Thursday, March 28, 2024 -
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Listing

I truly hope it doesn’t come to this again in Colorado, but it seems we’re at the knife’s edge of another “stay at home” order. These have already come back into effect across Europe, where infections are absolutely exploding. Some countries are at about a 30% infection rate, which makes our 10% seem comfortingly low.

One of my favorite food writers, Californian-turned-Parisian David Lebovitz, recently wrote about his lockdown survival techniques, one of which was list-making.

I found myself nodding enthusiastically. I’ve always been a list maker, and it’s a habit that has served me well during this pandemic.

Speaking to friends across the country, it appears this technique has been useful for a lot of people. I’ve been lucky enough to continue coming into work throughout the pandemic, but when staring down weekends with nowhere to go and nothing to do, these lists have become lifesavers, creating activities for what could seem endless, empty expanses of time.

“Make the list large and tape it to the wall so it’ll seem more important. (Which it is.),” advises Lebovitz.

“As an ex-professional baker, I know the importance of ‘the list’ and how complete it should be. So even something as insignificant as ‘Take a shower’ or ‘Call my aunt’ should go on that list.

“Crossing things off as you accomplish them will make you feel like you’re moving forward and getting things done, and carrying on with life.”

Another favorite of mine is also an avid list-maker: Betsy Ray, the heroine of the children’s series “Betsy-Tacy.” Her lists tend to be less quotidian and more goal oriented. In one episode as a teen, she decides to change her personality, something most teens dabble in at some point. Author Maud Hart Lovelace brings humor to the story when Betsy frequently catches herself violating her “new” personality traits as per the list.

Most often in the series, Betsy’s lists carry a quiet self-reflection, such as the one she composes on the eve of her wedding, detailing what kind of wife she aims to be.

Even as Colorado has opened up, these lists have remained part of my weekly pattern, since our normal range of activities continues to remain curtailed. With further potential closures down the pipeline, my pen and paper are at the ready.

Shana Goldberg may be reached at [email protected]

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