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I am definitely a list maker! When I am feeling overwhelmed, making different types of lists helps to calm me down, sort out all of my thoughts, and organize them! I am sharing with you guys some of my favorite lists to make, to help you get organized and hopefully help you not feel so overwhelmed! An organized life will help you in so many ways. Don’t forget to grab your free copy of my list guide workbook. It contains cute printouts for some of the lists mentioned below!
Why Should We Make Lists?
The benefits of lists will show in many parts of your life. They will help you to be more productive and your life organized.
- Lists help us to not forget things! How many times have you went to the grocery store without a list and forgotten half of what you needed to buy? Lists help to keep our minds focused on the things we need to do/buy/remember. It also allows our brain to have a break. We aren’t making our brain remember EVERYTHING when we have a list. One of the main reasons I love list making is for the fact that it allows my brain to rest a little from remembering so much.
- Lists help to keep us organized. They can help organize our days and different areas of our life. Without a list, my mind is all over the place! I tend to feel overwhelmed, and I don’t always know where to begin with my day. A list helps to keep me focused on the important tasks.
- Lists can help to simplify our minds and lives. They help to keep us organized, therefore simplifying our everyday lives. They can also help simplify our minds because we are able to get things off our minds by writing them down on paper or in your phone.
Where Should We Document Our Lists?
- My favorite place to document my lists is a good old-fashioned notepad! Haha. I find this to be one of the easiest ways to keep up with my lists. I love to keep my lists organized and have them all together in a notebook or a cute notepad.
- Planner– I love my planner and keep everything documented that I have going on in my life inside my planner. A planner ensures that you won’t miss a due date for something! There is space in the back of my planner for notes or lists! I keep some lists like my niece and nephew’s sports and dates for the next year.
- List-making apps- I love my planner and keep everything documented that I have going on in my life inside my planner. A planner ensures that you won’t miss a due date for something! There is space in the back of my planner for notes or lists! I keep some lists like my niece and nephew’s sports and dates for the next year.
91 Lists to Make To Help You Get Organized
Lists for the kitchen
1. Master grocery shopping list
A master shopping lists come in handy! When I first bought a house and got married, my mother in law gave me a master shopping list to help me figure out what all I needed to buy to stock my kitchen. I keep it handy so that I can look over it every now and then and make sure my kitchen is properly stocked with essentials. It really helps when you are trying to make a grocery list and may not remember all the things you like to buy.
2. A Meal Plan
I absolutely love to meal plan. There was a time in my life when we ate out wayyy more than we ate at home. Mostly this was because when I got home from work, I had no idea what to cook, and it was easier to go out than to figure something out at 6 o’clock. Finally, I started meal planning and prepping the food the morning of so that when I get home from work, it is much easier to cook! This can really help to simplify and organize your life!
3. Grocery & Shopping List
I think it is a good idea to make a grocery or shopping list while things you need are on your mind. I always keep a running list of things I need from groceries to random things around the house. Making a list will make it less likely for you to forget anything when you venture out of the house. Grocery lists help me not be overwhelmed when I go to the store, or when I do an online grocery pick-up! I know exactly what I need, and I don’t have to try and remember what we have and don’t have at the house. It simply makes life easier at the grocery store.
Notepads like these are great to hang on the refrigerator to make your grocery list!
4. Food Inventory List
Keep an inventory of the food you have in your pantry and freezer. I use a list like this to help with meal planning and creating my grocery list. Food inventory lists help to make sure you use what you have on hand before it goes bad.
5. Leftovers and freezer meals list
Keeping a list of leftovers in your refrigerator will help you keep track of the food that you need to eat first. Same for the freezer meal list. If you do make ahead meals and freeze them, you can keep a list of what you have in your freezer for meals. Eat the oldest ones first!
Lists for the money
6. Things to buy
A things to buy list may sound similar to a grocery or shopping list, but I like to keep a master things to buy list. Any time something crosses my mind that we need to buy but maybe cannot afford right now, I put it on the list! It may not be anything that is urgent or have to have it now kind of thing, but it is something I would like to have.
