The Lists to Organize Your Whole Life
If you love lists, you’ll love what’s next. Here is your ultimate list of lists to make that will help you track your to-dos, record your routines, and go for your goals.
These household lists, shopping lists, favorite lists, and bucket lists will help organize your daily life now and plan efficiently for the future.
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A recent article in Psychology Today by Dr. Timothy Pychyl, who specializes in the study of procrastination, stated that the practice of habitually making and using to-do lists is associated with less procrastination and more conscientiousness. If you love reading about psychology as much as you do making lists, you may know that conscientiousness is one of the Big Five Personality Traits. And, that conscientiousness is often associated with a healthy lifestyle and career success.
As a conscientious person, I adore order and efficiency. If that’s you too, I’ve got a list you’ll love. This list of lists to make is long, but purposeful. I’ve made all of these lists at one time or another, and found them all useful. So here they are…the 75 best lists to make.
75 Best Lists to Make
This collection of lists to make has everything from organizational standbys to random collections of information. Here are the general categories that cover them all.
List Categories
- The Big Ones: To-Dos and Master Lists
- Household Lists
- Shopping Lists
- Aspirational Lists
- Lists of Favorites
- Lists of Things to Do or Try
- Bucket Lists
- Random Fun and Useful Lists
You’ll love this HUGE bundle of lists including goal setting, habit improvement, bucket lists, and SO MUCH MORE! Keep track of all your favorites, jot down all the things you want to try, and create your perfect morning routine with the lists in this bundle.
I’m giving you a free sneak peek…click on the image below to download this free colorful to-do list!
(Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love or would love to use! For full disclosure details, click here.)
The Big Ones
These two are the lists that are most helpful for overall organization. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably made these lists!
1 // Master List
This covers everything. Not very efficiently, of course, or we wouldn’t need any other lists, but still, it gets all the minutiae you want to remember out of your head and on paper (a digital version can work just as well).
2 // To-Do List
This is probably what most people think of first when they hear the word “list.” This can be daily or weekly, but it is a listing of the things you need or want to do. If you add items to your list whenever something pops into your head, and feel that you add more than you can ever cross off, consider keeping two lists.
You can continue to keep a list of everything you want to remember (that would be your master list), but try writing a daily to-do list that you update nightly. Scan through your long list and choose the items that either MUST be done immediately, or that you want to prioritize. Select no more than five items, taking into account the length of time each task will take.
If you get through all your daily to-dos, you can always choose to add another task from your master list, or just celebrate a productive day and make your list for tomorrow!
For more detail to help you get started with to-do lists, read my Sunday Strategy post.
Notebooks for Handwritten Lists
Beautiful designs you’ll want to keep on your desk or counter all the time!
Use multiple notebooks to split up your list categories – one for task lists, one for favorites, and another for aspirational lists.
Adorable designs. Not too big, not too small size. And dividers you can reposition to create sections any way you like? Yes, please!
Household Lists
This category includes lists of things that contribute to your household organization. The main purpose of these lists is increased efficiency.
Household Task Lists
3 // Chore List
A list of what needs to be done and when. There are so many different approaches to chores, and there is no one-size-fits-all here. You need to experiment to see whether it works better for you to spend several hours cleaning on Saturday morning, or assign specific tasks to certain days of the week. Whatever you decide about how to schedule your household chores, you should start with a list of what needs to be done.
4 // Home Maintenance List
In addition to the regular cleaning and upkeep of a chore list, it is helpful to keep a list of seasonal maintenance tasks that only need to be done once or twice a year.
5 // 10-Minute Task List
Have a list of tasks that take ten minutes or less to reference when you get an unexpected chunk of time and want to use it productively.
Read: Realistic Cleaning Checklists for Busy Moms
Important Information Lists
6 // Home Inventory List
Useful for insurance purposes in case of fire or theft. Also very handy for those items you store in a room or area that you don’t access often and then wonder where in the world they are!
7 // How Long to Keep List
It’s helpful to have a list of how long to keep important papers or information like tax documentation, receipts, bank statements, etc. Here are a few guidelines from Suze Orman.
8 // Babysitter’s List
If you have young kids, you need to make this list. Keep a list of emergency contacts (doctors, neighbors, friends), allergies or food preferences, tips and tricks for soothing, and anything else that might be helpful to the person watching your child. In addition, you can include instructions on how to operate your media system, activity ideas, and pet information.
9 // Password List
Obviously, you want to keep this safe, but a password list is essential as our digital world becomes more complex.
10 // Travel Packing List
Before heading out on vacation, make a travel packing list. You can search for suggested packing lists tailored to specific destinations. Or, if you travel to the same place frequently, make a quick checklist to scan before you leave.
