During years of office jobs, I saved one-side-used copy paper destined for the waste bin and sliced stacks into 8-1/2 x 11 sheets for a copious supply of “scratch” paper. I use these for grocery lists, menus, chores to do, websites to remember, factoids from public affairs radio programming like Democracy Now, and Richard Wolff’s Economic Update, and miscellaneous information like: Omission Gluten Free Beer – IPA 6.7%, Pale Ale 5.8%

Bless the inventors of post-it notes, especially the 3×3 size. Post-its can go up on a white board, stick to the front of almost anything, and allow me to organize and re-prioritize tasks without having to rewrite a list entirely. Yes, I am low tech in this regard. Right now, I have post-its on my computer screen listing who I need to email, a couple of passwords (dangerous?), links I need to follow up on, a NetFlix recommendation, and a TED talk that conductor Mei-Ann Chen said was an inspiration.

A sampling:

“Under 100 people worldwide (mostly Americans) have more wealth than the remaining 3.5 billion people in the world.”

“Plant garlic, make salmon salad, eggs and potatoes tomorrow”

“Unions are there to make sure you get what you earn; pensions are deferred payment for what you earned.”

Book Timothy Snyder — On Tyranny: 26 Lessons from the Twentieth Century

Get from Library DVD Borgen (3 Seasons) “the Danish West Wing” (I did and it is spectacular).

I started this post a while ago and put it aside for more urgent matters, but in this season of “making a list and checking it twice” it feels appropriate. We all have to figure out some way to organize our lives, remember things amidst media assaults from all sides, learn and grow.

Lately, I’ve added items of self-care: call Colleen for walk; yoga and stretching 9-10; ankle exercises. I added to my screen saver the word “breathe.”

What do you do to stay on top of your tasks and responsibilities? How to do make sure you take care of yourself?