I clicked because what I have is a gigantic TODO .txt file that grows and grows and grows. I typically only look at the bottom (newest) part, typically at what fits on screen. The rest is full of things I should have done at some point and never actually did.
If I could make a suggestion, try dividing your list into two: a to-do list and a "someday, maybe" list. That's a concept from GTD that helps a lot with peace of mind.
I’ve been in this place more times than I care to count. I find taking some time to go through it to ask if these things still need to be done can help a lot.
In many cases, what was once thought to be important is no longer important or even needed/wanted; delete these things. In other cases it’s more of a nice-to-have, not something that is really needed. For these, if it’s for you or someone you like, a someday/maybe list (as another comment suggested) is good, otherwise drop it.
Once the list is shorter and current, I find it easier to get things done. When the list gets too long that I can’t bring myself to read it anymore, this is generally what I do.
I’ve also found it helpful to have a kind of “backlog” list, and then something just for what I’m going to do today. That today list needs to be short. 3 things is the max for me; some days it’s just one. If I happen to finish it all, I can look at the backlog to add something. Being realistic about what can be done in a day is really important. Getting all that other stuff out of my view helps me to stop thinking about all the stuff I’m not doing, as it’s not helpful to dwell on it.
I enter my to-do items into Google Calendar. If I can't finish them today I move them to tomorrow or another future date. Once they are done they stop moving.
I clicked because what I have is a gigantic TODO .txt file that grows and grows and grows. I typically only look at the bottom (newest) part, typically at what fits on screen. The rest is full of things I should have done at some point and never actually did.