Tick off me-time

SIMON SWIFT, EXECUTIVE EDITOR (DIGITAL)

I love a to-do list. Sometimes, I put ‘write a list’ at the top, so by the time I’ve compiled my litany of daily chores I have something to cross off immediately. Don’t laugh – any achievement is a boost! But I’ve noticed lately that my list is all about life admin. Important but oh-so dull. So, I’ve been prioritising creativity alongside the chores. ‘Write a letter to a friend’ (I used the good notepaper I’d been saving in the bureau); ‘cook a recipe you’ve never tried before’ (who knew what tartiflette was and how good it tastes?). All these things are as essential as ‘defrost the freezer’. Call it what you like – self-care, being creative or making time for yourself – it really is one of the most important things to tick off your list.