The Joys of Making a List with over 200 Fun List Ideas

I love making lists. 

I make lists for everything. Of course, there are the obvious grocery lists and daily to-do lists, but you can make lists for all sorts of things. 

I do. And you should try it too. 

Why I Make a List for Everything

I have lists of things, tasks, projects, and goals. I have lists of lists. 

It may seem like list-making gone wild, but I love it. Lists help me stay focused and knock essential items off my….list. 

Here are the top reasons why I keep so many lists. 

I Forget Things Without My List

If you’re someone who can keep everything organized in their head, then I hate you. 

Okay, not really.

I’m just jealous that I’m incapable of doing that. If I don’t write something down, it’s gone, never to be remembered again. 

That is until someone else brings it up, and I realize I completely dropped the ball. 

I have ADHD, so writing everything out on a list where I can see it helps me remember. 

Lists Keep Me Organized

A woman checks her phone calendar and adds things to the to do list in her journal.
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Andrey_Popov via Shutterstock.com.

My ADHD leads to a lot of disorganization. 

When I was in school, I always left my signed permission slips at home, put my homework in the wrong folders, and grabbed the wrong books for class. 

Now that I’m an adult, I’ve found that making lists helps me organize everything I need. I have a list of the things that need to be in my purse before I leave the house, a list of priority tasks I need to accomplish, and a list of bills that need to be paid. 

Keeping everything organized in list form keeps me on track. 

Lists Prevent Me from Overspending

Yes, we all know that grocery store lists help us with the budget. Making that list for grocery shopping and sticking to it is a tried-and-true way to save money on groceries.

But it also helps me at other stores. Have you ever been able to avoid impulse buys at Target and Bed, Bath, and Beyond? It’s so hard. You go there for one thing and come home with a cartload! 

I’ve been there.

The best way to prevent overspending at Target is to avoid going there altogether, but sometimes, we need things we can only get at the enticing store. 

Whether you need new dish towels or a replacement coffee pot, put it on your list. When you see that adorable knickknack, basket, plant, or journal that you can’t help but toss in the cart – stop.

Pause for a second. Check your list. 

Is it there?

If not, put it back. You don’t need it. 

Forcing the Message to Sink In

There’s power in writing something down. The items on your list become more than passing thoughts; they’re things you will do. 

When you write something on your list, you’re sending a message to yourself that it’s vital. 

The Satisfaction of Crossing Something Off

A woman crossing items off her to-do list.
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PeopleImages.com – Yuri A via Shutterstock.com.

My favorite feeling in the world is the moment of bliss I receive from crossing a horrendous task off a to-do list. It’s even better than completing the task itself!

Here’s my dark little secret (don’t judge me!). Sometimes, I’ll put something on my list after I finish it, just for the satisfaction of crossing it off. 

It feels so good. 

A completely crossed-off to-do list is a work of art. Try it sometime, and revel in the feeling of accomplishment you have for simply completing a list.

How to Create a List

We will get super meta here and write a list about how to make a list. It’s terrific, isn’t it?

  1. Get out your pen and paper
  2. Brainstorm the things you need on your list
  3. Write them down!

You can write your list on anything. I use a journal for some of my lists, a planner for others, and Post-It Postable lists for anything I need to take with me (like grocery and shopping lists). 

The Ultimate List of Lists

I bet you’re wondering how many lists you can actually make. 

Well, let this list of lists count as one, and then we shall see how many different types of lists you can create!

Sometimes, making the list is part of the fun!

Lists for Productivity

A man making a list with technology to keep track of his projects.
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khunkornStudio via Shutterstock.com.

Lists for productivity include all the lists you need to make to complete work.

Make lists of:

Daily Tasks

Priority Tasks

Top Weekly Goals

Project Goals

Daily Meetings

Things You Need To Do Before Getting Started

Daily Schedule

Weekly Schedule

Items You Need To Revisit

Things That Can Wait for Later

Brain Dump

Reason You Need to Stay on Track

Rewards to Give Yourself for Meeting Goals

Money Lists

A woman reviewing her spending with a credit card in hand.
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Kmpzzz via Shutterstock.com.

