By Danny Deza

A pen and pad have become my new best friends this semester.

Not because I am a journalism student or because I have been taking art classes for my minor, but because of a compulsive habit some may call an addiction.

I wake up in the morning and reach for the reporter’s notebook and pen that are lying on my nightstand. I turn the pages ’til I reach a fresh one to scribble down my thoughts.

I title it: “Things to do today,” and I start making a list.

I write: “Interview at least three people today for my magazine story. Feed Bruno (my cat). Take my bike to the shop to get new brakes. RELAX. Call my mom to tell her I love her. Give at least one homeless person some change. Work on art projects.”

As my day continues and chores get done, crossing one of the items off my list has become very satisfying. So enjoyable, in fact, that I’ve learned if I put some easy things on my list, accomplishing them can act as my personal cheerleader during certain hectic days.

“Do 20 push-ups today.” Check. Yes!

So this semester I have become a list-making addict (if that’s what you call them). Some people reach for a cigarette or a drink of scotch for those rough days, but I turn a fresh piece of paper in my notepad to help relieve stress.

As the semester has wore on, I began to realize that I’m not alone; my friends admitted to me that they too are list-making addicts. Some less than others, but we all share the same love for organizing our days through a pen and paper.

The to-do list phenomenon doesn’t stop at the Northeastern bubble, but stretches out to every notepad and post-it in the country. With the help of many websites, list making has become an even easier task for those in need of some order.

Tadalist.com is a public site that allows members to share their to-do lists with others and provides an easy layout for members to make a list with ease.

With more than 4 million lists created, tadalist.com has postings ranging from a grocery lists to specific projects that certain members are working on.

Some lists might be made to help tackle daily chores but some websites help list-makers achieve lifelong goals.

A similar website, 43things.com, allows members to create game plans for their lives and to share them with others as forms of inspiration. Members can track the progress of their goals by writing entries of their success for others to see and learn.

Lifelong to-do listers write things down like writing a book, starting a journal and buying that sweet car they have always wanted. 43things.com says it is a way to reflect and gain focus on your goals and to cheer each other on.

Some lists may be used to plan out the future and help organize what the day may bring, but there are some resources out there to help remember the past.

With the series of books called Listography, based on the website of the same name, readers can use the books to recall events from the past and organize them together in different categories to help reflect on lost memories. Some examples are lists of bands members have seen live, things they like to do on their days off and people they love the most.

So whether you like to make lifelong lists or jot down a few blurbs to get through the day, in the end it’s a fun way to release your thoughts.

Feed the cat. Check.

Finish my homework. Eh, I’ll add that to tomorrow’s list.

– Danny Deza can be reached at [email protected].