46 Lists to Make When Life Feels Chaotic

I’ve always loved lists.

Have done since I was a teenager and wrote journals full of lists on everything from my favorite songs of the year, my all-time favorite movies, books to read, and my extensive bucket list. Lists were fun!

As I grew older, I turned to lists to get things out of my head, you know, like a brain dump type of list.  Be it to-do lists, goals for the year, things to pack, or bills to pay. Writing lists down on paper helped me to dig myself out of many procrastination loops and to decrease the clutter in my head. Lists gave me room to FOCUS and actually get things done.

There’s one thing that has never changed, and that’s the fact that lists help me deal with life when it gets overwhelming, because it does! Even for the most organized of us! I’ll be honest with you and say that I’m totally overwhelmed at the moment.

So here’s 46 ideas – 46 lists you can make when life gets overwhelming.

Some are just plain fun. Some are serious. Once you get started you may not be able to stop!

Regardless, when you’re ready to sit down and start ‘listing’, have fun with it. Crack out the colored pens and a nice notebook just for your lists.

1. Books you want to read in your lifetime
2. Books you have read AND loved AND would recommend
3. Books in series – I read a lot of series and often get lost midway, so keeping lists helps me keep track on what book I’m up to in said series. I also hate reading books out of sequence, so this helps me avoid any spoilers!
4. Things you are grateful for this week
5. Things that make you happy
6. A feel-good playlist. List songs that make you feel good
7. Things you love about yourself
8. Things you love about someone else
9. Your own list of writing or journaling prompts
10. Self-care ideas
11. Your travel bucket list – include the places you have been and take pleasure in ticking them off!
12. Bills to pay and due dates – map out a plan and prioritize those bills baby!
13. Your to-do list. Get everything out of your head and onto paper!
14. All of the things you have accomplished this year – so far
15. Things you have achieved in life – so far
16. Your happiest memories – so far!
17. Inspirational quotes
18. Recipes you want to try
19. A meal plan for the week – easy meals that are quick to throw together and won’t add to your feeling of overwhelm!
20. Restaurants and cafes you want to try out
21. Your all-time fave movies
22. Movies to watch. Why not include some classics?
23. Movies that make you laugh
24. TV series to binge-watch
25. Your all-time fave songs / bands / singers
26. Gift ideas for _____
27. Things you want to learn
28. Hobbies to take up
29. A house renovation list
30. Plan to decrease the clutter. List things to throw out!
31. A shopping list
32. Useful advice / words of wisdom for when times get tough
33. Your fave places and spaces
34. Your Christmas wish list
35. Things to pack when you go on holiday
36. Phone numbers and addresses. You’ll thank me the next time you have an issue with / break / lose your phone!
37. Ideas of things to draw or paint
38. Questions to ask your doctor the next time to see them
39. Key dates for the year – birthdays, appointments, concerts, public holidays, holidays, and more
40. Songs to download or add to your playlist
41. Appointments you need to make, like checking in with the good old dentist
42. Articles to read
43. Itemize all of your valuable possessions
44. Who are you favorite people in the wide world?
45. What are your values and why? 
46. Your priorities for … life? The year? The month?

Here’s some tips for your ‘to-do’ lists

• Set aside a special pen for checking completed items off your list
• Buy some pretty stickers and give yourself a sticker for checking everything off your list.
• Set yourself a reward for doing everything on your list. It could be a glass of wine, a new top, or a massage!

Happy Listing!!!!