List-making can help you make, save, and manage your money. You might be shocked at how lists can help you achieve your financial goals

Top Financial Goals in Life

Grocery List

Shopping List

Financial Planning Checklist

Side Hustle Ideas

Savings Goals

Annual Bills

Monthly Bills

Weekly//Biweekly Bills

Financial Priorities

Things You Want To Buy When You Have Money

Financial Accounts and How To Access Them

Career Goals

Job Skills You Have

Job Skills You Want To Develop

Dumbest Things You’ve Bought

Biggest Ways You Waste Money

Best Purchases You’ve Ever Made

Lists for Around the House

Making a list of household tasks pinned to the refrigerator.
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New Africa via Shutterstock.com.

Lists can help you manage your household. Use these list ideas to keep track of things around the house. 

Spring Cleaning 

Monthly/Weekly Chores 

Daily/Weekly Activities 

Vehicle Maintenance Log

Running List of Household Items You Need

Home Improvement Ideas

DIY Ideas

Things To Sell on Marketplace

Ideas for Family Fun Night

Home Maintenance Log

Appointments

Contact List of Loved Ones

Emergency Preparedness List

Emergency Contact List

Packing Lists (travel, school, work)

Special Occasion Lists

A blank guest list on a counter surrounded by pencils and a coffee cup.
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Ekaterina_Molchanova via Shutterstock.com.

Stay prepared for special occasions by organizing your needs into lists. Here are lists that can help you plan for special events. 

Invitation/Guest List

Food & Beverages 

Potluck Items You Can Make

Christmas Card Recipients 

Gift Ideas

Gift Checklist

Budget

Decorations 

Contractors

Important Dates for Your Family & Friends

Self-Improvement and Personal Development lists

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KieferPix via Shutterstock.com.

Making a list can help you stay on track to meet all your self-improvement goals. Some of our personal development list ideas help you accomplish goals, while others remind you of all the great things you already have in your life. 

These lists can help you feel better about yourself or motivate you to accomplish more. 

Morning Routine Checklist

Evening Routine Checklist

Self-care Ideas

Things You Want To Give Up

Habits You Want To Develop

Mental Health Goals

Weekly Review List

Monthly Review List

Life Goals You Want To Achieve

Life Goals You’ve Already Accomplished

Reasons To Be Proud of Yourself

Workout Ideas

Areas for Self-Improvement

Gratitude 

Your Values

Your Strengths

Your Weaknesses (and Ideas for Improvement!)

Meal Plan

Fitness Goals

Personal Boundaries

Wellness Goals

Skills You Want To Learn

Things to Include in Your Elevator Pitch

Books You Want To Read

Limiting Beliefs

Challenges You’ve Overcome

Things You Need To Stop Worrying About

Greatest Fears

Favorite Things About Yourself

Ways You Could Give Back

Your Favorite Self-Improvement Tools and Resources

Relaxation Techniques

Things to Forgive

Reasons To Be Happy Today

Fun Lists to Make

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GaudiLab via Shutterstock.com.

Here’s where list-making gets interesting. You can make a list about nearly anything, from your favorite X to your craziest ideas. 

Discover over 100 fun lists you can make, and share the whacky ideas I missed in the comments!

Favorite Movies

Movies You’ve Seen

Best Movie Quotes

Favorite Books

Favorite Blogs (Please put this one on the list!)

Books You’ve Read

Favorite Songs

Favorite Bands

Bands You Want To See Live

All the Concerts You’ve Been To

Favorite Works of Art

Favorite Artists

The Most Famous Artworks You’ve Seen Live

Favorite Video Games

Hardest Video Games You’ve Ever Played

Games You Want To Play

Most Overrated Games

Favorite Television Shows

Show You Want To Watch

Favorite Foods

Exotic Foods You Want To Try

Recipe Ideas

Celebrities You’d Love To Meet

Historical Figures You’d Want To Meet

The Most Inspirational Men in Your Life

The Most Inspirational Women in Your Life

Historical Men You Admire

Historical Women You Admire

Favorite Quotes

Daily Affirmations

Most Extraordinary Things You’ve Ever Seen

Wildest Adventures You’ve Ever Had

Coolest Places You’ve Been

All the Interesting Places You’ve Been

Your Random Scientific Theories

Creative Projects You Can Do

Bucket List

Scariest Things That Ever Happened to You

Weirdest Things That Ever Happened to You

Favorite Ghost Stories & Urban Legends

Scary Places You Want To Visit

Travel Destinations You Want To Explore

The Things You’d Do if You Had a Million Dollars

How You Want To Change the World

Novel Ideas

Painting Ideas

Things You Can Draw

Things You Wish You Could Draw

Hobbies You’d Like To Try

The People Who’ve Touched Your Life

Things To Do When You’re Bored

Treasured Memories

Inventory of Collectibles

Journal Ideas

Favorite School Subjects as a Child

Favorite Topics To Study Now

Your “Niche” Special Interests

All the Things You Could Give a Five-Minute Presentation on Without Any Prep Time

