I’m not sure when I made my first list, but it’s been a love affair ever since.
Lists are essential for simplifying life and finding fulfillment. They provide structure, clarity, and a sense of accomplishment and visually represent progress. They also function as an insurance policy against forgetting things and as a form of reflection and brainstorming.
You might think I have a list of lists – don’t! But, I do have both written and digital lists, each fulfilling different needs.
Joy Lists for Reminders and Reflection
Some lists are better when I handwrite them in a simple black-and-white composition notebook, a distinguished or creative journal, or something with a themed image.
Earlier this year, I created a joy list – a collection of simple pleasures, activities, and experiences that bring me happiness. Revisiting and adding to this compendium are a gentle reminder to prioritize joy in my daily life and a source of inspiration.
Other lists I’ve created and updated over the years include blessings, delights, hopes, inspiration, proud moments, and more.
Lists To Stay Organized So You Can Enjoy Your Time
I also like to create lists that keep me organized so I can enjoy my time, whether traveling, gathering friends and family for meals or finding entertainment. Creating these lists provides the thrill of anticipation while also offering practicality.
Packing Lists
Do you have places you travel to regularly? Years ago, I developed a primary packing list and have since created destination-specific lists: Montana in the summer (hiking boots and cowboy boots), Panama in January (time in the mountains, at the beach and in the city), and impromptu weekend trips when we see where the car takes us. When I traveled to France last Fall, I discovered invaluable seasonal packing lists from a favorite blog, Everyday Parisian – I thrived with carry-on only for two climates in two weeks!
Menus
Right next to my cookbook library, I have notebooks dedicated to recipes and menus. It’s fun to reflect on dinner parties with friends, family birthdays, our themed parties or my annual girls’ night gatherings, not to mention Thanksgivings and seasonal holidays throughout the year —we’re always trying new recipes or revisiting old favorites. (On Saturday’s TMDJ, I’ll share this year’s Father’s Day menu.)
Reading, Listening and Watching Repertoire
Maintaining a list or catalog of books you want to read and those you’ve already enjoyed is a delightful exercise in self-discovery. As you explore new genres, authors, and ideas, your lists show your curiosity and personal evolution. The same can be said of keeping a list of podcasts and shows – who can keep up with all the options without a list?
The Beauty of Curation
Traditional lists, mind maps, journals, or visual collages curate our thoughts, aspirations, and experiences. They encourage mindfulness, reflection, and intentionality—qualities that enrich our lives. So, grab your preferred medium—pen and paper, digital canvas, or even a simple voice memo—and start curating the ideas that resonate with you. Self-discovery awaits!
Two Links Du Jour:
100 Lists to Make to Life Your Spirits and Feel Organized – Todo Cloud
Two Minutes Du Jour 
5 responses to “A List of Lists for Personal Growth and Discovery”
First you feature The Tao of Pooh and now lists! Clearly we are kindred spirits.
I have to admit my love of lists has worried me lately. Is there something wrong with me? Do I have OCD? Am I overthinking this? (yes)
Maybe, in these days where massive corporations are doing all they can to steal our time and attention, I should think of them as a filters to only let the good stuff through.
I love your joy list, by the way. I’m going to start one of those.
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Enjoy making your joy list. I’m planning a post next month about overthinking, so feel free to share some ideas or resources. Thanks for reading!
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I don’t know that I have any resources that can help. I have found the podcast Beat Your Genes enlightening, but that would involve listening to about 200 episodes (starting at episode 1, after that it really is only for the fans), but that’s not really helpful.
What I have taken from the podcast is that you are who you are, there’s not point trying to change yourself, focus on changing the environment you are in. If you are hard-wired this way you can’t just “let it go” or repeat affirmations. Your feelings are your body’s way of telling you whether something is right for you, and what is important to you, so don’t try and force yourself to feel something you don’t.
So, for me that means finding useful things to over think about. My work is good for this, I’m basically paid to make decisions about tens of millons of dollars, definitely a career for someone who likes to think about things from every angle. I also dabble in computer programming, or “coding” as the young people call it these days, as a hobby.
After getting divorsed, I am now trying to literally get my house in order, so am designing routines for household chores, so they don’t build up. I’m pondering creating an iphone app that works this out itself, you I can just look at the list of chores for the day and do them, without having to decide each day what is needed. I can imagine some people saying that is definitely overthinking, but a few people I have mentioned it to say they would love an app like that.
Anyway, I’m rambling, and I’ve just realised it’s the Tao of Pooh, accept things as they are, including yourself.
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I’m not familiar with the podcast Beat Your Genes – will check it out. As for household lists, I’ve got plenty of those:) and I wish I had the self discipline to actually follow through on all the chores.
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Ah yes, actually doing the chores is definitely the hard part. 😂
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