7. Budget
Ah, the budget… If you are serious about wanting to get your life organized, then finances are a huge part of that. Creating a budget is a huge step to getting your finances straight and your life organized! This is a an essential for making your life easier.
I use the everydollar app instead of pen and paper for my budget. It is very easy to use and is so helpful!
Related Post: Spring Cleaning: De-Cluttering the House
8. Bills Due Tracker
Creating a list of when your bills are due each month will also help to get your finances organized. It will also ensure that you will never miss another payment! At the beginning of every month, I write what bills we have (sometimes it differs) and when they are due. I put a check mark by each bill as I pay them throughout the month.
9. A Monthly Subscription Tracker
Creating a list of when your subscriptions are due and draft each month will be a huge help in getting your finances organized. It will also ensure that you will never be surprised with another payment drafting! At the beginning of every month, I write what subscriptions we have (sometimes it differs) and when they are due. I put a check mark by each subscription as I pay them or as they draft throughout the month.
10. Savings tracker
A savings tracker really isn’t a list, but it is a great thing to keep up with! I love to print out my savings tracker and keep it with my lists. It helps to keep track of different things you are saving for. I take the total amount I am saving up for and break it down into smaller, more attainable goals. I will color in a pig each time I reach this smaller goal. I am a visual person, so this helps me see where I’m at in my money-saving journey!
11. List of ways to make extra money
I always have ideas on hand for making extra money. Keep a list so you never miss out on opportunities for extra dough.
Lists for the household
12. Current projects list
A list of projects you are working on is a great way to keep your in progress home projects in order! If you’re like me, there is always something going on with your house. Keeping a list of home projects you are working on means that you won’t forget about any of them.
13. work to be done
There is always work to be done around my home. I like to keep a list of projects we would like to start in the future.
14. Home Maintenance Log
Keeping track of when things around your home (ex: air conditioner, HVAC, filter changed, etc.) have been worked on will help you keep them properly maintained.
15. Home Maintenance Checklist
Make a list of the yearly and monthly maintenance you like to do around your home so you don’t miss anything!
16. Home inventory list
A home inventory list will come in handy if you ever have to file and insurance claim or have someone break into your home. It’s a list of the things you own and what they are worth. It would also come in handy to have photos of the things in your home.
17. Phone Directory & Address List
A list of important phone numbers can come in handy for everyone in the family. I would keep this list where it is easily accessible! A list of addresses to go along with phone numbers is also very helpful if you like to send cards, or other important information to people.
18. Paint color list
This list is gold! Keep a list of the paint colors in each room of your home so you can always have a reference when trying to touch up.
19. House Preperation List for Vacation
Make a list of the things you like to get done before leaving home for vacation. It will make the process go by much smoother if you already have a list and can check it off as you go.
Don’t know what to add to your home preparation list? Check out this post!
20. Routines List
Routine lists are very helpful for babysitters or someone who may watch your kids for you throughout the day or on a date night. A routines list will make sure your kids don’t break their morning routines or bed time routines.
21. Babysitter List
Take the routine lists and create a babysitter list of instructions, important phone numbers, allergies, and other important information on it.
22. Decluttering List
Keep a list of items to periodically declutter throughout your home. It will help you to get rid of unnecessary items that you might be holding on to.
23. Passwords List
A password list should be made for the sake of everyone’s sanity (LOL). It is so aggravating not knowing a password and having to change it!
24. Gift Giving Guide
I love using a gift giving guide! My husband thinks I’m a little crazy, but I love to be organized. I use a gift giving guide at Christmas because there are a lot of people on my list. I write down everyone I need to buy a gift for, what I want to get them, if it has been bought and wrapped. It helps me to keep up with who I’ve bought gifts for and what gifts are sitting under my tree. I start buying very early in the year, and I wrap and put things under my tree starting in November. It’s an easy way to stay organized and stress free throughout the holiday season.
