to wonder if anyone else has a constant written list of tasks to do

[MariaWaria]

Is it just me or do others write lists they update each day? I always have loads of tasks on my list. Lots of things get done but there's alway more things to add.

Feel a bit obsessive and that others don't spend so much time cultivating their lists

AIBU to be a list writer?

[MeanAger]

Oh yes me but I am crap at updating them. I have approx. 3 million notebooks with lists all over the house. I write a list and then forget which book I wrote it in so rewrite it in another and then forget again! Maybe I should have a list of where my lists are written

[CRbear]

Me! And I add things to cross out even after I've already done them!

[Catra]

YANBU.

I've had a daily list for as long as I can remember and I'm constantly updating it throughout the day. It's in a word document that I always have open on my laptop and I have lists for the days and weeks to come too, which get fuller as I get nearer to those dates.

I don't just stop at daily lists - I log every penny I spend and everything I eat too. I sometimes forget that not everyone does this ...

[SabineUndine]

Me. Esp weekends.

[SonicBoomBoom]

Me!

DH begged me last week to stop writing To-do lists. He finds them all over the house. I lose them and never do all the tasks. Or remember all the tasks I need to put on it.

We were just actually cuddling in bed 5 minutes ago and I said "I'm feeling the urge to write a list of everything we need to do over the next few days". He sighed and rolled away. Was momentarily lonely then saw this thread and found my people

[DancingLedge]

Of course. How else could you live your life?
Have several lists - urgent, ongoing, longer term plans.
I don't, however, feel any need to colour code them, as DD2 is wont to do.

Currently trying to make more disciplined use of a magnetic whiteboard, on which I list 5 things that need done each day. This stops me writing a list so long and comprehensive that a) it would take possibly years to accomplish, and b) is so scarily paralysing that I divert into procrastination.

I think you're either born a list maker, or you're not. It helps keep me sane, because by writing down the things floating about my brain, I don't have to keep thinking about them any more.

[bellasuewow]

My goodness, I too write and update numerous lists I think it is some kind of perfectionist survival strategy but although I never forget anything and get lots done I do feel controlled and stifled by my lists sometimes and do think I should not let it dominate so much as if I am constructing my own prison or something

[OlennasWimple]

Definitely!

I feel much more prepared for the day with a good list in my pocket, and every now and again I get to cross lots of things off and start again (though TBH that doesn't happen very often...). I always try to include at least one thing that I know that I will get done that day, even if I cheat and put down something like "collect DC from school"

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

I am a compulsive listmaker too, and have recently made my peace with it and got into bullet journaling. I don't make it as pretty or complicated as some I've seen but I have a notebook with every day's appointments and To Do list, and tick them off or mark them to be carried over to the next day. I also have another list at the back for longer term To Do tasks (things like home renovation projects I want to do in future or memos about school uniform that needs bought). I honestly would be lost without it: my memory is shot and I would spend half my time trying to remember what needed done otherwise.

[MissBax]

I honestly wouldn't be able to function without lists! I'm very anal about planning in general though, but it's like I canr picture the jobs I need to do in my head - I HAVE to visualise them on paper to get them done. And yes, it's never ending!

[robinsongyal]

Mee! I write lists on my iPhone notes so have full satisfaction of matching the task up with the correct emoji & then putting a little green tick where I complete them

[SaintEyning]

Yep! Work list (stays at the office), and I have three other lists that get moved along in my Leuchtturm book: life admin (can be big things like 'update pension investments', or small like 'post letter to gran'); house jobs (mainly DIY and longer term things like retile bathroom); and now uni admin as I am starting a course in September. I also have a meal planner on the pin board in the kitchen as well as a shopping list.

Like a PP said, writing it down stops it keeping me awake at night...

[DramaAlpaca]

Compulsive list maker signing in.

[SaintEyning]

(Also have a calendar with columns for each person and general reminders e.g. ASDA delivery coming at 8..

[GavelRavel]

yanbu and I have a computerised one that I access from a bloody app and the lowest I've ever got the fucker down to is 8 items.

1 item has been there for about 8 years.

[Clickncollect]

Obsessive list maker reporting for duty!
I keep a to do list in a small notebook and take great pleasure in crossing things out as they are completed. I then rip the page out and rewrite the list when there are quite a few items crossed out.
It consists of easy wins (birthday card for Joe Bloggs / book restaurant) but also some shite that has been hanging around forever (sort out a will!)

[PavlovianLunge]

I do, I like to physically tick things off when I have done them. It makes me feel more productive than I really am.

[kitnkaboodle]

I have a love/hate relationship with lists. Have daily ones in my diary - always in pencil so that they can get carried over to other days. I can't believe people can function without them. But they are a curse too, and it's depressing how they are tyrannical and never-ending .
What are your most-carried-over-never-get-crossed-off list items?? Mine are 'start tax return' - since April, obviously, and won't get started til at least September now - and 'clean walking boots' (ones to sell at a car boot sale. Wouldn't normally clean walking boots!)

[PlaydoughBarbershop]

Are any of you Virgos? I am not one to believe in star signs, but it seems to be a Virgo thing for sure! I'm with the poster above who will also add something to the list to cross it out even after I've done it. Every other Virgo I have ever met is the same!

[Sunnydaysrock]

I love lists! Makes me less stressed. I have a general ongoing one, presents to get for the month, cat needs worming, make doc appointment etc. Then I have lists everyday in my diary. My favourite is a holiday list! With ages to go it has all the arrangements to make, car parking, currency, print documents etc. Then nearer time I have a packing list. I really think it's mentally healthy to do lists. And do satisfying to cross things off

[Sunnydaysrock]

#so not do satisfying

[KoolKoala07]

Me! I love a list and it clears my mind once it's written down.

[early30smum]

I am a list writer! sometimes I do a job that wasn't on my list, then write it on my list so I can tick it off

[zeebeedee]

I'm a virgo PlaydoughBarbershop and I do lists at work all the time, sometimes do one at home at the weekend. I have a mental one for next week (first week of the holidays, time to get things done) but haven't written it down yet.....

[Kat195]

I keep my lists in Google drafts so they can be easily updated. Things to take on holiday, things to buy, general to do. Prioritisarion indicated by the number of asterisks or exclaimation marks. I would love a better system but it somehow works. Before smart phones and before children (which entered my life at the same time) I never needed lists or even a calender.