Why I Deleted Half My To-Do List

A few months ago, my to-do list was the first thing I looked at in the morning and the last thing I checked before bed. It ran my life—color-coded, bullet-pointed, and never-ending. If productivity had a face, I wore it proudly. I thought the longer the list, the more successful I was.

But somewhere along the way, that list became a burden.

Each unchecked box whispered, “You’re behind.”

Every added task reminded me, “You’re not doing enough.”

And one ordinary Tuesday afternoon, something in me finally cracked.

The Wake-Up Call

That Tuesday started like any other. I had a dozen tasks lined up, from responding to emails, finishing a presentation, meal prepping, calling a friend, doing laundry, organizing my files, catching up on a book, brainstorming content ideas—you name it, it was on there.

Around 3 PM, I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch. My head was pounding, my eyes were dry from staring at screens, and I had only checked off three items. And instead of feeling accomplished, I felt like I was failing.

That’s when I did something I hadn’t done before. I closed my laptop, opened the Notes app on my phone, and stared at my to-do list. Not to add more. Not to reorganize. Just to look.

And then, almost without thinking, I started deleting.

One task.

Then another.

And another.

Until half of my list was gone.

The Fear of Letting Go

Let me be honest—it wasn’t easy. At first, I felt like I was quitting. Like I was giving up on being responsible, efficient, “on top of things.”

But as I kept deleting, something strange happened: I could breathe.

For the first time in weeks, maybe months, I felt lighter.

I kept the essentials: my work deadline, picking up groceries, and one creative project that truly mattered to me. Everything else? Gone.

That “check in with five people” task? Deleted. I’d rather have one meaningful conversation than send five rushed texts.

The “reorganize my closet”? Not urgent.

“Watch productivity videos on YouTube”? I had been trying to become more productive by watching other people be productive—how ironic.

The Discovery That Changed Me

After I deleted half my to-do list, I gave myself permission to slow down.

That evening, instead of powering through more “should-do’s,” I went for a walk. I left my phone behind and just listened to the rustling trees, kids laughing down the street, and the quiet rhythm of my own breath.

And you know what I realized?

I wasn’t tired from doing too much. I was tired from doing too much that didn’t matter.

Most of my to-do list wasn’t about living—it was about managing life. And there’s a big difference.

One fills your soul. The other fills your calendar.

Why We Create Overloaded Lists

We all do it—fill our to-do lists with everything we think we’re supposed to do:

Reply to every message

Say yes to every favor

Organize, clean, perfect every inch of our space and schedule

Stay “ahead” in work, side projects, learning, networking, wellness…

But here’s the thing I learned:

Just because something is possible, doesn’t mean it’s essential.

We try to do it all because we’re afraid of being seen as lazy, unmotivated, or not enough. We chase an illusion of balance that’s really just a treadmill we can’t get off.

The truth? Life isn’t meant to be a never-ending task list.

Living With Less (But Better)

Deleting half my to-do list was the beginning of something beautiful.

Now, I start each week by asking myself three questions:

What actually needs to get done?

What brings me peace or joy?

What can wait—or be let go entirely?

Instead of writing 15 things down, I write 5.

Instead of multitasking all day, I block out time for focused, meaningful effort.

And most importantly, I build in breathing room—spaces where nothing is scheduled.

And you know what happened?

I became more productive, not less.

I was calmer, more focused, and far more creative.

I had time to read, call loved ones, and simply be—without guilt.

Realignment, Not Laziness

Let me be clear: this isn’t about avoiding responsibility. It’s about realignment—choosing intention over obligation. It’s recognizing that being busy isn’t the same as being valuable.

Some things truly do need your attention—your health, your relationships, your dreams. But not every email, chore, or “helpful suggestion” from someone else deserves a slot on your sacred list.

It’s okay to say:

“This doesn’t serve me right now.”

“I can come back to this later.”

“I choose peace over pressure.”

A New Kind of List

Now, my to-do list is shorter. But it’s more powerful.

Instead of draining me, it reminds me of what I care about most.

Write with heart

Take care of my body

Connect meaningfully

Create something small and beautiful

Rest without apology

Simple. Sustainable. Soulful.

Moral of the Story:

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is let go. Life isn’t about how much you do—it’s about how deeply you live. Delete what doesn’t matter, and make space for what does. You don’t need a longer list. You need a clearer path.

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Thank you for reading...

Regards: Fazal Hadi