Is it normal to write lists every day?

[Collagenmeeverywhere]

On my notes on my phone, I have daily things needed to be done, generally a week or two in advance. Things are written for each day, food shopping, call insurance, ballet with Dd etc. I then have a list for the food shop and meals made that week. Is this normal, do you do this or is it over the top? I would like to just be list free I think, but I just can’t.
I’m a teacher (not full time or a class teacher anymore) but spent so many years of my life with daily/monthly/termly plans, that I think it just became part of me.
It just feels quite boring to be so structured, is it uptight? Sometimes I even find myself putting ‘Wash hair’ on the list, that’s weird right? 😬

I do this to reduce stress and anxiety. I tend to think if it as a useful tool, rather than normal or not.

Caitlin Moran has a great bit in her book More Than A Woman where she talks about how being an adult woman essentially means you start every day sitting on the loo reading The List. I’ll see if I can find it.

I send myself a daily whatsapp of things to do/book/buy/cook

I also regularly re send myself the list of holiday bookings/weekends away/nights out whatever because I cant remember what we're doing

We have now bought a calendar but I bet I dont look at it

We had a weird issue with an item on a list that DH wrote once, which was that neither of us read what it was. We tried brainstorming and came up with quite a few things for a new list, so not all bad in the end. Never did decipher the puzzle item.

I have at least one list on the go every day - when I go on holiday/away for any occasion whatsoever, I never have any stress as I have a list for every single occasion - yes, I'm smug. 😂

Phew ok 😅

I sometimes want to have no lists though..just a spontaneous life of what will happen next? But I think I’d have to plan that too…somehow 😂

I have at least two on the go all the time. Family/home/domestic stuff and another for my business.

Sometimes a third one for longer term planning.

Large Post Its are my favourite medium.

1. Wake up.
2. Breakfast
3. Do some spontaneous things
4. Dinner
5. Repeat 3
6. Tea
7. Repeat 3
8. Cocoa and biscuits
9. Bed

Yes I have loads of lists, shopping, to do and loads of random ones like christmas /birthday present ideas etc

For me if something comes into my head I get it on my list before it leaves my head and Im racking my brain trying to remember!

I love lists. If you write it down, you don't have to carry it all about in your head. I quite often write the next day's list when I go to bed. I also sometimes ignore it the next day.

Hahahah Noooo, nothing wrong with that at all! Some peoples personality type thrive on stucture, planning, routine etc and others, like me, feel completely suffocated by all of that!

whatever works best for your life, go for it! There is always going to be people similar to you and people opposite to you

@Milliemoos5 - I feel that a list, once written, frees me from a routine thing and I can be free.

Are you asking in case you are worried you are adhd?

Fab that that is works best for you l!

No, not weird at all. I love me a list, including stuff like ‘do nails’ - I’ve even been known to write a task on after it’s been done, just to have the satisfaction of ticking it off!

I can’t imagine how anyone can function without them tbh - mine are totally chaotic (loads on my phone, others on paper, some on a wall calendar) and nobody else would have a hope of deciphering what goes where, but I’d forget just about everything otherwise. Not on a list, not gonna happen. So no, I don’t think you’re being rigid or over-structured at all. Dealing with general life shite is a PITA so whatever helps you minimise stress and keep everything on the rails has to be a good thing.

I have lists - I'd never remember everything otherwise! Interestingly, I teach (still full time) and all of my colleagues use lists too 😀

I have a work list - usually split into various sections like form stuff, individual class stuff, HoD jobs and other.

At home, I note similar things to you.

Imo you can't beat a good list.

Yes!

Oh, I'm super spontaneous! My husband says that I make a weekend list of things that will never happen x

I love lists - I have list apps, habit trackers etc. and I like a good old fashioned paper list too. I don't get everything done, but they do help me get more done than I would without one.

I don't do this every day, no, but I do have mental lists in my head

The other day was particularly busy, so I made a list:

Halloween
Lunch for work
Anniversary
Child A - dentist

Which all happened in the space of 24 hours

I'm a list maker. It helps me plan and keep on top of things which in turn helps with my mental health.

I love lists. Food shopping without a list always causes havoc and I invariably spend way more than I should.

Lists are essential!

Lists are the best. It frees my headspace so I can think of other things, or enjoy some peace. I know I won’t forget, because … it’s on the list! And I get a real sense of achievement after ticking off list items, to the extent I’m quite disappointed if I do something and it wasn’t on the list in the first place. I have sometimes found myself adding on things so I can tick them off … too much?? 🤣

Another vote here for various lists. My choice is an exercise book, or similar size. I usually start the day with a cup of tea, looking at my list(s). Anything and everything goes on my list from "hoover the stairs" to "need a new car".

I am more likely to remember it if I physically write it down. Phone lists or computer lists don't do it for me.

I love lists! Couldn’t function without them!