25. Gifts to buy list
So this one may sound a little similar to the gift giving guide, but I use this less intense list throughout the year for birthdays. I like to make a list of gift ideas I want to buy people. This can also be helpful throughout the year if you have a busy life!
26. Spring Cleaning checklist
Keep a list of all the extra chores and places you clean for spring cleaning. Mark them off as you go to have a stress free spring cleaning experience!
daily and weekly lists
27. Master To-Do List
This is one of those lists that will make your life much easier. I cannot function without a master to do list! With this list, you will put every odd and end thing you need, want, and have to do! Even if it something long term, put it on this list!
Want a cute printable to document your master to-do list on? Check out my personal favorite!
28. Weekly To-Do List
I love to make weekly lists of things I need to and want to get done. It helps me set goals and figure out what I need to focus on for the week.
29. Daily To-Do List
Break your weekly to-do list down into what to do each day to have better focus on those things to get them done.
30. Weekly Chore List
Make a weekly chore list so you can keep up with the chores that need to be done that week and check them off as you go!
31. Kid’s Chore List
If your kids have their own chores to do each week, make a list for them as well.
These magnetic chore charts are perfect for the whole family and to keep everyone on track with their weekly chores.
32. Errands to run list
I keep my errands separate from my to-do list because my to-do list is usually for things around my home. I like to have a separate list of places I need to go .
Personal Lists
33. Short term goals
It is great to have short term goals. It gives you something to work towards and to have gratification sooner than with long term goals.
34. Long term goals
We all have goals and places we would like to be in the next 10 to 20 years. Write these goals down and work hard to achieve them!
This goal printable is cute enough to hang anywhere to be a constant reminder.
35. a list of books to read
Have you ever seen a book you would like to read and then forget about it a week later? It is the worst! I always have a pile of “to be read” books on my nightstand, but I can’t always buy books as soon as I see them. Keeping a list of books I want to read is helpful to ensure I don’t forget about them. I usually keep this list on my phone since I run across books to read mostly on social media or recommendations from friends.
36. a list of books you have
I mainly use this list for authors I love (like James Patterson!) and read a lot. I like to keep a list of the books I already have (or have read) so that I don’t buy doubles (it has happened before).
37. List of your dreams
We all have dreams. Things we would love to accomplish, places we would love to travel, or other things we would love to obtain in life. Sometimes, we day dream and never think we will accomplish or have these things. Write them down because you just never know… you may have everything you’ve dreamed of some day.
Are you wondering what the difference between your dreams and goals are? Check out this article to help you differentiate between dreams and goals and get started on your lists!
38. Bucket List
What are some of those crazy and thrilling things you’d like to do? What is something you’ve always dreamed of doing, or a place you want to visit more than any other? Add these to your bucket list and work on accomplishing these!
39. bucket list for specific places
Is there a place you have always wanted to travel to? Mine has been to travel to France since I was a little girl. I went to France in 2019 and was able to mark off some things from my France bucket list, but there is still so much I want to see there! I keep a separate bucket list for France since it is special to me and somewhere I hope to travel there again someday.
40. Seasonal bucket list
I love making a bucket list for things I want to do each season! I always include places I want to visit, the activities I want to attend, and things I want to see! I especially love doing this for the holiday season to make sure I get the full experience from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas.
41. Gratitude List
A gratitude list is very important to me. I love to keep a reminder of everything I have to be thankful for. Keeping a list of things you are thankful for will help you have a better outlook on your life. We often overlook those things we are grateful for, and by writing them down, we will never forget them!
In addition to making a gratitude list, I have also used a gratitude journal and bullet journal to document in the past. Either way, I love having a place to write down what I am thankful for.
42. What’s working and not working in your life
Making a list of the things that are working or not working in your life is a great way to help you evaluate what is working in your life and what is not working. It will help you see the changes you may need to make in your life.
43. Self-Care list
Keeping a list of self-care ideas will ensure that you always have a go-to when you need some “me” time or when you just need to take care of yourself! Don’t forget to take some time to love yourself and practice self-care each week.
You will LOVE this weekly self-care tracker!
