Thoughts & Things

Five Reasons I Love Lists

I genuinely think making lists is an absolute blast. Anyone who has read multiple of my blog posts has likely begun to notice this trend in my writing. Lists are fun to make, fun to read, and make things so much easier to enjoy and understand. I am here to explain my own personal reasons for enjoying lists!

1. They are organised.
Lists are a great way to organise thoughts into a cohesive manner. Sometimes it can feel like my thoughts are scattered, and regardless of what I am listing, lists allow me to organise those thoughts into a way that makes sense. Making a list of groceries is an organised way not to forget what to buy. Making a to do list allows you to organise your day. Making a list of films or books or ideas or anything at all is a way to organise those thoughts into a way that is visually pleasing. While a list can be disorganised to a certain degree, putting numbers to something is certainly a good way to maximise organisation.

2. They make for a great introduction.
Regardless of the topic you are reading or writing about, doing it in list form can make topics accessible to beginners. Whether it is a list of instructions, a list of items to start with, or a list of topics to consider, one of the best ways to absorb new information is often in list format, where it is laid out in a simple format. Even a more complicated topic can be broken down into list format

3. They are easy to understand.
The purpose of a list is made clear in its heading, and the items that need to be understood are generally highlighted in some manner. For example, this list is meant to show ways that a list can be beneficial, which is noted in the title, and the points made are all numbered and bolded. Because of their organised and introductory style, lists are presented in a way that is easily understood.

4. They allow me to compile or discover items based on themes.
This is one of my favourite things about lists. Lists of facts can be incredibly educational and enjoyable. Lists of media can allow me to share or discover new books, films, albums, television shows, etc. Lists are an accessible way to share and receive new ideas, knowledge, or media suggestions based around a specific theme, genre, thought, etc. that links all of them together. Themed lists make learning easier, and they make sharing hobbies straightforward. Some of the best new media I've been exposed to has been via lists, and some of the most interesting knowledge I've received has been through lists. I am always happy to share those experiences with others.

5. They allow for things to be ranked.
Whether you're ranking world leaders, pop songs, or types of lettuce, the list format allows for ranking to be done as efficiently as possible. While not all lists are ranked (for example, this list happens to be presented in no particular order, rather than in the order I most prefer to create and read lists), all rankings are lists. Sometimes it is just a joy to present the order you prefer a particular set of things, and sometimes it is interesting to see in what order others prefer those things.