The self-improvement industry can leave us questioning if we will ever be good enough. It drives unnecessary consumption, exacerbates anxiety and contributes to an idealised expectation of ourselves. The burden of social-media-fuelled comparison and pressure to follow our passions can be overwhelming, and have the adverse effect of inhibiting action.

I have started writing ‘life lists’ to help counter the paralysis which saw me overthinking things in my personal life and doing very little. The distinction between ‘life lists’ and ‘to do’ lists is an important one. I have long written task-oriented ‘to do’ lists for work to keep me on track and enhance my productivity. The purpose of the ‘life list’ isn’t productivity or self-improvement, but momentum. The list serves as a reminder and record of what will move me forward each day and serve my emotional, mental and physical wellbeing. I don’t need to cross everything off, and I feel lighter as soon as I articulate an intention by scrawling it in my notebook. I then reflect on what I have ticked off, how I have spent my time and to what end. Would I have got more from a gallery visit than the latest Netflix series?

Personal admin and chores inevitably find their way onto my ‘life list’, alongside prompts to listen the latest instalment of my favourite podcast, watch a movie recommended by a friend or read 50 pages of the book on my bedside table. By listing these wide-ranging activities together, I can also identify opportunities to make best use of my precious time e.g going for a walk outside to get my 10k steps (tick) and enjoy some sunshine (tick), rather than going to the gym.

For now, I’m off to do a hair mask (tick) and face mask (tick) while hanging out the washing (tick).