44. list of places you have traveled
My husband and I love to keep up with all the places we have traveled together. it’s fun to look back and reminisce.
45. List of things you want to work on improving
It’s okay to be a work in progress (we all are!)
Related Post: Home Organization Tools I Recommend
46. List of gifts you would like
I never struggle more with coming up with a list of things I want than when someone asks me around my birthday or Christmas. I keep a small list of ideas to give people if they ask.
47. A LIST OF SKILLS OR THINGS YOU’D LIKE TO LEARN
It’s always fun to have aspirations for learning new things.
Lists of Favorites
48. list of favorite quotes
We all have quotes that we love. Make a list to refer to when you need some inspiration.
49. List of favorite bible verses
Same as with the quotes. We all need some inspiration, why not do it with your favorite bible verses?
50. List of favorite recipes for everyone in the house
Write down everyone’s favorite recipes and put them in your meal plan every month!
51. List of your favorite books
52. List of your favorite movies
53. List of your favorite songs
54. List of your favorite seasonal activities
Make sure to add these favorites to your seasonal bucket list!
55. list of your favorite restaurants
56. List of your favorite affirmations
57. List of your favorite things to do with your significant other
58. List of your Favorite Podcasts
59. List of your favorite affirmations
60. List of your kid’s favorite things to do
61. list of your favorite authors
Keep this list on hand for whenever you need some new book ideas.
Lists for Outside of the Home
62. Business to-do list
Do you run your own business or work from home? To ensure that you stay on task and get everything done that you need to make a business to-do list! I usually make a weekly list of things I need to get done for my blog and put them in order of what is most important. That way, on Monday, I can start with the most important task, and by Friday, I am usually getting to do the fun things.
63. Appointment list
Keep up with dentist appointments, doctors, braces, and whatever else people in the family have going on with an appointment list. Make sure to not miss or be late to any of your upcoming appointments.
64. Vet Appointments and vaccine list
Keep up with when your pets have had their vaccines last, and any other important information to make sure your pets are on track to stay healthy.
65. Vehicle maintenance log
Keep up with important maintenance performed on your car.
66. Vehicle maintenance checklist
Keep track of the maintenance you like to have done to your car on a monthly and yearly basis.
67. Building and garden shed inventory list
Same as a home inventory list. We store some really expensive items in our sheds, so be sure to document these items in case of a disaster or break in.
68. a list of when to plant your vegetables and herbs
Never miss the right opportunity to plant all your favorite vegetables and herbs.
Related post: Organizing Your Out of Control Cabinets
Miscellaneous Lists
69. Brainstorming or Brain Dump List
A brain dump list is probably my most used list out of all of these. Sometimes we have so much going on in our minds. We need a place to dump our thoughts, go through them, and get them organized. That is what you can do with this list. Write down any and everything that you are thinking about, write it down! It can be the most random list ever! Then you can go through and think more clearly about each item and sort it out!
70. A list of people to call
Who always has a list of phone calls you need to make? Who always puts them off as long as possible? Me, me, and me again. I hope that I am not alone! I always have a list of people to call. Having somewhere to write this list down is very helpful.
72. A list of people to email
A list of people to email is the same as a list of people to call. I would much rather send an email than call people, honestly. So this list is usually much smaller than my to-call list. What about yours?
73. Fun date ideas
This is probably my favorite list on this list of lists (ha!) Keeping a list of fun date ideas means that you’ll never run out of ideas for date night! It can be so easy to get into routine that you stop doing the fun things that bring you and your spouse closer together. This list usually changes throughout the year and different seasons, but it can also have those easier go-to ideas for any day!
Check out these fun ideas for date night as well!
74. packing list for vacation
Make a general packing list to use for every vacation to make sure you don’t forget anything.
75. Birthdays and special occasions
Never miss someone’s birthday or special occasion again!
76. Restaurants to try
77. Movies to watch
78. Podcasts to try
79. Adventures you want to go on
80. Things to do in your hometown or nearby towns
81. birthday party preparation checklist
Make sure you don’t forget anything for your little one’s special day.