11 // Birthdays and Special Occasions to Remember
You may use a variety of digital calendars or reminders to keep track of dates to remember, but I like to keep a printed list organized by month that includes fun holidays our family likes to celebrate and other special occasions.
Read: 365 Fun Holidays to Celebrate with Your Kids
Kitchen Lists
12 // Grocery List
Whether you use a pre-formatted list of frequently bought items, or scribble a list on a post-it as you run out of something, a grocery list is one of the most useful lists to make.
13 // Pantry Inventory List
List of non-perishable goods on hand. This can be helpful for meal planning and grocery shopping.
14 // Freezer Inventory List
Same idea as the pantry inventory list—helpful for meal planning.
15 // Refrigerator Leftovers List
I use this list frequently, because I always cook more than we can eat at one meal, and my family can never seem to remember, or see, what is available to eat in the fridge. Posting a leftovers list on the front of the refrigerator makes it easy for them to know exactly what food needs to be used up. You can download my free printable leftovers list here..
Shopping Lists
Shopping Lists are helpful for planning ahead (gift lists), and for getting the best deals (wish lists).
16 // Personal Shopping List
Keep a list of items you need to buy, separate from groceries/household necessities. This could include clothing, cosmetics, and office supplies.
17 // Shopping Wish List
Keep a shopping wish list for items you would like to buy. Having a list like this allows time to think about whether you truly want the item, or if it is an impulse purchase you would later regret. This list also provides a way to see a group of things at a glance and prioritize the items most important to you.
18 // Gift List to Buy for Others
Keep an ongoing list of gifts you need to purchase. It’s helpful to shop ahead and take advantage of sales. It’s also a spot to jot down ideas when you hear a friend or family member mention a specific item they would love to have.
19 // Gift Suggestions List
I am not always great about keeping a gift idea list for myself, but I try to keep a list of gift ideas that I think my kids would like. Inevitably, when Christmas or birthdays come around, I get asked what my kids want. I find it helpful to keep a list of suggestions to reference.
Books to Inspire Your Lists
Aspirational Lists
This category is for future oriented lists, or those focused on maintaining a particular routine.
Individual Aspirational Lists
20 // Goals List
Whether you do the traditional New Year’s Resolutions or not, you should write down the goals you have for yourself. Don’t limit yourself to once a year. Do a quarterly or monthly check-in to see how you’re doing, and remain focused on what you want to achieve.
21 // Habit Improvements List
This list is similar to a goal list, but focuses more on a process than a specific accomplishment. For instance, if you have a habit of slumping over your computer, your habit improvement might be to set an hourly alarm on your phone to remind yourself to straighten your shoulders. Or perhaps to do a few stretches and practice good posture every time you put something in the microwave. Habits don’t change without effort, and having a list of habit improvements effectively prioritizes your focus.
Read: 52 Small Healthy Habits for a Year of Big Change
22 // Dream List
This is a list of dreams for your life. Not a bucket list so much as a “what if” list. Use a dream list as a way to sort through priorities. Since our time is a limited resource, seeing a list of the things you dream of doing or working toward allows you to choose more thoughtfully where you allocate your time.
Routine Lists
23 // Morning Routine
Create a morning routine list to manage your mornings. As your life circumstances and stages change, you should adjust your routine, but having some kind of routine definitely sets you up for a productive day.
This year, after reading Hal Elrod’s book, The Miracle Morning, I implemented a modified SAVERS routine. Check out my Miracle Morning Routine Inspiration.
Read: 100+ Morning Routine Ideas
24 // Evening Routine
An evening routine is the precursor to a productive morning. Make a list of things you can do in the evening to make your mornings easier, and to wind down from the day. This could be making coffee, packing lunches, journaling, reading, or writing your to-do list.
Read: Evening Routine Ideas for Homeschool Moms
Family Aspirational Lists
25 // Family Priorities List
This is a great way to list what is most valuable and important to your family. There’s a book called 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family, by Patrick Lencioni, that offers examples for how to discover what your family values most. When you are clear on what is most important, you can simplify your decision-making.
26 // Life Skills to Teach Your Kids
With the busyness and distractedness of modern life, it can be helpful to have a list of things you want to teach your kids. Hopefully, if you make time to teach them how to make beds and cook eggs incrementally, you’ll feel less panicked as they approach adulthood and you think about all the information they still need to know!
Read: 140 Essential Life Skills to Prepare Your Teen for Adulthood
Lists of Favorites
Lists of favorites are helpful for two reasons. First, as with favorite meals or favorite foods, it’s a helpful resource for keeping track of personal and family preferences. Second, lists such as favorite books or favorite movies mean you’re always ready to provide recommendations to others.
