Things I Track That Don’t Belong on a To-Do List

There are a lot of things in life that don’t fit on a to-do list.

Not because they don’t matter... they do.
But because they don’t require effort or motivation.
They just need to be remembered.

I used to try to squeeze those things into systems that weren’t made for them: planners, reminder apps, notes… and a lot of mental reminders I was convinced I wouldn’t forget.

What I really needed was simpler.

A place to put what I didn’t want to carry around in my head anymore.

What Is This?

A habit assumes consistency.
A post-it is easy to lose.
A goal assumes progress.
A calendar is often too specific.
A to-do creates urgency.
A note disappears into everything else.

But that's not how most of life works.

Some things happen now and then.
Some things come and go on their own timing.
Some things only matter because future-me will want to know.

This isn’t about building habits.
It’s about letting go of things I’m tired of trying to remember.

So I stop trying to remember them.
I track them instead.

For me, tracking isn’t about doing more.
It’s about thinking less.

What Belongs Here?

If you keep wondering:

When was the last time…?

or

I can cobble together the when...
but the who, what, why, etc... that's way harder?

…it probably belongs here.

Some examples from my own life and ideas I have from prior stages include:

Haircuts

• Helpful when booking your next one:
  • who you booked with
  • what you asked for
  • what worked or didn’t
  • notes for next time

Medical Visits

• What you might want to remember:
  • what was said
  • what to follow up on
  • what to watch for
  • notes for next visit
• examples: dentist, optometrist

Measurements

• Goals aren't the point. Track just enough details to know
  • size chosen last time
  • avoid re-measuring
• examples: shopping online or picking sewing patterns

Maintenance & Cleaning

• When the when matters:
  • add details for shared chores so future you knows who did what
• examples: water filter, smoke detector, changed sheets, vacuuming

Pest Sightings

• Track so you know if it's a one-off or a problem:
  • when
  • where
  • what
  • how many

Avoidance & Support Tracking

• Especially during tired or stretched-thin seasons:
  • potty training accidents for noticing gaps
  • illness periods for temperature, meds, and symptoms
  • track when relevant and ignore once resolved

None of these are tasks I need to stay on top of.
They’re just facts about my life that I don’t want to second-guess later.

If you don’t want to make space for something in your head, but might want it later, it deserves a place to live.

The Only Rule

There’s really just one question that matters:

When did this last happen?
And what might I want to know next time?

That’s it.

There's no cadence.
No reminders required.
No should.

You don’t need to track everything.
You don’t need to track consistently.
You don’t need to track forever.

Simply use it when it helps.
Ignore it when it doesn’t.

A Simple Place to Start

If this idea resonates, the simplest way to try it is with a single page. I created a single page Simple Memory Log that gives you a calm space to:

• jot down what happened
• add context if it feels useful
• note when it last occurred

That’s all.

You can print the page as many times as you want. Use it on a tablet and keep duplicating it each time you want to track something. One page is enough to feel the difference.

If You Want to Go Deeper

As I kept using this idea, I noticed something interesting:

Different kinds of memory want different containers.

Sometimes I want history.
Sometimes I want context first.
Sometimes I just want a quick note.
Sometimes a deeper reflection is needed... and sometimes it isn't.

That’s why I eventually turned this into a small collection of pages called Memory Parking Lot that offers a gentle system of containers you can choose from depending on what fits.

And If You Prefer Digital

Paper is enough.
This works as-is.

But if you ever want a digital place where:

• timing is handled for you
• notes live together
• patterns appear over time

This way of thinking also shaped Simply Remember It a calm app designed to store the things you don’t want to hold in your head anymore.

Again, optional. Different seasons call for different tools.

You don’t need a reset.
You don’t need a perfect system.
You don’t need to optimize your life.

You need a way to stay connected to your life as it is.

This isn’t about fixing yourself.

It’s about noticing:
What’s working.
What’s asking for adjustment.
What can be held more gently next time.

And if you forget? That’s okay too.

I plan to add more examples and variations to this idea over time... different ways memory shows up, and different containers that fit. This post is just the starting place.

And if there's something you feel should be included or something you hope to see explored you’re welcome to reach out at mail@simplykyra.com.

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