82. A list of foods you would like to try
83. A list of things you would like to do with your kids
84. list of important life lessons you have learned
You can share these with your children some day!
85. List of recipes to try
86. List of crafts you want to make
87.List of journal prompts
I enjoy journaling and have a long list of prompts to get me started.
88. list of classes or webinars you would like to take
89. List of ways you can get out of your comfort zone
90. List of holiday traditions you look forward to every year
91. List of cocktails you want to try
I hope you find these lists as helpful as I do. Don’t forget to grab your free printable lists to have somewhere to write down some of these! Is there a list you love to make that I did not mention here? I’d love to hear about it!
Until next time,
Catherine
I love to list, too! So glad there are more people (or at least one more) like me out there. Have you been able to make the switch to an electronic list? I’m still on paper. Thanks for sharing!
I have not switched to an electronic list! I love paper and being able to marks things off as I go. It makes me feel better! So glad you love lists as much as me.
Sometimes a list helps your mind quiet. Great article!
My life revolves around lists! I would be totally lost without them.
Me too! I wouldn’t know what to do without them.
Lists should be my middle name – haha. thank you for your lists of lists – my kind of woman!
I’m a big lister, too. They are all over my desk and on my wall. Some have been there for months. I need to get better organized. 🙂
I find that lists are the best way to sort my thoughts when life gets crazy and busy. Love that you found so many to share with us!
I’m such a list person, too. And it definitely gives me a sense of self-control, especially meal planning. Excellent info!
I love lists. I have them everywhere. Now I need a list to keep track of where I keep all of my lists! LOL
This is a good idea!! Haha
Love all your reasons! I am a huge list maker. It helps to keep me on track. I am also still a pen and paper type of girl. I feel like if I actually write it down I’m better to remember then just typing it out. Great read, thank you!
Great information! I shared it on my website!
Thank you!!
Great “lists” 😂. I have a planner that I would be lost without. Write it down and then forget it until it needs to be done!
Nice! I’m a list person and I have almost every single one of these. 🙂 Great!
That’s great!
You sound like my kinda gal because I’m the queen of lists! Color coated tabs in my lists app, dated, checked, have side notes as to why they may not be completed! I love lists!! Great job on this article!
Thank you! You sound like my listing role model!
I love your lists of lists! So many of your lists I really should do…where do you keep all your lists?
I have a small binder that I keep all my lists in!
I LOVE these ideas!! I already implement most of these already. I love the idea about a list for gifts. I will be thanking myself at Christmas time!
Oh GOODNESS! You just made me realize how much of a list maker I am! I make a list of everything. We are going to Disney at the end of the month and I just started my packing list, my list of items I need to get prior to leaving for our trip and things I need to do! Thanks, nice post.
I love lists! I need to use them more. I love that you offer templates!
I definitely subscribe to the gratitude list. Sometimes when I get overwhelmed I stop and make a list of all the things I have to be grateful for, and it ALWAYS help me feel better.
I love your list of lists! And, I’m so Type A That this really appeals to me. I really enjoy that feeling of accomplishment when I can mark something off!
I love that feeling as well! I think that is why I love lists so much.
I make many of the lists you talk about to keep my life on track. I noticed a few more I may want to keep as well. Thank you for sharing
I love lists and now I know there are many more lists I need to start making. Thank you!
I love a good list. I keep them for everything. I also have separate journals for certain ones.
That is such a good idea!
When I was working in healthcare, my rolling to-do list kept me sane! I would feel so overwhelmed but just taking a Monday morning to roll over what hadn’t been completed the week before and add what needed to happen this week helped so, so much!
Lists upon lists! Great suggestions!
I’m a list maker! I operate from a master list that I break down into a weekly and daily to do list. Currently I’m creating a packing list for my trip to Scotland next week!
I am for sure a list person…
LISTS!!! LOVE THEM!! Do you ever have a list, think of something later you need to add, do it, then add it to your list and cross it off? LOL That’s me!!
I have done that before! Just to make myself feel better.. LOL!
