A List of Lists Worth Keeping

I love lists, and I hope you do too, because you’re about to experience list-ception – that is, a list of lists to keep in your notebook so you always have them handy when you need them.

1. Packing List(s)

I do a lot of traveling – to my grandma’s house for a weekend, to my parents’ house for summer vacation, even to West Virginia University for a conference recently. I have several packing lists in my notebook that vary depending on destination and length of time, but you can also have one that contains all the absolute essentials you will need no matter where you go. A few items on my “always pack” list include a pencil, a notebook, and my lucky eraser, which is shaped like a pumpkin.

2. Bucket List

Keeping a list of things you want to do in your life – places you want to go, people you want to meet, missions you want to accomplish – will keep you motivated to achieve your goals even when the going gets tough. Plus, the satisfaction of crossing an item off your list when it’s been there for months, even years, will give you even more of a push to check off the next item.

3. Reading List

My reading list has two columns: books I’ve read and loved, and books I want to read. Along with books I’ve read, I jot down some notes about them that I couldn’t get just from reading the back of the book. This comes in handy whenever a friend asks for a book recommendation, so I can easily choose one I know they’ll like.

4. Quote List

During the 16th and 17th centuries, people often kept commonplace books – notebooks filled with quotes, poems, and snippets of wisdom. I keep my own version of a commonplace book, with poetry, lines from songs, and quotes that I’ve fallen in love with, either that I’ve read or that I’ve overheard. Among my favorites: “Let us not desert one another – we are an injured body.” – Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen and “I may be a loser but at least I’m not alone” from Give Up the Grudge by GOB.

5. List of Things You Love

This is by far my favorite list in my notebook – and for good reason! It’s a collection of my favorite things. I recommend keeping this list around all the time, so that any time you’re feeling down you can read it and feel good. Things that top my list include Christmas lights, breakfast burritos from Jim & Rob’s, giraffes, and the smell of freshly-sharpened pencils.

Do you have any lists you always keep in your notebook? Let us know in the comments! And check out our Listography book for some more awesome list ideas.