting. To stop treating peace like a reward I’ll earn later, once I’ve finished becoming who I think I’m supposed to be. Maybe a simpler life doesn’t arrive all at once on the other side of an ending, but in small, imperfect choices made right here—while things are unfinished, while I’m still learning, while the cupboards are half-organized and the future remains unknowable. Maybe this moment, messy and incomplete as it is, is already asking me to stay.

Do you ever feel like you are chasing a life that always feels out of reach? What helps you stay grounded in the present, while still looking forward to the future?

Lorri@Mabon_House 3/21/24 Lorri@Mabon_House 3/21/24

How to Declutter Without Giving Away All Your Stuff

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Decluttering isn't just about getting rid of stuff—it's an important step in creating an intentional home where every item serves a purpose and brings joy. Many of us feel overwhelmed by clutter, but with the right approach, tidying up can become a manageable and rewarding process. Decluttering can seem like a daunting task, especially when it feels like you have to part with many of your belongings in order to be more organized. But here’s the thing - you can tidy up your space without saying goodbye to everything you own.

Here are some simple strategies that will help you declutter and organize while still holding onto the things that matter most:

Start Small: Tackling an entire room at once might feel overwhelming. Instead, begin with a small area like a drawer or a shelf. This approach allows you to see progress quickly and keeps you from feeling discouraged.

Set Goals: Before you begin, establish clear goals for what you want to achieve. Maybe you want to create more space in your bedroom or make your living room feel more organized. Having specific goals will guide your decluttering process.

The Three-Box Method: As you go through your belongings, use the three-box method: one box for items to keep, one for items to donate or sell, and one for items to throw away. This method helps you make decisions about each item as you come across it.

Ask Yourself Questions: When deciding whether to keep or let go of something, ask yourself questions like:

- Do I use this item regularly?

- Does it bring me joy or serve a purpose?

- Can I easily replace it if needed?

Declutter by Category: Instead of tackling your entire home at once, declutter by category. Start with clothing, then move on to books, kitchen items, and so on. This approach allows you to focus on one type of item at a time and prevents you from feeling overwhelmed.

Be Mindful of Sentimental Items: It's okay to hold onto items that have sentimental value, but be mindful of how many you keep. Consider taking photos of sentimental items before letting them go to preserve the memories without taking up physical space.

Create Storage Solutions: Invest in storage solutions like bins, baskets, and shelves to help keep your belongings organized. Having designated places for everything makes it easier to maintain a clutter-free space.

Practice the One In, One Out Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, consider letting go of something else. This rule helps prevent clutter from building up over time and encourages mindful consumption.

Rotate Seasonal Items: Store seasonal items like holiday decorations or winter clothing in bins when not in use. Rotating these items throughout the year keeps your space from feeling overcrowded.

Celebrate Your Progress: Decluttering is a journey, not a destination. Celebrate your progress along the way, no matter how small. Remember that every item you let go of brings you one step closer to a more organized and peaceful home.

Decluttering doesn't have to mean getting rid of everything you own. By following these simple strategies, you can tidy up your space while still holding onto the things that are most important to you.