NahNoWaiPoMo #25 2018

BrainPickings (Maria Popova) posted a link today which she titled the psychology of why overplanning and excessive goal-setting limit our happiness and success.  It is an interesting read.  Oliver Burkeman proposes that we plan and set goals as our way of dealing with uncertainty.  And then, by trying to control the uncontrollable, our potential for happiness and success become limited.

https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/02/05/oliver-burkeman-antidote-plans-uncertainty/?mc_cid=f46aa2a506&mc_eid=372d725ecc

I was nodding my head in agreement until I remembered all the lists that I make every day.  Every week.  Every month.   

Then I separated from Burkeman.  He writes in the contemporary era (2013).  My lists are not born of an endless battle against uncertainty.  They spring from an over-scheduled, many balls-in-the-air existence that threatens to catch fire somewhere, when the bill isn't paid/the roof isn't fixed/the gutters aren't cleaned etc etc.  Like a Thanksgiving list with tasks divided and checkboxes helping to track it all, the only thing uncertain becomes human memory.

The Muse poses a different question: Does one live one's life to maximize accomplishment or happiness?  That is a discussion best fueled by something pleasant in a glass or a mug.  Does accomplishment bring happiness, so, yes to both?  Or is accomplishment independent of happiness in one's life?  (That calls for some important fixes, yes?)  

It is something to consider.

In the meantime, the leftovers are either eaten, frozen, or about to be eaten.  The towel with the treadle that slipped its tie has been unwoven to the wonky part.  (Forward progress is now possible.) And the baby sweater is giving me fits.  I followed the pattern correctly.  The armhole before the pick-up of stitches is 3.25" across, which seems ginormous.  I have forged ahead on one side, to find that it still looks huge.  Of course, it didn't help that instead of 8 stitches, it required 13 to close the potential holes.  I decreased those to 9 stitches quickly.  Do kids really need big shoulders in the sweater in order to get the floppy little arms in?  This is sized for 12 months of age.

The picture below is after 2 decrease rows (and some knit plain rows).  It is 3" across.  Yes or no?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[margene]

The question can be answered in many different ways depending on the tolerance of the person. Some of us live by the seat of our pants, list-less, encountering only occasional disasters, and recovering without much scaring. No balls, no fires, just sliding.

[Marcia]

I used to be known for my list-making prowess, but these days...meh. Only when having company, and I don't entertain that much any more. I have a little antique chalk board on the wall of my kitchen and just make a simple to-do list for the week. Keeps me from forgetting anything major. Good enough.
As for that baby sweater, babies are strangely shaped creatures. I don't remember much about mine, but I do remember how hard it was to get those stumpy little flailing arms into any form of clothing :)

[Carole]

I use lists to keep myself from having to remember anything! LOL I think the big shoulder/armhole makes it easier to get the sweater on a squirming one year old. Ask me how I know!!!

[claudia]

I actually don't think the happiness/accomplishment question is a hard one. For me, happiness is independent of accomplishment. Some accomplishments bring happiness, but that sort of happiness is as short-lived as the happiness brought by the purchase of something new and shiny.