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While some individuals may have a natural inclination towards organization, mastering the art of living an orderly and stress-free life often requires the implementation of tips and tricks. In this article, I will be sharing eleven essential list ideas that can help you achieve the coveted “I’ve got my life together” persona.
Why do lists work?
Ensures you won’t forget things
As humans, we often have a lot on our plates. From groceries to bills to appointments, there are numerous things we need to remember. However, relying solely on memory is nearly impossible and can be quite challenging.
Sometimes we all struggle to remember everything we need to do. By writing things down, we can free up our minds and focus on the present without worrying about forgetting important tasks. Effective tips and tricks can help us stay organized and on top of our responsibilities.
Frees up your minds
Have you ever heard the advice to write down your thoughts when you can’t sleep?
The concept is the same. If you fail to do so, your mind will continuously dwell on the various things you need to recall, leading to exhaustion and inefficiency in certain situations.
Writing things down permits you to be more attentive and frees up mental space for other tasks.
Saves you time
Creating permanent lists saves time and effort since they don’t have to be recreated every time they’re needed.
In addition, with many of our list ideas, you will save time. By implementing them, you may decrease the need for extra trips to the store or avoid having to recreate your lists each time.
You will be much more efficient with your time.
11 list ideas
Running grocery list
It’s not very efficient to go grocery shopping without a list. Chances are high that you’ll end up buying more than you need and forget to purchase the items you actually require.
Maintaining a current grocery list is highly beneficial. Whenever you exhaust an item, make sure to promptly include it on your list.
Pro tip: Try meal planning to maximize the benefits of a grocery list. You can get started by checking out this article about easy meal planning.
Errands/things to buy list
Keeping a running list of items needed from stores other than the grocery store, organized by store, can be incredibly helpful.
Next time you head out, it’s a good idea to check your list and see if there are any errands you can combine with your plans. This approach is similar to time-blocking and can save you time by reducing extra trips just to pick up an item you require.
Favorite/Go-to meals list
Keeping a record of your family’s preferred dishes can be a real game-changer, saving you time and effort when it comes to meal planning.
This can be highly beneficial if you do not plan your meals and often struggle with finding dinner inspiration.
Pro tip: I find it useful to categorize my food options by protein type. For instance, I have a list of poultry, beef, seafood/fish, and meatless options. This method makes it easier to sort through and choose from the various options available.
Basic packing list
An article about list ideas wouldn’t be complete without a basic packing list. This is an essential tool if you travel. Otherwise, you are constantly reinventing the wheel.
To be frank, most people tend to pack similar items for vacations. Of course, a beach trip demands a towel and swimsuit, while a ski trip requires snow gear. But the fundamental essentials remain unchanged.
Pro tip: Create a comprehensive list divided into categories such as toiletries, clothes, electronics, and miscellaneous items. Consider adding additional sections for specific trips like beach gateways or hiking excursions.
Seasonal cleaning list
Achieving a clean home is not that difficult. However, neglecting it can lead to an overwhelming mess.
Organizing a cleaning checklist based on months and seasons is a great way to efficiently manage household chores. By reviewing the list at the start of each month, you can plan ahead and schedule the tasks at your convenience.
Get started with this seasonal/monthly cleaning schedule.
Gift ideas list
If you are like me, finding the perfect gift for birthdays and holidays can be difficult.
I have found it useful to maintain a continual record of gift suggestions for my dear ones. Frequently, my children or spouse express a desire for something. But if I don’t jot it down, it’s likely that I’ll forget it.
This tool has been quite helpful in reducing my anxiety levels during birthdays.
Shows/movies to watch list
Apart from asking “What’s for dinner”, the most common phrase in our home is “What do you want to watch”.
It’s a common topic of discussion among friends and colleagues, but I always seem to forget the suggestions given to me. Jotting them down is a practical solution to address this recurring issue.
Books to read
Just like with movies and TV shows, I tend to forget book recommendations quite easily.
Every month, I receive a fresh audible credit. Maintaining a list of books to “read” proves to be extremely helpful for me.
Pre-vacation checklist
There are so many crucial tasks to take care of before going on vacation. Between, packing, managing work-related matters, and taking care of home responsibilities, it can be quite daunting.
Creating a pre-vacation checklist is helpful to alleviate some of the stress.
Start with this fantastic tool and tailor it to your specific needs.
Home improvement list
Organizing your thoughts and prioritizing your home improvement projects becomes easier when you list them down.
Pro tip: Enhance the value of your list by including estimated cost (low, medium, high) and the required time.
Travel bucket list
I am in awe of the beauty and wonder of our world, and there are countless destinations I dream of experiencing firsthand.
Creating a travel bucket list can be an enjoyable way to plan your future trips and motivate you to save for those dream destinations.
If you like to keep track of previous travel of yours, consider buying this beautiful map that allows you to pin the places you’ve already visited.
Where should you create your list ideas?
There are a few options to consider, each with pros and cons.
Planner lists
One option is to make your lists within your yearly planner. Personally, I enjoy making lists by hand as it feels like a special ritual. However, you would need to rewrite the list each year in your new planner. Furthermore, if you don’t carry your planner with you constantly, this might not be the most suitable choice.
Hand-written standalone lists
A great alternative if you want to handwrite the lists is to use individual sheets of paper. Simply fold them and insert them into your planner. This approach enables you to recycle the lists annually. However, once again, if you don’t carry your planner with you all the time, the last option may be best.
Digital lists
The last option is to create digital lists on your phone. You can use the notes app or download a list application for this purpose. This alternative ensures that your lists are accessible at all times and can be easily updated. In fact, you can even print them out and have a physical copy if needed.
In conclusion
It’s all about personal preference when it comes to organization. In conclusion, I highly recommend trying out these 11 list ideas as they can greatly simplify your life and reduce unnecessary stress.
Thanks for reading.
Cat xx