Everything You Don't Want To Do Day: Because No One Else Will

Every time Becca and I “celebrate” Everything You Don’t Want To Do Day we find another reason to love it. On today’s list I included submitting receipts to a benefits program I enrolled in when I started my new job. I hadn’t taken advantage of the program because, to be honest, it was a pain in the ass. I was having trouble logging into the specified website, so I called customer service. They had no record of me even though they had been taking money out of my account for the past four months. WTF! We got it sorted out but still...WTF!

Your life, and more specifically your money, is your responsibility. You have to keep an eye on it because no one else will. I can empathize with anyone who is intimidated by money matters. It can be confusing and you may be inclined to put it off. But add it to your list, set aside time to figure it out, and before you know it you will be back on top of your finances.

So what are you going to do on Everything You Don’t Want To Do Day?

Song of the Day
There isn’t a single Glee fan who isn’t rocking out to Britney right now. Please enjoy Stronger.

How To Be Alone

My positive energy has always been just that, ENERGY! Loud and coming at you from all angles. Cheerleader style. But I have always admired those people with a more subdued optimism. Their positive energy just shines instead of hitting you in the face like a pompom.

I'm in LOVE with this video. It is calming and understated but also hopeful and inspiring. Makes me want to curl up and enjoy some alone time.

Song of the Day

Now back to being a cheerleader! My friend told me this song always makes her happy. And dang it! That is what the Song of the Day is all about. Please enjoy Tiffany's I Think We're Alone Now. Tell me what songs make you happy.

A Little Place in Greece

One of Matt's favorite things to do online is to check out the real estate section on NewYorkTimes.com, specifically Great Homes and Destinations. When he comes across one he thinks I will like he sends me the link. When I opened the link to this house it took my breath away. I mean look at this place!

The light!The view!And that table, which comes with the house!!! (Yes, that table deserves three exclamation points)And as incredible as that house is, what really took my breath away when I opened it was that Matt was thinking of me. He not only thought it was a place where he wanted to be, but a place he wanted to be with me. I don't think I'll ever get sick of having that wonderful boy wanting me to be apart of his life.

See the rest of the picture of this house here. Photography by Eirini Vourloumis

Song of the Day

Today's song is Jason Mraz and Colbie Callait's Lucky. Perfect!

Everything You Don't Want To Do Day

We all have them. The things on our to-do list that we never actually do. We push them off for months, even years. We never make the Dr's appointments or call the credit card companies. We aren't sure why we put them off. Maybe because we are scared of the process or scared of the results. But no matter what the reason, you still need to do it. That is why my friend Becca and I invented Everything You Don't Want To Do Day!

Becca and I created this day out of the desire to help support each other even though she lives across the country. Every Monday night we send each other a list of the things that we aren't going to put off any more and resolve to accomplish on Tuesday. We breifly check in throughout the day to report what we have accomplished or to give each other crap for not getting the list done. I know this seems a little intense (OK a lot intense), but it is actually great. We have FINALLY gotten some things off our to-do list and they are always surprisingly easy. Whenever you put something off for a long time, it grows into something much worse than it is.

Becca and I love Everything You Don't Want To Do Day! We stay in touch, we feel less overwhelmed, and we do it together. That's right, we are the most organized losers ever. And you can be too!

How to make your own Everything You Don't Want to Do Day:

1. Pick one day a week to make The Day. Don't do Monday because, well, Monday's suck enough already.
2. Find a way to hold yourself accountable. If you don't have a friend as dorky as me or Becca, you could write the list in large print and post it on your mirror or some place where you will see it repeatedly. Don't let yourself off the hook! Just get it done!
3. Keep the list short. We limit our list to four. If the list is too long, you will feel overwhelmed and may not finish it. You have to complete the list in one day. We don't want to ruin your whole week with this crap.

Let me know how you do! I promise that the amount of time you spent feeling bad about putting something off is 300% more time then it will take to fix it. Thanks Bec! Love ya!

Song of the Day

Today's song is Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition.

101 Things in 1001 Days: #39

#39 "Get a professional photo for PositivelyAnna" has probably been my favorite thing to accomplish so far because it encompasses every reason I created this list: to meet new people, to do things that I am scared of, and to try something new.

A few months ago, fellow blogger and list maker Katie Jane Parker found my blog and very graciously offered her services as a professional photographer. As traffic to my blog is low, I had never received an offer like this and I was hesitant. But I looked into Katie's blog and she seemed legit and she wanted to meet in a public place so I was pretty sure she wasn't going to kill me. We emailed back and forth and set up a time to meet.

I met Katie in Central Park on a beautiful afternoon. I was very nervous. I have never been photographed on my own before, outside of the awful and inevitable school pictures. Plus I was going to be shot in front of the millions of people in the Park. But as anxious as I was, I smiled at myself and thought "This is exactly why you created your list."

All the nerves flew out the window as soon as Katie introduced herself. She is a sweet young woman who started her own photography business (so cool). She has a list, and like me, believes it has changed her life. People had helped her accomplish things on her list and she wanted to do the same. She saw #39 on my list and I'm so glad she did!

We had a great time. She made me feel so comfortable. We just walked and chatted. Katie would point out a spot that would work well and I would pose how ever felt natural. Here are a few of my favorites.

Katie Jane Photography specializes in engagement and elopement photos but I would recommend her for any photography needs. She was very professional, fun and relaxed. Thank you so much Katie! I hope I can help you with something on your list someday.

Song of the Day

Today's song is The Cure's Pictures of You. For more songs about photography and pictures, check this out.

If PositivelyAnna Isn't Doing It For You

Picking the right music to match your mood is key. And that can be tricky. But it has gotten a whole lot less tricky thanks to Stereomood. Stereomood provides fitting playlists for a wide range of moods and activities, from Sexy, Quiet and Groovy to Writing, Road trip and Dressing up. Right now I'm listening to the Optimistic play list and wouldn't you know it! I feel even more optimistic than I did four songs ago.

Check out Stereomood and tell me about your favorite playlist.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard by Paul Simon.

#2: LA

I had said that our trip to California felt like four different vacations: San Francisco, Big Sur, Paso Robles, and finally, LA. One of Matt's best buddies from college, who I have grown to love too, Dennis, moved to LA a few years ago so we wanted to make sure we saw him while we are on the west coast.


We were in LA for less than 24 hours but Dennis showed us his city. We rented bikes and rode up and down the beach. Santa Monica was beautiful and tasteful. And Venice Beach was, well not exactly tasteful. I live in New York City and I was still surprised by some of the characters in Venice. Some of the best people watching in the world.


Matt and I both wanted to make sure we got some good Mexican food while we were in town. And LA did not disappoint. Dennis took us to TiTo's, which you should definitely check out. A small menu of simple dishes that taste like heaven.

I want to thank all our hosts, old friends and new ones we met in California. We had an amazing vacation, one of the best of our lives. I urge you east coaster to head over there ASAP and if you need any help planning your trip, I would be happy to be of assistance.

Song of the Day

Watching the skateboarder in LA reminded me of Tom Petty's Free Fallin video. Well with a lot less spandex.

For more songs about LA, check this out.