I badly need to organize my life in these COVID-19 times. Thanks a bunch, Catherine! The ideas in your blog will help me a lot
You’re welcome! Good luck getting organized.
My husband call me the list queen. I need to make a list of all the lists you noted that I don’t already have a list for!!
Lol! You are sounding like me! Making lists for my lists.
I love lists! I especially love the idea of keeping a gratitude list. It’s so important to remind ourselves of all the good we have in life!
I love lists! But I am yet to find a system to organise my lists and make them practical!
I like the seasonal bucket list! Thanks for sharing
It’s one of my favorites!
Great things to make and to be honest, I fail to do it sometimes. They can also help us to make our lives more productive as well.
I agree that they can help with productivity!
I used lists as a brain dump when I am feeling overwhelmed! They really help.
I do the same… they help so much!
My two favorites: Goals and a Bucket list.
These are the most exciting ones!
I love your tips and ideas for making lists to get yourself organized. I definitely feel like I need to make lists because I keep everything in my brain and then I get overwhelmed easily. I will start with your idea for a shopping list. I usually forget what we need because I never write it down!
I think that’s a great place to start! Having a list will keep you organized, and it helps me to not be so overwhelmed with all my thoughts in one place.
I also keep a list of books to read. There are so many I’m excited to get to 🙂
My book list is so long! Lol
Great list ideas! As I was reading it I kept thinking I need this list and that one! Thank you for the great suggestions, the gift guide list will come in handy, it’s a great way to save and avoid the stress of last minute shopping.
The gift list does help to keep down the stress of trying to remember who you have bought what. My mom does this and she passed the tip along to me 🙂
I love lists! They make life way less hectic. Thanks for sharing
I agree! Thanks for reading 🙂
I have the habit of forgetting when I’m grocery stores. And since last few months I have been trying to be a little organised and I cannot tell you what a breeder it is. Following your blog for more for sure
I always feel overwhelmed when I don’t have a list at the grocery store because I always forget something!
Love these list ideas. I list every task I need to do for the day and when I complete that, I get a sense of achieved something kind of feeling. Also, lists keep us organized. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing post!
I totally understand the feeling of achieving something! That’s how I feel when I complete my tasks as well.
This is a lifesaver! I used to hate making lists but this has given me a new light, thanks for sharing!
I hope you can find some lists that you enjoy making!
Great read and very informative. Thanks!
Thank you for reading!
I love all of these!! I essentially keep a majority of these lists, but not in a very organized manner on my phone haha Thanks for the great tips!
I try to keep them organized as well, but it doesn’t always work! Lol
Making a travel list will also be more fun. Think about what accessories to bring and your destination.
I love this idea! That would definitely be a fun list to make 🙂
I had no idea there were 28 lists to be made! Organizing my life more would definitely cut down on my stress.
It would help for sure 🙂
I am so bad at making lists, and so good at feeling overwhelmed! ha. I need to be more organized, thank you for the inspiration!
It can be really easy to feel that way. I hope you found some inspiration to start trying to make lists to help!
I love making list! You have some incredible templates! The Christmas one is right up my alley!
Thank you! I love the Christmas one as well 🙂
I’m a huge fan of lists! You’ve created an epic list of 91 lists to stay organized!
Thank you!
Yes, this is so true. Lists can definitely help us sort our thoughts when feeling overwhelmed. I am a bit old-school as I still prefer to write it down in a notepad or planner instead of using apps.
I use apps for a few things (like a vehicle maintenance log) and occasionally, I will use the notepad on my phone to make lists. For the most part though, I am an avid pen to paper kind of girl. I try so hard to cut down on paper waste though, so I am trying to break this habit! It can be hard to change our ways sometimes.
I can definitely relate so much to this. I mean, call me O.C. all you want but making a list, a to do list most importantly is something that helps me keep my sanity, and keeps me from being overwhelmed with everyday motherhood routines.. thanks for sharing this!
It keeps me sane as well! I’m glad to have a fellow list maker reading 🙂