I have always been a list maker. Lists are a way of getting thoughts and ideas out of my head and onto paper, in an orderly fashion. They help give structure and direction to my life, which I feel is more important than ever during present times! Many of us are in lockdown at the moment due to the COVID-19 situation which means life for many of us has been turned upside down. Lists are one way to re-introduce a bit more focus and help us to feel more organised. Are you a list maker? Here are 6 lists to make during lockdown.
6 Lists to Make During Lockdown
1. A list of things to do during lockdown
If you are in lockdown, you are likely to find yourself with a lot more free time on your hands. You may wish to use this time to work on projects, learn new skills or complete tasks that you have been putting off for months. Or, you might want to take the opportunity to relax, practise some self-care and take a break from a hectic lifestyle. For most of us, it will be a combination of both. Either way, it’s good to have some things to focus on to take your mind off the coronavirus and lockdown situation, whether you’re working on a new DIY project or a Netflix marathon.
Some of you may also find yourselves with new responsibilities during lockdown, such as running errands for vulnerable neighbours or homeschooling your children. Making a list of tasks required for these responsibilities will help you to feel more organised and in control.
If you are stuck for ideas to add to your list, check out this post: Things to Do When You are in Self-Isolation
2. A list of things you will need to do when lockdown is over
It may feel like this lockdown is going on forever, but sooner or later it will end. Although most of us can’t wait for this, it might be a little overwhelming when it is over and we suddenly have so many options open to us. Therefore it is good to have a plan. Making a list of things you need to do after lockdown will help you to feel more in control and prepared for when it does end.
Examples of things to go on this list would be: rescheduling appointments (e.g. haircut, medical, car service), visiting the bank, taking items to charity shops (if you’ve done some spring cleaning) and taking items to recycling centres. I always save up Tetra Pak cartons to take to a recycling facility in my local town because they can’t be put in our household recycling bin. At the moment, these cartons are really piling up so one of the first things I do after lockdown will be to take them into town!
3. A list of things you want to do when lockdown is over
There are probably some things you used to do regularly (or occasionally) before lockdown, that you are now missing. This would include things like visiting your friends, going to your favourite restaurants and going to the cinema. Make a list of these and plan to do them when lockdown is over. This will give you something to look forward to and provide a light at the end of the tunnel.
You could even make some extra special plans such as planning a dream holiday. Even if you’re unsure if or when you could make this dream a reality, it will still lift your mood and give you something to be excited about.
4. A list of people to keep in touch with
It’s important, for our own mental wellbeing, to keep in touch with our family and friends. This could be via video calls, phone calls, instant messaging or email. It’s also important to check up on anyone you consider to be particularly vulnerable during this time. Even just sending a quick message once in a while to a vulnerable friend or acquaintance could make a huge difference to their wellbeing. By making a list, you will make sure you don’t forget anyone, and you can keep track of who you have contacted recently.
5. A list of groceries and household essentials
I suggest making a list of all the groceries and household essentials that you want to keep in stock. This would include food, personal care items and cleaning products. You can use this list to keep track of which items you have, and which you need to buy. This will make your shopping more efficient because you’ll know when it’s time for a grocery shop and you won’t forget anything. This means you won’t have to make as many trips out of the house or place as many online orders which will free up delivery slots for other people.
You can also keep a separate list of any one-off items you or your family needs. When something on the list is needed imminently, you can order all the items together in one package.
6. A list of things to be grateful for
Life is a little crazy at the moment, for some of us more than others. It’s easy to get dragged down by worries and fears, but it’s important to remember that there is always something to be grateful for. Even if it’s just little things like birdsong, sunshine and a cup of tea. Making a list of these things will make you more consciously aware of them. This, in turn, will help you to feel a little more positive and uplifted during these times.
I have been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now and this has proved especially valuable to me during lockdown. You can read more about my gratitude journal in the following post: Grateful, Proud and Always Learning
Have you made any lists during lockdown?
I would love to know if you have already made any of these lists. Did you find them helpful? Have you made any other lists that are not in this post? Let me know in the comments below!
In the meantime, I hope you and your families are all keeping safe and well!
Love making lists. Definitely going to make use of this lists of lists.
Hope you find them helpful! 😊
Great post 👍 I’ll try to write my lists 😉 I want to do lot of things when lockdown is over OMG 😲 I think my first visit will be to my family and take a delicious dinner in Ann Italian restaurant 😍
That sounds like the perfect plan for when lockdown is over! I’m definitely looking forward to visiting my favourite restaurants too!
