Hi, I'm @arazgholami, Programmer, Blogger and Explorer.I create things and make them better. I'm a repairer, not replacer.I love to transform complex things to simple things.

## [https://arazgholami.com/clear-your-lists-reclaim-your-life](Clear Your Lists - Reclaim Your Life)
Step into a room filled with cluttered to-do lists. How does it feel?
Think about your life. Right now, you probably have lists upon lists waiting for you:

	Work to-dos.
	Books you must read.
	A mountain of YouTube videos, bookmarked podcasts, and training courses you downloaded months ago.
	Songs, movies, full discographies collecting digital dust.
	A billion-dollar app idea you think you’ll build someday.
Does this feel productive? Think again.The Problem
In modern life, most of us don’t have the time to tackle even a fraction of these lists. They grow, multiply, and hover over us like little reminders of what we’re not doing. Sure, creating these lists gives a fleeting sense of accomplishment. But in reality? They breed guilt, overwhelm, and self-doubt.
Why does this happen?The Root Cause
Our DNA hasn’t caught up with the times. We’re wired like ancient hunter-gatherers—compelled to collect and store anything valuable. Back then, it made sense. You gathered food, tools, and resources you’d actually use. Fast-forward to today, and the same instinct drives us to hoard information and plans.
The problem? The resources we collect now—videos, articles, goals—don’t decay or disappear. They pile up, drowning us in an endless sea of “somedays.”
The SolutionPurge your lists. All of them.Here’s how:

	
		Delete, ruthlessly. Got a list you can’t bear to erase entirely? Fine. Save only the items that feel life-changing. The rest? Gone.
	
	One in, one out. Add something new to your list only if you’ve completed something else.
	Turn off notifications. Mark unread articles and emails as “read.” Liberate yourself.
	
		Stop bookmarking podcasts. When you feel like listening, browse fresh episodes. Pick one. Skip the rest.
	
	
		Handle books differently. Skim the table of contents. If something grabs you, dive in. If not, close it, and move on.
	
Declutter everything—your room, your bookshelves, even your mind. Keep only what truly matters.
Find What MattersWhat’s truly important? Here’s a simple way to figure it out:
Write down the names of friends and family you genuinely care about. That’s your people list.

	Example: That stranger who gave you a weird look in line? Not on the list. Doesn’t matter.
	A coworker thinks you’re rude? Check your list. Not there? Forget them.
Make a list of activities that bring you joy or fulfillment.

	Example: Are you terrible at painting but don’t care? Then why feel bad about it? Cross it off.
	

Whenever someone or something makes you feel inadequate, check your lists. If it doesn’t matter to you, let it go.
When you clear out the noise, you create space for what matters most. A free mind isn’t just peaceful; it’s powerful. Use it wisely. Write your own story, not one cluttered with lists that don’t serve you.
As Derek Sivers would say: “Hell yeah, or no.” Keep what’s hell yeah. Ditch the rest.

*Saturday 02:52 PM, 09 January 2021*
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