27 // Favorite Meals List
If you hate meal planning, a list of favorite meals is a lifesaver for those days you dread the idea of figuring out what’s for dinner.
Read: 10 Easy No-Recipe Dinner Ideas
28 // Favorite Treats List
This is a great resource for the next time you need to decide what to make for your husband’s birthday dessert or want a dessert for a special occasion dinner.
29 // Favorite Shopping Sites
Keep a list of websites you love for those times your want a unique gift or want to support small businesses.
30 // Favorite Books
I keep a list of books I’ve read, and star the favorites that I would recommend to others. One new list I’ve begun in this area is books I would specifically recommend my kids read when they are teens. Whenever I read a book that I think would be particularly life-changing, inspiring, or interesting for teens, I add it to this list.
31 // Favorite Authors
32 // Favorite Songs
33 // Favorite Singers or Bands
34 // Songs to Energize
35 // Songs to Relax
36 // Favorite Movies
Keep a list of favorite movies to recommend to friends or pick from when you need an idea for family movie night.
37 // Favorite Documentaries
Read: 36 Documentaries to Watch with Your Kids
38 // Favorite Podcasts
39 // Favorite Quotes
We all love an inspiring quote. There’s something about ordinary words strung together in just the right way that energizes us, makes us think about an idea differently, or create a new habit.
40 // Favorite Scriptures
In the same way that a list of quotes can inspire us to think or act more intentionally, a list of favorite Bible verses can be a source of peace, comfort, and joy.
Read: 30 Days of Praying Scripture
41 // Favorite Products
42 // Favorite News Sources
43 // Favorite Apps or Software
Lists of Things to Do or Try
Many of us have a “To Read” List, but you can use this category for anything you want to try or do. The problem is, without a plan of action, your list of books to read or recipes to try may sit on a list for years. I go through a process of assigning specific things to each month of the year in order to take action on them.
If you love the idea of planning a year’s worth of “To Trys”, here are my Monthly Lists to Plan Your Year.
Plan your whole year of priorities with this set of planning printables available in my Etsy shop!
44 // Books to Read
So many books, so little time, right? Keep a list of books you want to read and add to it any time you come across a recommendation or mention of a book that looks interesting. At the end of the year, choose 12 books from your list and assign one to each month of the year. At a minimum, you’ll have read 12 books from your “to read” list!
45 // Books to Read with the Kids
46 // Movies to Watch
47 // Movies to Watch with the Kids
Read: 100+ Family Movie Night Ideas
48 // TV Shows to Watch
49 // Podcasts to Listen To
If you’re a regular podcast listener, you know that at least half of the guests interviewed on any given podcast have their own podcast. Keep a list of podcasts to check out and do the same for these as for books or movies. Choose 12 at the end of the year and assign one to each month. You’ll find some that will stick and some that aren’t your cup of tea, but at the least you’ll be able to cross 12 off your “to listen” list.
50 // Articles or Blogs to Read
51 // Recipes to Try
52 // Crafts/DIY to Make
53 // Workouts to Try
54 // Restaurants to Try
55 // Places You’d Like to Visit in Your City
Bucket Lists
You can break down bucket lists in so many ways, but these are a few of my favorites.
56 // Travel Bucket List
57 // Things to Do with Kids Before They Grow Up
58 // Seasonal or Monthly Bucket Lists
Personal Lists
This category contains lists intended for your personal use or reflection.
59 // Gratitude List
A thankful list will lift your spirits while you make it and when you read it back later.
Read: 30 Days of Thankful Gratitude Prompts
60 // Self-Care Ideas
Keep a list of things that rejuvenate and re-energize you. Self-care doesn’t have to mean pampering yourself with manicures and facials. If meeting a friend for coffee feeds your soul, put that on your list. If a walk in the woods changes your perspective for the better, include that.
61 // Journal Prompts
Journaling can be a tough habit it get into, but every time I’ve taken the time to do it, I’m always glad I took the time. Keep a list of journal prompts to get you started or keep you going.
62 // List of Good Advice
I wish I had started this list earlier in my life. Write down good advice from grandmas, teachers, podcasters, and your kids! Any tip or tidbit that offers help in navigating any stage of life. You never know when it will come in handy.
63 // Ice-Breaker Questions
For you introverts especially, keep a list of get-to-know-you questions. Before you attend an event, scan your list and pick a few you can use to strike up a conversation.
64 // Your Strengths & Weaknesses
A list of your strengths and weaknesses is helpful for identifying what areas of your life need work. And, super helpful to have thought about before the interview.
