I first heard about the 'Ta-Da!' List on the podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Episode 134. Instead of a To-Do list, a 'Ta-Da!' list looks back at a day and celebrates the things you accomplished.
My 'Ta-Da!' List for Tuesday, 3-24-2026
Ate breakfast
Finished prepping two boxes for mailing including gift items, cards & poetry, packing material, taping exterior of packages for secure mailing, & finding correct addresses
Watched grandson from 10am-12:30pm
Read two picture books and several chapters in a Geronimo Stilton book
Started mixing chocolate chip cookies with grandson
Paused the mixing process for an emergency run to elementary school with another grandson's lunch
Prepared grandson's lunch, baked a pan of cookies, and began cleaning kitchen (which grandson said was very messy)
Had a visit with a friend who moved up her 2:30 visit due to other commitments
Ate lunch, Went to the post office, Tried to write a blog post
Had a scheduled FaceTime call/birthday chat with the Three Rees
Delivered cookies to neighbor, Squeezed in a walk
Reheated leftovers for dinner, Ate, & Loaded dishwasher
Dashed to daughter's to get youngest grandson to bed while she & husband lead Scout groups for oldest and middle sons
Home, Wrote this post
Want to know more about the 'Ta-Da!' list? Check out this post by Brianna Schubert.
This is my fifteenth year participating in the March Slice of Life Challenge, writing every day during the month of March. Thank
you, Two Writing Teachers, for creating this challenge and providing the
space and support for us year after year. And thanks to this magnificent
community for sharing stories with me and encouraging my writing life.
I had forgotten about Gretchen Ruben's Ta-Da list. You've done a great job of celebrating the many things you accomplished today while also giving us a peek into your life. It sounds like you had some special connections with your grandsons today! How lucky they are that you're nearby!
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this, but I like it much better than a to list. Much more positive and rewarding. Arjeha
ReplyDeleteDiane (newtreemom)
ReplyDeleteSo funny you wrote about Ta-Da Lists. I had forgotten that name for it, but after several failed to-do lists recently, I thought I should change to a “Done” list for a little encouragement. Ta-Da is a better name. I remember reading Gretchen Rubin’s book. BTW your list really does deserve a resounding TA-DA!!