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You have a million things to do and a million things on your mind, right?
You’re trying to juggle work, school, kids, exercise, side hustles-you name it.
You’re bound to forget something, and you’re trying to keep everything straight, which adds to your stress. After all — you’re only human.
Take a breath and make a list!
Just writing these thoughts and to-do’s down can relieve the stress of having to remember everything, and it gets your thoughts in order. Your mind knows it doesn’t have to keep running the items through your head because you have written them down.
When you keep trying to memorize so many items, things can slip your mind.
You’re only human.
Making lists helps you maintain structure, like someone reminding you of things and keeping you focused. You can’t be expected to remember everything. That is why lists are so helpful.
In fact, according to an article in Verywellmind.com, the average duration of your short-term memory is under 30 seconds and can generally only hold about seven pieces of new information.
Now see why we need lists?
Of course, your list is only helpful if you know where it is! So, keep it in your planner, notebook, Google Docs, Notion, Evernote, or even Alexa or other digital assistants.
There’s something very powerful about actually crossing off items on your list. It makes you feel accomplished and reduces the stress of more to-do’s.
It’s also helpful to transfer some of the tasks from your list to your digital calendar so you can be reminded ahead of time and avoid stressful surprises.
45 List Ideas to Simplify & Streamline Your Life
1. Home maintenance/repairs
- Replace broken fence posts
- Fix wall dings
- Fix running faucet/toilet
2. Clothing that needs to go to alterations
3. Books to read/check out from the library
4. Accomplishments/new skills you’ve learned
This helps when you’re feeling down about yourself. For example, for 2019, my running list was:
- Learned how to build websites
- Learned how to make pins on Pinterest using Canva
- Started a blog
- Started a new career/self-employed
5. Podcasts to listen to
6. Gift ideas for upcoming birthdays/holidays
7. Self-care ideas
You can create a Morning or Evening routine. For example:
- Empty the sink
- Review planner for tomorrow
- Lay out clothes
- Drink a cup of herbal tea (I love Aveda’s tea bags-makes me feel pampered)
- Read
- Take evening minerals (I take Mary Ruth’s Nighttime MultiMinerals)
- Spray pillow mist
- Brush teeth
- Skincare
- Go to bed
8. To-dos for the day or week
If you have a big task- break it down into bullet points.
9. Favorite meals to make
If you have several family favorites, throw them into your meal-planning rotation so you don’t have to think about what to make or look up recipes.
10. Grocery list
Great to keep in Alexa or home assistant.
11. Cleaning list/chore list
Break it down by day, week, or area of your home ( have a list in each room so you know what areas to hit and when).
12. Birthdays/anniversaries
It’s also a good idea to keep these dates in your digital calendar & set it to remind you a month before, so you have time to buy gifts.Make sure you check this list when you’re preparing your planner for the next month- so you can add them in.
13. Things you’re grateful for
14. New restaurants you want to try
15. New hobbies you want to start
Like painting or crocheting or learning a new language
16. Places you’d love to travel
Whether by car, boat, or plane!
17. Smoothie ideas
Include the ingredients you need for each one.
18. Charities
Where you want to donate and how much you’ve donated this year.
19. Goals for the year/quarter/month
20. 5-year goal/vision
21. If you’re a writer- book ideas/blog post ideas
22. Seasonal tasks for your home/apartment:
- Changing the AC filter
- Insulating pipes for the winter
- Clearing out gutters
- Applying turf builder to your lawn
- Fertilizing plants and lawn
- Preparing hurricane emergency kits
- Switching ceiling fan direction
- Testing smoke alarms
23. Bucket lists by season
24. Brain dump-do this daily
Your mind can only handle so many worries and thoughts.
25. Wish list
Really helpful when promos or sales hit.
26. Creative ideas like a painting, YouTube channel, or podcast
27. Workout lists
Do you want to do cardio on a certain day, yoga, weights, abs, arms, legs, or rest day?
28. Travel packing list
Keep a list of what to pack for when you leave & depart, so you don’t forget anything. Here’s a template you may find helpful from Pinterest.
29. Journal prompts
To help you clear your mind. You can find many on Pinterest.
30. Event planning
If you have an important event coming up: wedding/surprise party/graduation — make sure you create a list in advance so you can add to it when you remember items you need.
31. Travel itinerary
It can be so exciting and overwhelming when you arrive in a new place that you can forget some of the of things you hoped to see and experience. Look things up on Pinterest in advance.
32. Medications for your family/pets
Jot down the dosage & frequency in case of emergencies.
33. Party prep list
When you’re hosting a party or get-together it’s easy for things to slip your mind
- Food preferences
- Food allergies
- How much of each item you need
- Meal ideas
- Game ideas
- Music playlist
- Decorating and theme ideas
34. Debt paydown tracker
Best to keep in Excel or Sheets so you can add a formula to give you a total as you pay it down automatically.
35. Emergency fund builder list
Again — best for a spreadsheet, so it auto-populates your $ total.
36. Due dates for your bills
37. Positive affirmations
So you can repeat them when out and about if you feel you’re losing your way or momentum.
38. TED Talks
When you’re waiting somewhere like the doctor’s office or picking up your kids from school — you can quickly find one you’ve wanted to listen to.
39. Things that calm you and keep you positive
When you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, have a handy list of thing that ground you, like:
- Identify 3 things you can touch.
- Inhale, hold for 5 seconds, and exhale slowly for 5 seconds.
40. Yoga pose sequences
That way, you don’t have to stop and look it up online to figure out what flows together.
41. Essential oil blends
Include the amount of each oil for your preferred blend:
- Sleep blends
- Uplifting blends
- Seasonal blends
- Calming blends
- Fresh air blends
42. Baby names
Thinking of bringing some kiddos into the world? Jot down name ideas as they come to you.
43. Motivational & inspirational quotes
44. Your “why”
We all need a ”why”for what we’re working towards. Sometimes when things get tough, it helps to remember why you’re working so hard for something.
45. Conversation starters
It can be a bit difficult at get-togethers to get a good conversation flowing. Think of fun questions from Table Topics, like:
- If you could have any view from your backyard, what would it be
- If you could have lunch with any historical figure, who would it be
- If you had a boat, what would you name it
*Bonus
As a bonus, some of us find certain prayers or bible verses help us start & end our days on a good note. They can also be reassuring and soothing in difficult times. You may have them memorized so don’t need a list, but if you’re still learning or want to add new ones to your rotation, jot them down and keep them close.
Put Your Lists to Work
If you have a home command center – it helps to have several of your lists pinned up so you can see them.
Do you have a certain room you work out in? If so, keep your workout list on the wall to see it while exercising (reps, sets, order).
Keep a list and pen handy in the bathroom so when you start running low on an item like toothpaste or body wash, you can jot it down so you don’t forget.
Helpful Tools for List Making
Do you get great ideas or remember things when you’re in the shower or bath?
Did you know they have special waterproof notepads and pens for the shower/bath? Yep-so it’s common to have your “aha-moments” while lathering up.
Finally, keep a pen and pad next to your bed to prevent any pesky thoughts from keeping you up at night. Instead of focusing on the thought —- write it down and go back to sleep.
Avoid using your phone in bed because if you grab it to jot down a note, you probably won’t stop there. You’ll scroll through social media or check your emails – you know you will! This handy light-up pen lets you see the notepad and words without turning on the lights or using your phone.
If you want to keep some of your lists on fun or pretty templates, I recommend Shiningmom.com. She offers many FREE printables of almost anything you can think of, like brain dumps and daily lists.
You may also enjoy: 5 Simple Ways to Tame the Chaos in Your Life
