I’m a bit to-do list obsessed. Notebooks, sticky notes, my planner, and calendar are all filled with seemingly endless tasks, from work projects and personal writing to chores and appointments to schedule. Even self-care ends up on the to-do list because if I don’t put it on there, I’ll likely forget to do it. I’ve been this way as long as I can remember, and often it makes me feel stressed and burnt out, always focusing on the million things I have to do. 

I’ll never forget in college when I read about an idea that seemed radical to me at the time: Instead of just creating a to-do list every day, create a “ta-da list” as well. A to-do list is an account of what needs to be done, but a ta-da list is an account of everything you’ve already done. 

This is a great daily practice, though admittedly, I don’t often do it every day anymore. However, I do sit down and take time to create a ta-da list at the beginning of the year, noting all of the things I accomplished last year and am proud of myself for doing. Ta-da lists are kind of like the Spotify Wrapped of everything good that happened to you throughout the last twelve months. It reminds us of what we are capable of, and helps us feel grounded and present as we begin the new year. 

“Ta-da lists are kind of like the Spotify Wrapped of everything good that happened to you throughout the last twelve months.”

Reflecting on this past year, my ta-da list includes things like quitting my 9-5 and switching to freelance full-time, getting married, and traveling to places I’ve always wanted to go. But it’s also things like making new friends, and taking up pottery and knitting. It’s learning to allow myself — no, require that I give myself — time to rest every day. It’s carving out time to write my novel. It’s all the time I spent dancing in the living room. It’s all the little moments people complimented me and all the times I got to lift others up. 

Focusing on all of those good, proud, wonderful moments from the year reminds us that we’re living our best life now and helps us treat the small things with real appreciation.

What is a ta-da list?

Simply put, a ta-da list is a physical list of all of your achievements of the day (or week, month, or year). Things you’re proud of, tasks you’ve completed, little wins, even chores you’ve been procrastinating but finally finished. You can also use it to appreciate the progress of a larger project — like writing a novel or doing a home renovation. That’s what Gretchen Rubin, the author and podcast host who popularized the term, recommends using it for. 

“A ta-da list is a physical list of all of your achievements of the day (or week, month, or year).”

You can create ta-da lists as often or as little as you want. Jot it down as part of your daily journal practice, add a list directly next to your to-do list, or put it in a section of your planner. You could even keep a running ta-da list in your phone, if you want something to look back on when you need a bit of inspiration and a reminder that you can do hard things. 

I love to create a ta-da list to  frame my upcoming year by looking back at the past year’s achievements and accomplishments all in one place. It feels so good to write down the things that I did do, instead of always writing down the things I haven’t done (yet). It helps me feel like I can accomplish my goals for the future, because I’m looking at this huge list of things I’ve already done. 

How to create a ta-da list

For a daily ta-da list, jot down a few things from the day that you completed, achieved, or are proud of. These can be everything from finally folding your laundry to getting a new job or client. Doing this as a daily ritual could be just writing down a few quick ideas to create a small moment of mindfulness in your day. 

“Doing this as a daily ritual could be just writing down a few quick ideas to create a small moment of mindfulness in your day.”

To create a ta-da list for your year, it can be a bit more in-depth. I love the idea of sitting down with a warm drink, cozying up with your favorite notebook and pen, and settling in to do this new year reflection. Start by clearing your mind, and settling into your space. 

List all of the things that you’ve accomplished, big or small, last year. You can make this as long or as short as you’d like, but I recommend using this time to really reflect on all of the highlights from your year. 

If you’re not sure where to begin in creating your big new year ta-da list, here are some prompts to help you get started:

  1. What am I most proud of for accomplishing this past year? 
  2. What goals did I set at the beginning of last year that I completed?
  3. What is something I wasn’t planning on doing last year that ended up being a wonderful surprise?
  4. What was my favorite moment of the past year?
  5. What were the best little moments that brought me joy?
  6. When last year did I feel unapologetically like myself?
  7. What were some of the best compliments I received last year?
  8. What is one little task that I was really on top of last year?

How to use your ta-da list

After you’ve created your ta-da list, take a moment to sit with all of the things you’ve done. Tell yourself you’re proud of your accomplishments. Take a deep breath and sit with gratitude for the beautiful life you’re actively living now. All of these little moments, these little accomplishments, are proof that you’re living, doing, creating — and you should be proud of yourself. 

“Take a deep breath and sit with gratitude for the beautiful life you’re actively living now.”

For a daily ta-da list, you might never look at it again after jotting it down. And that’s okay. Use it as a moment to take a break from the million things you have to do that day, a moment to breathe and appreciate yourself. Weekly and monthly ta-da lists might feel a bit more permanent; you might enjoy looking back at all of these at the end of the year to see all of the highlights from throughout. 

For your yearly list, I recommend saving this somewhere easy to access. Put it somewhere visible as a reminder of everything you can be proud of when you’re doubting yourself and in need of a confidence boost. 

I love this exercise because it reminds me that even when we feel behind, even when we feel like our to-do list is neverending, there is always, always something to be proud of ourselves for. And when you feel overwhelmed and need a reminder of your greatness, pull this list out and look at it. Remind yourself of how incredible you are and how much you can do in just one year. 

“When you feel overwhelmed and need a reminder of your greatness, pull this list out and look at it.”

There are often times when I find myself feeling behind, or wishing I was further ahead in my career, my creative projects, my life in general. But looking back at how much I can do in a single year, a single month, even a single day, is really powerful. It reminds me that I am living, doing, achieving, even when I take time to rest, even when I let myself take breaks, even when I don’t feel like I am. 

Brianna Schubert is a writer and editor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade, an editorial assistant at Motley Bloom, and a freelance writer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or yapping with her friends at a café. Say hi on Instagram!