Save Time and Mental Energy with These Lists

My husband and kids had just left for a boys weekend. I had the house to myself and I was so excited!

I sat down on the couch and grabbed the remote. I could watch WHATEVER I WANTED!

As I turned the TV on, I started thinking about all the different shows/movies I could watch.

In seconds, I was scrolling Netflix, then moving onto Hulu…so many options.

Ten minutes passed and I still hadn’t decided what to watch. And I was feeling really annoyed with myself for wasting so much precious time.

Finally, I settled on something to watch, but I had already blown a half hour.

Does this sound familiar?

As moms, our time alone is so limited! So when we have it, we don’t want to waste it away in indecision about what to watch – or what to do in general.

In fact, indecision and confusion are huge time wasters.  

After becoming frustrated with how often I wasted time trying to figure out what to watch when I had some extended down time, I decided to create a list on my Notes App titled “Things to Watch”.

This way, when I do have some time, I look at my list and pick the first thing that isn’t checked off. Another benefit of the list is that I check off shows I’ve finished watching giving me a little sense of accomplishment. Plus, if someone mentions a show that they think I’d like, I just add it to my list!

In this post, I’m going to share with you how you can make your life easier by using lists to save you time and mental energy.

This is not your typical “to-do list” post. However, I wrote a previous post about productivity lists I use in my life, and you can find that here.

Lists I Use to Minimize Indecision + Confusion

Reading List

Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. Last year I read 54 books and this year my goal is 56. You can check out my reading routine here.

In order to track all the books I’ve read, want to read, and currently reading, I use the Goodreads app.

However, I really like a paper list where I can actually write down and cross off the books I’ve read.

This is the third year I’m taking part in the Booklist Queen’s Reading Challenge. I print out the “Reading Challenge List” and use it to record books I plan on reading for the year. The reading challenge provides book prompts, so my reading life is diverse.

Before I finish a book, I look to the list to see what I plan on reading next. I then figure out if I need to buy it, reserve it at the library, or borrow it on the Libby app. When I finish a book, I have the next one ready to go!

Without the “Reading Challenge List”, I could use my Goodreads “Want to Read” list and go through books that way.

Both lists eliminate overwhelm because I don’t have to think about what I’ll read next.

Bedtime Skincare Routine List

A few years ago, I was prescribed retinol cream to use on my face. If you’ve ever used retinol before, you know it’s a slow work up to applying on a daily basis.

My dermatologist gave me a detailed weekly schedule for days to use it, along with when to use other skincare.

I knew I would never remember this on my own, which would mean I’d eventually stop using it, or I’d irritate my skin and give up.

I took the schedule I was given and typed it up so I knew exactly what to apply every night of the week. Then I printed out the schedule and laminated it. I placed it in the bathroom with my skincare.

Every night when I washed my face, I would follow the list.

I knew that in 3 months, I could work up to another night of using the cream so I made sure to place the date on the list, and recorded when I can start to add another night into the routine.

Not only did this help my skin, but this also helped my tired end-of-the-night brain from having to think about whether it was my retinol night. It also helped to make the skincare routine a nightly habit.

Morning Routine Checklist

I know I’ve mentioned this before, but having a “Morning Routine Checklist” is so helpful!

Your brain will sit in indecision and confusion if it must figure out what to do in the morning, especially if you’re starting a new routine.

When you wake up to your “Morning Routine Checklist”, you’ll have a plan in place that your brain will be much more likely to go ahead with.

You can find out more about my morning routine here.

And you can find a free “Morning Routine Checklist” for yourself and your kids by clicking here.

Things to Watch List

I already covered this, but I figured I would share it here also.

My “Things to Watch List” is where I document shows I want to watch. I separate the shows out by streaming platforms, one less thing for my brain to remember!

Then when I finish a series, or movie, I check it off.

Even though I’m a huge Bravo TV fan, I keep a list of all the shows I’m watching on the network, so I don’t forget any!

This is also a great place to keep track of shows/movies/documentaries I want to watch in the future.

Another benefit of this list is I’m intentional with what I watch. If it’s on the list, it’s because it’s piqued my interest at some point. I’m not just mindlessly choosing something.

Create Lists to Save You Time + Mental Energy

The use of the above lists has saved me so much time and mental energy.

Each list serves a specific purpose, whether it’s for my skincare routine or planning my reading and TV time.

Are there areas of your life that you find yourself sitting in overwhelm, confusion, or indecision? Would creating a specific list help you? What about your hobbies and interests, is there a list you could create to support the time you can devote to them?  

Before you leave, grab the free Morning Routine Checklists! You’ll find them by clicking here.