7 Types of Lists for Your Journal

Whether you are brand new to journaling or a seasoned writer, using lists in your journal 
can be really helpful. It allows you to compile lists of things you want to do, goals you 
want to achieve, places you want to go, and so much more.

Here are 7 types of lists to start with in your journal.


1. Goals and To-Do Lists

The first types of lists you can add to your journal are your to-do lists and compiling any 
goals you want to achieve. These are some of the simplest to write out, and surprisingly 
give you the most insight into what you want to journal about. 

The great thing about these lists is that you can go any direction with them, and they 
don’t have to be overly detailed if you don’t want them to be. Start simply with just a to-
do list. It can be for the day, week, month, or even year. Whatever comes to your mind, 
put on your list.


2. Past Accomplishments and Done Lists

Don’t just focus on what you think you “need” to do, and really find a way to be proud of 
all the accomplishments you have had already. We focus so much on what needs to be 
done, what to improve, what goals to reach, but don’t spend enough time ruminating 
over all the amazing things we have already accomplished.

Do you have a job you tried really hard to get?
Are you proud of your college degree?
Do you have a talent or skill you are especially proud of?
Did you finally do something you always had on your bucket list?
Are you proud of the person you have become?
Did you go through something challenging and overcame it?


3. Things to Do

If you find yourself stuck on what to write about, just make a list of things you want to 
do. This could be a list of places you want to visit, foreign countries you want to travel 
to, books you want to read, TV shows you want to watch, crafts you want to create, 
classes you want to take. There really is an endless amount of possibilities here.


4. Life Bucket Lists

Take this one step further by writing out some bucket lists you have for your life. This is 
a fun activity that can help you see what you want out of life, and you might even get 
some new ideas for journal entries in the near future. 

Your bucket list is typically not about any one specific topic, but more a general list of 
everything you want to do in life. It can be buying your first house or moving to your 
dream city, going on a vacation you have always wanted to go on, falling in love or 
getting married, learning to play a musical instrument or taking an art class. Think of 
things big and small that you someday want to do, accomplish, or experience.


5. Gratitude Lists

What are you the most grateful for? Writing down gratitude lists in your journal provides 
a lot of great benefits, not just for your journaling routine, but your mindset and life in 
general. A really good journaling habit is to write a list of what you are grateful for each 
day.

Some days, you will have the same items as the day before, while other days you have 
something new to add. It might be what seem like superficial things like items in your 
home that make your life easier or just appreciating your home and security. Other 
days, you will be grateful for a really nice gesture from a stranger, and just for your life 
that day. 

Your gratitude list will change as the blessings in your life do, and all of them are equally 
important.


6. What Makes You Happy

Another type of list to add to your journal is a list of what makes you happy. This is 
another way to approach a gratitude list, but written in a different way. It gives you the 
opportunity to highlight what actually brings you the most joy, not just what you 
appreciate having in your life.

Think deeply about what really makes you happy, what brings you joy, what you feel is 
the meaning of life. These are the profound items to go on this particular list in your 
journal. You might also discover a lot more about yourself by writing what makes you 
happy, because it gives you a lot more clarity about who you are and what you want out 
of life. 


7. Memorable Moments

Take a walk down memory lane by writing down a list of some of the most memorable 
moments and favorite memories of your life so far. This can be a simple list on one 
page in your journal where you just summarize quickly what each moment is, or a more 
detailed list where you describe what happened or how you feel when you think about 
that particular memory.

This can be a growing list you go back to again and again with new moments you want 
to add to it.
