10 Essential Lists to Organize Your Life and Boost Productivity

If your brain feels like it’s juggling 57 tabs at once maybe you should take a look at these lists to organize your life and make it easier overall.

Seriously — the relief is instant. Lists are like brain decluttering magic. They help you stay focused, remember what matters, and actually do the things you said you were going to do (instead of just thinking about them at 2am when your brain decides it’s time to panic).

Over the years, I’ve learned that there’s no better way to manage time, reduce stress, and stay on top of life than by leaning into the power of a well-organized list. And no — it doesn’t have to be fancy, color-coded, or in a $30 planner. Your Notes app or a scrappy notebook will do just fine.

These 10 essential lists are my personal go-to tools for organizing my life, managing my energy, and keeping my goals front and center… without burning out. Steal them, tweak them, or totally make them your own — just use them. Trust me, your future self will thank you.

lists to organize your life

1. The Master To-Do List

This is your brain dump. No categories, no order, no pressure to make it pretty. Just one place where all your thoughts, tasks, and mental sticky notes can live rent-free.

Whenever you’re feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or like there’s too much to keep track of — this is where you go.

“But Rita, I don’t know what to write down…”

That’s okay! Start by asking yourself some questions:

• What’s been on your mind lately?
• What have you been putting off?
• What needs to get done soon?
• What’s annoying you around the house?

Still stuck? Think about these categories:

• Things to buy (shampoo, gifts, printer ink)
• Errands (returns, appointments, groceries)
• Projects (home decor, work stuff, blog revamp)
• Admin tasks (emails, documents, renewals)
• People to follow up with
• Rooms to clean
• Things to declutter

Tip: Once a week, review this list and pull the tasks that are actually aligned with your goals into your daily or weekly plan. If something’s just busywork or low-priority, it’s okay to ditch it.

2. Weekly Planning List

Sundays are my sacred planning day — I grab a coffee, light a candle, and set up my week like I’m the CEO of my own life (because I am, and so are you).

A weekly planning list gives your days structure without making them rigid. It lets you focus on what truly matters and helps you avoid that “I’m busy but not productive” feeling.

What to include:

• Your top 3 goals for the week
• Any appointments or events (work meetings, birthdays, calls)
• Meals to cook or prep (no more 6pm panic)
• Content to create or post (if you’re a content creator, blogger, or just love sharing)

You can absolutely add more as the week goes on, but this gives you a clear, intentional starting point.

Reminder: Be realistic — 42 to-dos in a day isn’t planning, it’s self-sabotage. Focus on impact, not quantity.

3. Brain Dump List

Some days, your brain is like a crowded subway station at rush hour. Thoughts flying in all directions. Deadlines. Random ideas. That one embarrassing thing you said in 2017. Welcome to chaos.

Enter: The Brain Dump List.

This isn’t about productivity. This is about mental peace. Just write it all down — unfiltered, messy, and without editing. You don’t even have to do anything with it immediately. Just get it out of your brain.

• Worries
• Ideas
• Things to remember
• Annoyances
• Random reminders

You’ll be amazed how much lighter you feel after. It’s like giving your brain a deep breath.

Bonus tip: Pair this with a warm drink and cozy vibes. Let the overwhelm melt.

4. Cleaning & Home Maintenance List

You know that “ugh everything’s a mess” feeling that hits randomly? This list helps prevent that. It turns adulting into something you can manage instead of constantly catching up with.

Break it down into:

• Daily tasks: Dishes, make bed, quick tidy
• Weekly tasks: Laundry, vacuuming, bathroom clean
• Monthly tasks: Fridge deep clean, sheets, windows

You can even go seasonal — think decluttering your wardrobe, switching linens, or checking fire alarms.

My system: I use Notion (because I’m obsessed), but you can totally do this in your Notes app or a printable checklist you hang on the fridge. Just make it accessible.

5. Content Ideas List

For the creators, business owners, bloggers, or anyone who likes sharing online — this list is your secret weapon.

Keep a running list of ideas for:

• Blog posts
• Instagram reels or carousels
• Newsletter topics
• YouTube video ideas
• Stories or TikToks

This saves you on days when inspiration is low or your brain’s just not having it. And yes, creativity is real work — treat it like it matters.

