org-mode reduces stress

This is something that has been on my mind for time, so why not blog about it?

I have started using org-mode several years ago, but mostly for collecting my
notes (org-roam). This tool has lots of capabilities for organizing one's life
and work, but I always neglected this and used a paper notebook instead.
This lead to what some call the "endless todo list of doom".

Then, while browsing Emacs blogs, I (again) stumbled upon org-agenda and - most importantly -
customized agenda views. This made me reactivate my weekly review, and now
for the first time since several years, I feel like having my work life and
my private life under complete control. I am no longer permanently stressed out
by all the things that I need to do. Everything is planned, priorities are assigned,
and I can access my agenda everytime - no need to remember what I still need
to finish, while working on something else.

After a few weeks, I noticed that I was doing *more* work now, even though it
takes me a couple of hours every monday to organize my things for the week.
When everything is planned, it is much easier to pick the right task for the right
time - let's say a phone call is canceled: Now I have 20 spare minutes, and I know
exactly which task is perfect to work on. Before, I would just waste this time
by browsing reddit or similar, because I felt "20 minutes is not enough time to
start working on anything".

Furthermore, I am working with higher concentration, because all the other things
are not on my mind costantly.

So if you feel that you are constantly overwhelmed by all of your projects or
obligations, find a system to organize these things. It does not have to be org-mode,
and maybe you need to try a few (I surely did). But when you finally find one that
works for you, you will be rewarded with piece of mind and more time for the
important things in life.


tags: stress, productivity