# Have You Ever Made A To-Don’t List? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 16, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258 "2023-03-16T16:03:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/1 "2023-03-16T16:03:32Z")
Based on this _Atlantic_ article, maybe it’s worth trying. Maybe not - vowing not to eat delicious, hot fresh doughnuts might just make one think of them more. If you drink too much, maybe it’s worthwhile. But is this a strategy you have used? > **[Make a To-Don’t List](https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/03/goals-negativity-bias-new-years-resolution/673408/)** > > When you’re feeling stuck, focusing on the things you hate can help. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/2 "2023-03-16T16:08:40Z")
I’ve found that generally focusing on don’ts wasn’t really helpful because it just caused my mind to dwell on them more. It was more useful to tell myself “be more proactive” rather than “stop being lazy” even if it was technically the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/3 "2023-03-16T16:53:38Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > ’ve found that generally focusing on don’ts wasn’t really helpful because it just caused my mind to dwell on them more. It was more useful to tell myself “be more proactive” rather than “stop being lazy” even if it was technically the same thing. I’m the same way… ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/4 "2023-03-16T17:13:17Z")
My whole life is a “To Don’t” list. 🤭 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/5 "2023-03-16T18:43:17Z")
Everyone is good for something. Me? I’m a bad example. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/6 "2023-03-16T18:58:44Z")
Sure, but in your profession, you probably use a checklist more routinely than any of us do. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/7 "2023-03-16T20:06:32Z")
Interesting article but those things are usually covered in my to-do list: 1. Do avoid sugar 2. Be positive etc Basically, I tend to agree with Velocity. If I write: 1. Don’t eat Cheetos and Dingdongs I will start to crave them. 😊 ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/8 "2023-03-16T21:20:45Z")
I’m a big fan of the via negativa, as discussed in the article. I think the issue here is that it should be applied to things you genuinely don’t like, as opposed to things you do like, but feel bad about doing. If you hate Cheetos, but eat them to be polite, or because they are cheaper or easier, then the “To Don’t” list can give you permission not to eat them. But if you really like Cheetos, then they don’t belong on a “To Don’t” list, because that will only make you feel restricted and lead to temptation. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/9 "2023-03-17T19:14:50Z")
I tried, but only got as far as “1. Don’t Make Lists”. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2023, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-ever-made-a-to-don-t-list/981258/10 "2023-03-17T19:29:22Z")
1. Never put salt in your eyes. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/_83MEuLoz9Y/hqdefault.jpg "Ian Crossland, Never Put Salt In Your Eyes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_83MEuLoz9Y)