Recently, my older daughter and I went to the post office to apply for her passport.
I’d been dreading this trip for days. Every task associated with it filled me with anxiety — but nothing ended up being as hard as I expected.
And as we walked out of the post office, I felt a giant surge of energy, happiness, and relief. Ah, the ecstasy of crossing something off the list! Even accomplishing the smallest task gives me a little jolt.
This is my new Secret of Adulthood:
Crossing something off the list is very cheering.
(Also: Make sure you know where to find family members’ birth certificates. I was very happy when I found that document in the proper file.)
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“The Ecstasy of Crossing Something Off the List”
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Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 11 Aug 2011
Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.






I love lists- and crossing items off; when I am feeling unproductive I list little items ( brushing hair, getting dressed, doing dishes, etc) just to have more to cross off and yes I LOVE it when I look for something and it is in the proper place! ( Wish I lived alone again- that facet alone is worth the price of a lonely tinge!)