Last Updated on November 6, 2024

I love lists, they help me organise all of the different things that I have swimming around in my head, and stay focussed on getting things done.

A great way to organise your home and your life, is to have different lists for different areas, so you don’t have one large list that holds everything, making you feel so overwhelmed that nothing gets done.

So with this in mind, here are 12 lists to help you organise your home and your life.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO START A LIST?

Any notebook and pen are suitable to start making lists to organise your home and your life.

I make my lists in in my bullet journal, which is a Leuchtturm1917 A5 notebook in Navy.

Other notebooks that you may use to write lists in include:

• Pocket notebooks, these are small enough to fit into your bag, so you can add to your lists whenever the moment strikes
• Decorative notebooks are always nice to make lists in, as they’re so pretty they inspire you to use them
• Hardcover notebooks are great as they’re sturdy and last a long time

Any pen that you feel comfortable writing in will do.

I prefer pens with black ink that aren’t too inky, as I’m left handed and I smudge as I write.

LISTS FOR ORGANISING YOUR HOME

Here are some list ideas for getting your home organised.

A chore list

A chore list is a great way to remind yourself what needs doing around the home, as well as allocating chores to days that suit you.

For example, you may decide to leave longer chores like vacuuming, mopping, and laundry to weekends, when you have more time to do them.

You may also decide to allocate shorter chores like unloading the dishwasher to night times.

Having a chore list and allocating chores to a certain day allows you to relax on busier days, and not feel guilty that you aren’t doing something, as that something will get done when you have more time.

A meal planning list

I make a meal planning list every week, which means that I’m not constantly at the grocery store, or stuck for ideas on what to cook each night.

A weekly meal planning list doesn’t have to be complex, it can be as simple as listing every day of the week in your notebook, along with what you plan on cooking for each meal.

You may also decide to include snacks.

A favourites meal list

A great way to make planning your weekly meals easier is to keep a list of your favourite meals.

Anytime you cook something that you and your family love, add it to this list, and cook it on a night when you don’t have a lot of time, or when you want to eat something you know you’ve loved in the past.

A grocery list

On the topic of meal planning, after you plan out your weekly meals, write a grocery list so you don’t forget any key ingredients that you need for the week.

You may also choose to add non grocery items to this list, such as washing detergent, rubber gloves, stationery, and even socks.

LISTS FOR ORGANISING YOUR LIFE

Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of everything going on in your life, and the best way to make sure that you don’t forget important things, stay on top of it all, and also make sure that you’re spending time doing things that you love, is to keep some personal life lists.

Here are some list ideas that will help you organise your life.

A gift ideas list

Keeping a list of birthdays and possible gifts is a great way to make sure you buy someone something that they would like, as well as being a way to remember everyone’s birthday.

A time blocking list

Time blocking allows you to organise your day by allocating blocks of time to similar tasks.

This lists allows you to also do tasks according to your energy levels, so your day is as productive as it can be.

If you’d like to learn more about time blocking and the types of tasks that can be grouped together, then please visit this post.

A master to do list

A master to do list is a list where you keep track of anything and everything that you want to do at some point in time.

Examples of items that you may put on your master to do list include clear out wardrobe, organise fridge, plan next holiday, paint master bedroom, buy Father’s Day present.

This master to do list will then get broken up into the below daily to do list.

A daily to do list

A daily to do list allows you to allocate items from your master to do list onto certain days.

It means that you can actually schedule items from your master to do list and get things done.

Every night I look at my master to do list and add what I can to the next day. If I have a day where I’m busy and I’ll be out for most of it, then I don’t schedule anything onto my daily to do list from my master list.

However, if I have a day that’s quite free, then I’ll move an item from my master list that will take a lot of time onto the day.

A books to read list

A books to read list is the perfect way to keep track of books that I’ve heard are great, and that I’d like to read at some point. It means I don’t forget about good books and use it to choose a book to buy when the reading mood strikes.

A goals list

Goal setting doesn’t have to just happen at the start of the year. You can set goals whenever you feel like it.

In fact, I’ve recently discovered that setting monthly goals works much better for me than setting yearly goals.

A master packing list

Having a master packing list makes packing for holidays quick and easy, and ensures that you don’t forget anything.

My master packing list includes everything that I need to pack for the whole family, including electronics, underwear, summer clothing, and winter clothing.

Whenever I need to pack I refer to my list and only pack what’s relevant for the climate I’m going to.

A self-care list

Making time for yourself is so important, and what you do in that time is even more important still.

I have a self-care list which lists 30 things that I can do for myself whenever I have the time, so I can ensure that any downtime I have is spent doing something I love, and not scrolling on my phone.

If a self-care list is something you’re interested in, then please read this 30 ways to practice self-care, and how to schedule it into your daily routine post.

What lists do you currently have to organise your home and life?