Read: Big List of 250 Positive Personality Traits
65 // Your Skills & Accomplishments
Keep a list of your skills and accomplishments to remind yourself of your successes when you’re feeling less than successful. Also, very helpful to have when updating your resume.
66 // People Who Have Had a Positive Impact on Your Life
A list of people who have impacted you in a positive way can be a great reminder to pay it forward and extend yourself to help others. Write a thank you note to some of the people on your list. Look them up on social media and send a message to a teacher or coach who inspired you.
67 // List of Final Wishes for Your Memorial Service
It may seem morbid, but this is an extremely practical list. Outline clearly what your wishes are and your family will be grateful if they ever need to use this list.
Random Fun and Useful Lists
These lists don’t fit precisely in any other category, but they are useful or just plain fun to make.
68 // Suggestions of Things to Do in Your Area
A list of suggestions of things to do in your area is especially helpful if you get frequent visits from friends or family. Put together a list of tourist attractions, local parks, or places off the beaten path. Your guests will thank you!
69 // Best Websites for Kids
If you have kids, you probably don’t want to let them loose on the whole internet, but there’s a lot of great websites for kids to be entertained and educated.
70 // Acts of Kindness
You don’t have to wait for Random Acts of Kindness week in February to challenge yourself to “choose kind.”
71 // Funny Jokes
The next time you have to give a presentation or lead a meeting, you’ll love having a list of really funny jokes to pull from.
72 // Amazing Women in History
I have three daughters, so a list of amazing women from history gives us opportunities to talk about the contributions of women that might not be as widely known as those of their male counterparts.
73 // Unique or Interesting Facts
Keep a list of fun trivia and interesting facts just for fun. Your kids will wonder how you know so much random stuff!
74 // Historical People You Admire
75 // Questions for God
Yup, I’ve got a list for this. It’s a big one.
Tools that Make Work Fun
The large compartment in the back of this organizer will fit almost any notebook you choose!
Love the rustic wood, storage for days, and compartment for my notebook too!
Magazine holders are perfect for holding larger notebooks, and the paper sorter holds small notebooks – you’re covered!
The Lists that Will Organize Everything
Feeling inspired to make a list? Download your free printable list of the 75 best lists to make, grab a cute notebook or open a Google Doc, and get listing! Start with the one you need right now, and you’ll soon want to make them all. I’ve created a complete printable list pack in my shop that you can grab for just a few bucks and begin creating an organizational system for your whole life TODAY.
Join my mailing list to receive updates when new printable resources are added to the library, plus tips and encouragement for your organized homeschool journey.
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The Ultimate List of Lists to Make
I LOVE lists and I LOVED this post! I recently discovered the Trello app–the digital answer to a list lover’s dreams! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! I haven’t delved very deep into Trello, but from what I’ve seen, I’m sure I’d love it!
Man, I love a good list!
Love this, as a list making person I found this EXTREMELY helfpful!
I’m so glad you found it useful. Obviously, I love to make lists to keep track of everything!
This is my jam! I love lists! I have them in notebooks on paper and stickies and dry erase and posted on the fridge. So many great ideas for more! Thank you ❤️
Wow great post! I’m a list-maker myself and nothing gets me motivated more than being able to check stuff off. I recently started using Trello and love it – if you love lists, you should check it out.
Yes! I am working on consolidating my lists so that I can use them efficiently.
Yes! I did take a look at Trello, but I use Asana and I don’t think I want to go to the effort of learning another platform. If you have any insight into a comparison of Trello vs. Asana I’d be interested though!
Thankyou for sharing this!!
Would definitely try making lists and being more organized
Oh a list of list – I love it. I am totally a list person. I find it so therapeutic writing them and especially ticking them off. I tried going to electronic lists, but there is something really appealing to me about handwritten lists. Special stationery to write them. Oh I’m addicted! Thank you – brilliant article.
Making lists keeps my life on track!
Me too!
I still keep lists in the Notes app on my phone, and I use Evernote and Asana, but for my to-dos, I definitely prefer a handwritten list.
I’m a list LOVER! Thanks for these ideas.
The first thing I thought about was making a list of the lists on your list that you listed 😉 My life is one big list! Thanks for sharing!
Me too! ?
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This post made me realize how many lists I actually use, a lot more than I thought! I also love organizing my ideas and having handwritten lists and then handy ones on my phone as well. Thanks for laying out a list of lists!
Yes, I keep lists of everything!
I’m a huge list person so I’m excited to give these ideas a try!! Especially the morning and evening routines!
I’m pretty good at having a consistent morning routine, but I need to work on my evening routine. I always want to cram as much as possible into the evening and stay up too late.