Things You Hate

Invention Ideas

Things that Make You Happy

Your Favorite Simple Pleasures

Dream Jobs

Birds You’ve Seen

Insects You’ve Seen

Your Ultimate Gift Wish List

All the Animals You Can Think of (Try Going A-Z!)

Spells You’d Create if You Had Magic Powers

Favorite Mythological Creatures

Favorite Things To Do Outside

Favorite Things To Do Inside

The Best Smells in the World

Favorite Childhood Activities

Your Best Friends

Favorite Traditions

The Cultural Traditions You’d Like To Try

The Craziest Historical Events

The Most Believable Conspiracy Theories

The Dumbest Conspiracy Theories

The Best Compliments You’ve Ever Received

People You Should Compliment More

Ways To Be Nicer to Friends and Family

Date Night Ideas

Weekend Trip Ideas

The Things on Your “Someday” List

Things that Seem Cool but Aren’t Worth the Effort

Pet Names

Baby Names

Silly Terms of Endearment for Your Loved Ones

Road Trip Ideas

The Best Things To Do in Your Town

The Best Things To Do in Your State

Things You Want To Do in Your Town

Things You Want To Do in Your State

Quirky Things You’d Want in Your Dream Home

The Wildest, Craziest Things You Can Imagine

Jobs You’d Like To Try for a Day

Experiments You Can Try at Home

All the Things You Wanted To Be When You Grew Up

Things You Want To Be Known for

Your Favorite Superheroes

The Superhero Abilities You’d Love To Have 

The Most Interesting Science Facts You Know

Your Favorite Life Hacks

Your Darkest Secrets 

The Things You Want Most in Life

List of your Favorite Lists

Email Lists

Speaking of lists, have you signed up for my email list yet? You know you want to! 

List Making Apps

I’m old school. I’m no technophobe, but I love the simplicity of a pen-and-paper list.

However, many prefer technology and would rather use a mobile app to make a list. 

Here are some of the best list-making apps you can get!

Hey folks! Transparency Disclosure- Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. That means I’ll receive a small commission if you decide to click on it and buy something. Don’t worry, it doesn’t cost you anything extra!

Microsoft To-Do

To-Do is a basic personal task management app. It integrates with Outlook, so if you use that as your primary email provider, you can have it all in one place.

Google Keep

Google Keep doesn’t have the functionality of Microsoft’s app, but it’s a great option if you don’t need something that integrates with your work life. If you need a simple to-do list app, Google Keep has you covered.

One great thing about Google Keep is its note-taking functionality. You can even dictate notes to the app rather than writing them down!

Remember the Milk

Remember the Milk is a task list app with a lot of functionality. Unfortunately, you need to upgrade to the pro version to get all that. At only $39 per year, though, it’s one of the cheapest paid list-making apps.

However, if you don’t want the bells and whistles, you can easily use Remember the Milk for free. The most significant limitation of the free version is that it won’t send you in-app reminders, but you can still get free text and email reminders.  

Todoist

Todoist is great because the free option has tons of functionality. The free versions are essential when you’re on a budget!

Some cool features of Todist include the ability to assign and prioritize tasks and add tasks via email. 

Habitica

Habitica is a great app because it seeks to gamify getting things done. You can even have a little character that levels up when you finish something!

Get Your List On!

List-making is the best. Try it, and you won’t go back!

 

Author: Melanie Allen

Title: Journalist

Expertise: Pursuing Your Passions, Travel, Wellness, Hobbies, Finance, Gaming, Happiness

Melanie Allen is an American journalist and happiness expert. She has bylines on MSN, the AP News Wire, Wealth of Geeks, Media Decision, and numerous media outlets across the nation and is a certified happiness life coach. She covers a wide range of topics centered around self-actualization and the quest for a fulfilling life.