Great post. I love writing lists too & can’t function without them. I’ve got a notebook that I’ve been writing things down that I need or want to do when this is all over.
I’m the same, I need lists! Glad you’ve been making some plans for after this is over 😊
There are some great ideas here! I like to write in a journal every day which helps me get all of my thoughts out onto a page but lists are something that helps me stay organised. The essentials list is definitely something I need to get into the habit of using again. I’m constantly going my weekly shop and forgetting about little items that we’ve run out of (sauces etc) and kicking myself when I get home.
I like writing in a journal every day too. I recommend the essentials list! 🙂
I have made a point to make handwritten lists. Something I didn’t do before lockdown! I love number 6. This is a very important list!
Glad you’ve been making lists too! Number 6 might just be the most important list of all!
5 and 6 are the most important to me <3 I love making lists, it gives me a sense of order and calm. I do try not to overdo it though as sometimes the amount of things on the lists can seem daunting and scary and so make me prone to procrastinating
I know what you mean about having too many things on the lists! When I get overwhelmed by a list, I sometimes write a separate ‘sub-list’ of things that I intend to tackle right now. It’s less daunting than a huge list!
Exactly these are the things which needs to be done. Perfect article!!
Thank you for reading!
I have not made a list of things to do after this lockdown but you have giving me ideas. Thank you for sharing. Will definitely make use of this
I’m glad I’ve given you some ideas! 😊
Yasss, lists are my favourite things and I’m so nerdy when it comes down to it! I have made so many. My favourite is my quarantine to-do list
Em x
https://loveemblog.blogspot.com/2020/04/12-things-you-must-do-if-you-visit.html
Lists are great, aren’t they! Glad to hear you’ve made a quarantine to-do list! x
Love your list idea – I work well off of lists and these are great ideas!
Glad to have given you some ideas! 😊
This lockdown thing is stressing everyone out and making lists like this can truly help. I think the 4 & 6 are the most important.
4 & 6 are definitely important lists to help our mental health and that of our friends and families!
Great advice! I’ve been thriving off lists during this time, mostly what I’ll do when it’s all over.v
Thank you! I’m glad you’ve got a list of things to do when it’s over x
So many great ideas!
I’m actually enjoying the time off of quarantine and I haven’t thought about all the things I’ll have to do once it is over, so I definitely need to make that list. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thank you! I’m enjoying this time too, well some aspects more than others! It does make me feel a bit stressed when I think of the things I will need to do when it’s over, so it’s definitely a good idea to make that list so we are prepared and it’s not another upheaval!
Aw I love this so much! I’m a big fan of making lists and crossing things off – makes me feel so accomplished. Thanks for the reminder of things I’ll need to do – like haircuts and a pedicure! But also so nice to have a list of things to look forward to and always so important to have a gratitude list.
I’m the same – it feels so satisfying to cross something off a list! You’re welcome, and yes a gratitude list is so helpful!
I love these, especially the list of things to be grateful for, it’s so important to remember the positives in this time!
Absolutely, it’s so important!
I love lists too! I find it really calming, to get things written down and organized. A gratitude list is a daily staple for me, aren’t they great for mental wellbeing! I’m personally struggling to get much done at all at the moment, my anxiety is too high, so a list of things to do in lockdown is more like a list of ways to step up my self care. I love the idea of a list of things to do once this is over, I think that’s a great way to focus ahead on better times to come. Thank you for a great post!
Gratitude lists are so great, I’m glad you think so too! These are definitely unsettling times so don’t feel bad if you struggle to get much done. Self-care is more important! A self-care list is a great addition, I should have included that in this post!
Stay well and happy!
Wow, your 6 lists came really useful as we are currently locked down at home. I also like very much that you mentioned the list with things to do once the lockdown is over
I’m so glad you found them useful! I bet that travel will be on your list of things to do when lockdown is over! 😄
Sure thing, Travel is the one thing that keeps us going after long days at work. We also teach others how to do it, that is why we share our experiences on our travel blog – www. worldwidetravel.tips . What is the first thing you will do after the lockdown is over ?
Your blog is definitely a valuable resource for travellers! The first thing I’ll do after lockdown will be meet up with my friends and go to one of my favourite restaurants!
I LOVE making lists! I’ve already done number 1 but I think 3 and 6 will be next ☺️ X
Glad to hear you’ve already made a list of things to do, I hope 3 and 6 will be helpful for you too! ☺️
A list of things to be grateful for is a list of positivity!