P.S. I’ve got a full post on Instagram content ideas you can grab if you want more inspo!

6. Go-To Meals List

If dinner is always the daily drama in your house… this list will change your life. I made one out of desperation (because I kept either ordering food or eating toast), and it stuck.

Create a list of 5–10 meals that are:

• Quick
• Easy to prep
• Made with stuff you usually have
• Actually taste good

Things like:

• Chicken stir fry
• One-pot pasta
• Sheet pan dinners
• Big batch soups
• Sandwiches that feel fancy

Next to each meal, jot down the ingredients you need. That way, grocery shopping gets easier too. And if you’re feeling extra organized, meal prep some ingredients ahead of time (like rice, quinoa, roasted veggies, chopped fruit).

My hack: As soon as I get home from the grocery store, I clean and chop fruit. It makes me 3x more likely to actually eat it.

7. Budget & Expenses List

Money stress? Been there. It creeps in when you least expect it — like when your card gets declined and you’re standing in front of the barista pretending to “try another card.”

A simple budgeting list puts you back in control.

Track:

• Your income (even if it’s multiple sources)
• Fixed expenses (rent, phone, subscriptions)
• Variable expenses (groceries, eating out, clothes)
• Savings goals
• Debt repayments (if applicable)

It doesn’t need to be scary or restrictive. It’s about awareness — so you can make decisions based on facts, not vibes. And honestly? Seeing your progress feels amazing.

Reframe: Budgeting isn’t punishment. It’s clarity. It’s freedom. It’s being the main character who knows what she wants.

8. Goals List (Monthly or Quarterly)

Dreaming big is cute, but if you want to actually get things done, you need a plan. A goals list breaks your vision into bite-sized, doable actions that you can track and celebrate.

You can set them monthly or quarterly, depending on what feels right for you.

Some examples:

• Walk 8,000 steps/day
• Write 4 blog posts this month
• Start a newsletter
• Launch a product
• Take 2 rest days a week
• Journal 3x a week

Then break each goal into smaller tasks. For example:

Goal: Launch your newsletter

Steps:

• Pick a platform
• Create a signup form
• Write your first email
• Promote on Instagram

Every task is a win. Every small step is a celebration.

Tip: Review your list weekly. Adjust. Refocus. Keep it fluid.

9. To-Learn List

Life isn’t just about doing — it’s also about growing. Whether it’s something for your business, your creativity, or just because it sounds fun — learning new things keeps you motivated and mentally sharp.

Create a running list of:

• Books to read
• Courses to take
• Podcasts to listen to
• YouTube channels to follow
• Skills to build (SEO, design, Pilates, whatever)

At the start of every month, pick one or two things to focus on. That way, you’re not overwhelmed but still growing. Progress doesn’t have to be fast — it just has to be consistent.

10. Joy List

Okay, maybe the most important list of all. Your joy list is your personal stash of things that make life sweeter, softer, more fun — especially when life feels heavy or flat.

It’s a reminder that you’re more than your to-do list.

Some ideas:

• Go for a walk in the sun
• Light your favorite candle
• Rewatch a comfort movie
• Bake cookies
• Call a friend
• Dance around your kitchen
• Visit a bookstore
• Dress up just because

Note to self: You don’t have to earn joy. You’re allowed to enjoy your life while building it.

Final Thoughts

Being organized doesn’t mean being perfect. It doesn’t mean squeezing every second out of your day or checking off 100 tasks before noon.

It means creating space — for what matters, for what brings you peace, for what lights you up.

These 10 lists are tools, not rules. Use them in a way that works for your life, your energy, your priorities. You don’t need to do all of them at once. Start with the one that feels easiest, or the one that your brain keeps nudging you about.

And remember — productivity isn’t just about doing more. It’s about doing what actually matters.

So… which list are you going to try first? Slide into my DMs or leave a comment — I’d love to know what’s working for you, what you’re excited to try, or even what feels hard right now. You’re not alone in this. Let’s organize our lives — without burning out.

If you liked this post, you might want to check out all of my organization posts.

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