How Motherhood Turned Me Into a List-Making Queen

Hey there mamas!

Let me start with a confession: I’ve always been busy. Like, really busy. Since I was 18, my life has been a whirlwind of responsibilities, deadlines, and dreams. I was juggling law school while working full-time as a bank clerk. Yes, full-time. At a branch. While studying the intricacies of constitutional law and civil codes.

After graduating, I dove straight into a Master’s, while at the same time, I was climbing the professional ladder at the bank. It was intense, but I loved the sense of purpose.

But here’s the twist: amidst all that, I was also trying to live my best life. I squeezed every drop out of my twenties—dinners with friends, whirlwind romances, spontaneous travels, and the occasional rock concert that left me sleep-deprived but smiling at my desk the next morning. I once studied for a penal law exam on a flight back from Morocco. True story.

And somewhere in that creative chaos, I got married. If you’ve ever attended a Greek wedding—or seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding—you’ll know it’s not just a day. It’s a year-long production, complete with family meetings, food tastings, dress fittings, and a guest list that somehow includes everyone you’ve ever met.

After the wedding, I added “housewife” to my resume. Mornings at the bank, afternoons at university, evenings managing a home. Still, I never used a planner. Everything was neatly filed away in my mind. I had a mental calendar that somehow never failed me.

Until… motherhood.

Just days after my first child was born, I met my new best friend: the list.

I had just wrapped up my Master’s degree and was stepping into a year of maternity leave. In theory, I’d be focusing solely on my baby. Sounds simpler than my previous life, right? I thought so too. But reality had other plans.

Suddenly, my brain—once a well-oiled machine—felt foggy. I was overwhelmed. Appointments with the pediatrician, breastfeeding schedules, pumping, sterilizing bottles, colic, postpartum emotions, hormones… and let’s not forget the sleepless nights. I spent the first few months in a haze, battling mastitis and trying to figure out how to feed a tiny human while keeping myself from falling apart.

That’s when I started writing things down. At first, my lists were purely survival tools: vaccine schedules, feeding logs, medicine doses, diaper bag essentials (because forgetting wipes is a rookie mistake I only made once). The lists helped me feel like I had some control in a world that suddenly felt unpredictable.

As time went on, and sleep became a distant memory, my lists evolved. They started including everyday tasks—pay the hydro bill, buy laundry detergent, text my cousin for her birthday. I didn’t trust my memory anymore. I was just too tired. (Still am, but that’s another story).

Eventually, my lists became my lifeline. They gave me peace of mind. If it was written down, it was out of my head. And if it was out of my head, I could breathe. Plus, I’ll admit—I get a little thrill from crossing things off. It’s like a mini celebration every time I complete a task. If you know, you know.

Fast forward twelve years and two more babies later and I’ve reached a whole new level of list-making mastery.

Every New Year’s Eve, I write a wish list—ten dreams or goals for the year ahead. I pour my heart into it, visualize them coming true, then tuck the list away in my agenda. A few months later, I revisit it, and it’s always a beautiful moment of reflection.

At the start of each month, I make a list of goals and important dates—birthdays, anniversaries, school events. Then come the weekly lists, breaking down tasks into manageable chunks. And of course, the daily lists, which I check and update multiple times a day. It’s like a living document, constantly evolving with the rhythm of our family life.

I’ve even started categorizing my lists:

• Finances: savings, bills, investments

• Medical: appointments, check-ups for all five of us

• School: weekly reminders for homework, projects, and events

• Wellness: fitness goals (because three babies later, I need all the motivation I can get!)

• Home: cleaning, cooking, organizing, decluttering

• Shopping & Travel: groceries, vacation prep, packing lists

And then there’s my “someday” list—things I’d love to buy or do when the time is right. Think new curtains, a cozy armchair, or new places/parks/restaurants/countries I would like to go.

Now, I won’t lie. There have been moments when I’ve wondered if I’ve taken this list-making thing a bit too far. Is it helping me stay sane, or is it just another source of pressure? But here’s what I’ve realized: it’s all about personality. For me, writing things down clears the mental clutter. It helps me feel organized, grounded, and in control—even when life throws curveballs (like a surprise fever or a forgotten school project).

And I’ve learned to be flexible. Plans change. Kids get sick. Life happens. The list isn’t a rigid set of rules—it’s a guide, a gentle nudge, a reminder that I’m doing my best. And when I don’t cross everything off? That’s okay too. I’ve learned to celebrate the wins, big and small, and give myself grace for the rest.

So, fellow mamas, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, maybe try making a list. Or don’t. Do what works for you. But if you do, know that you’re not alone—and that there’s something oddly magical about putting pen to paper and watching your day take shape!

Love, Katerina