Save Your Lists

One thing I have been doing for years that I absolutely love is making and keeping lists that I use over and over again. In the past few weeks I used two of these and I always love how great they are. 

The first list I recently used is a very specific packing list. I keep the file on my computer and whenever I have a trip coming up, I print out the list and add to it whatever I need for that trip. It is simple to add and cross off just with a pen the things that are needed or not for whatever trip we have coming up. It helps me remember without feeling like I'm forgetting something. 
The second list I find myself using over and over again is a party planning list. When I have a party I want to throw for a friend or a child, it is simple to look up this list I put together from past parties and internet lists and work off that. 
Some other lists I like to use include a Christmas card list, cleaning list, garden seeds/plants we like to plant, our favorite things to do in the summer time/winter time - or any season. Not that we use everything on these lists all the time, but not having to recreate them each time is a huge brain and patience saver. It is okay to have a giant list you keep adding to and that you just use the parts you need. For the packing list I was able to take off "diapers/wipes" when everyone was potty-trained, but I left things like "gifts" on there for when we do a visit around the holidays or a birthday. 

After you go to the work of making a list, save that list and remember to use it over and over again for the benefit of your brain and for making things that tend to add a little stress a little easier.