I have made long to-do lists, but I love the idea of making a list of things to do once this ends. I have so many small ideas, listing them is an excellent way to remember them and expand upon them. 🙂
It’s definitely a list of positivity, that’s a great way of looking at it! Listing ideas is definitely a great way to remember them and new ideas often spring from them when you re-read the list!
This is a great post. Making lists is such a good idea. I’m always making lists so should add these ones too.
Thank you, I hope you find these lists helpful if you do make them!
I’m a huge list maker, too. I love the idea of making a list of everything you want to do after lockdown. I have a ton of places I want to go! Great post!!
It’s great to make that list because then you have some things to look forward to! 😊
I love that you are taking journaling a different approach through lists. I am a huge fan of lists. This is how you can get organized. I am a big fan of #3! This is also a great way to realize what you took for granted before the lockdown/ Thanks for sharing all of these awesome ideas!
Nancy ♥
Lists are fantastic for getting organised, and I definitely recommend making list #3! Very true, hopefully, we will no longer take those things for granted! 😊
I love a good list! I love the idea of one about things that need to be done when lockdown is over, that’s such a good idea. Going to have to try that out – I’m bound to think of stuff and then totally forget about it again. Great post.
Thank you! I hope that list helps you to stay organised.
LOVED this post. I’m definitely a list addict – my life feels like it’s falling apart unless I have lists for every single aspect of it haha!!
Roni 🖤
myelevatedexistence.com
Haha, I’m the same! Glad you enjoyed this post! 💕
I love lists and I would be so overwhelmed if I don’t have one even for a day. I get up with a to do list and end with the accomplishment list based on the to do list. I even have a list of lists!
So you know how much I love this idea and appreciate your posting it!
I’m the same – I make a to-do list every day and it’s great to see the tasks ticked off at the end of the day! I haven’t gone quite so far as having a list of lists, though. Glad you appreciated this post!
I love lists too – I don’t think I would remember much of anything these days if I didn’t have lists. These are great and I especially like the last one – we’re in a strange scary situation now but there are still so many things we can be grateful for! It’s good to remind ourselves every now and then.
I’m the same, I organise my whole life with lists! I’m glad you like the last one – like you say, there are always so many things to be grateful for!
I’ve definitely found comfort in writing lists at the moment. With the lack of a routine, I feel like writing lists is a way for me to still stay in control and know what’s happening! Great post!
I can totally relate to that! It’s a great way to stay in control. 😊
I’m not one for list until I go shopping I enjoyed this thank you, think I’m going to start listing things down
Glad you enjoyed this, I recommend lists as they are great for organisation! Shopping lists are always helpful.
I love all these ideas, especially the gratitude list! My husband and I started a list of random home improvement things we could think of. He is still working, as he is a remote worker normally, but we’re trying to make better use of our time now that we’re stuck at home more often.
A list of home improvements is a great idea – what better time to get on with them!
Amazing post, lists have always been my jam! Our #1 on our list is to go on a date when all this is over with.
A date sounds like the perfect first activity for when this is over! Thank you for reading ☺️
This is a fab post! I really enjoy writing lists, but I don’t feel mine have been very focused recently so I’m going to follow your suggestions – thank you so much!
Pixee xo | Thats What Pea Said
Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed the post! I hope these lists will help you to gain more focus 😊
I’m such a list person too! I’ve found that lists are a really good way of structuring my time in lockdown. I love the idea of a list of things that you’re grateful for. A really great post – thank you! x
Lists are so helpful, aren’t they! Thank you for reading 😊
I loved points 2 & 3. The difference between points 2 & 3. The difference between ‘need’ & ‘want’. Superb! Also point 6. One of the first thoughts that struck me when the pandemic began was how fortunate I was to not struggle for so many things. It made me list down all the things I’ve been grateful for during Covid19. I would love to share that blog post with you, if okay with you.
I’m glad you enjoyed this post! I’m glad that you’ve been fortunate during the pandemic. Writing a list of things to be grateful for is always a great thing to do! I would love to read your blog post.
Ever since I’ve ‘adopted’ gratitude, I honestly feel I’ve changed as a person. Do give a read when you’ve time – https://priyaparulblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/13/thoughts-in-the-times-of-a-pandemic-be-grateful/ .
I just read your post – it’s such a great, positive post and I’m so glad that you’ve found so many things to be grateful for! Gratitude is such a great way to boost our mental health.
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