The Checklist
A practical, evolving guide to help you assess and improve the areas of life that most affect your peace and well-being.
This is not a test, and it is not a project to complete. The Conscious Living Checklist is a living document — a way of looking honestly at your life and noticing where things feel clear, where they feel cluttered, and where a small shift might bring more peace.
Go through the list and check off anything that's true for you or that will never be true for you (because you know you don't want to do it or can't do it or it just isn't relevant).
Once you have gone through the entire list, identify those items you didn’t check off that you’d like to prioritize working on to create the conscious life you want to live. As it is an ongoing project, look at unchecked items as opportunities.
Remember, you are starting where you are starting and you are doing great just to be aware of what you’d like to change.
Move through it at your own pace. Return to it when seasons change. Use it on your own, or in conversation with someone you trust. There is no right way.
Section: Explore By Area of Life
Click any section to expand the items.
My Spaces
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” — William Morris
- My refrigerator and freezer are organized and I know what is in them
- My car is in good condition
- I have the accessories I need for my car, know how to use them and they are in good working order
- My files, both digital and physical, are neatly stored (cloud or external drive), I have a reason for keeping them and a reliable way to retrieve important items
- I know what is in my closets and drawers, they are neat and organized. (If not, start with what bothers you most)
- I know what is in my online files, they are neatly filed
- I only hold on to physical and digital photos I wish to keep
- I have a routine/process/schedule to maintain order in my home and on my computer
- My home is neat, orderly, clean and comfortable
- My appliances and household equipment are in good working order
- My clothes are clean, neatly stored, comfortable and I like them.
- My plants and pets are healthy and loved
- My bed/bedroom lets me have the best sleep possible (quiet, comfortable/supportive bed, darkness, cool air)
- My home is a place I love to be
- I am happy and/or at peace with my choice of living location
- If I don’t have ample natural light where I live, I use mirrors, paint, lights, etc.
- I do not tolerate anything I find unacceptable about my home
- My work environment is practical, ergonomically supportive, clean and ready with reliable tools and resources available
- I surround myself with music if it makes my life more enjoyable.
- I make my bed every day
- There is ample room to move without bumping into things
- I feel comfortable having visitors in my home
- I donate unwanted items to charity
- I have nothing around the house or in storage that I do not need.
- I have a system to deal with daily mail, both physical and electronic
- My reading materials, both physical and digital (books, magazines, newsletters), aren’t overwhelming me.
- I have a routine for changing filters in my home (water, AC, Air purifiers)
Medical
“The greatest wealth is health.” — Virgil
- I brush and floss daily and see a dentist for regular checkups
- My basic labs and vitals are checked regularly and I follow-up when recommended
- I have had an eye exam within the past year.
- I wear UV protected glasses, use sunblock (or shade myself) and have my skin checked annually
- I have a reliable system to manage my medications
- I take sufficient precautions to protect my health, being careful not to overdo it
- If I notice any troublesome physical changes, such as hearing loss, I promptly get them checked.
- I know how to use the 5 and 5 Heimlich maneuver (five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts) on others and modified versions on myself and pets
- I know how to use the Emergency SOS feature on my phone
- I know the warning signs and symptoms of heart attacks and strokes
- I know the location of the closest stroke center or will call 911
- I care for my aging brain with intellectual stimulation, movement and social activities
- I keep an up-to-date emergency contacts list both at home (in a visible but discreet place where it includes a symbol for emergency info) and with me (wallet/phone)
- I have a system for keeping track of my prescription meds
- I have checked my medications to make sure they are safe for people over 65 using the Beers Criteria
My Body
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” — Jim Rohn
- I slow down regularly and listen to the needs of my body
- I am happy with the way I eat
- I don’t have an excessive intake of caffeine (chocolate, coffee, cola, tea, energy drinks)
- I don’t have an excessive intake of alcohol, recreational drugs or tobacco products
- I don’t eat an excessive amount of sugar or processed foods
- I am comfortable with the amount of salt, sugar and preservatives in the foods I eat
- I stay well hydrated
- My fingernails and toenails are well-maintained
- I am happy with my weight
- I am happy with my hair
- I attend to my body’s needs
- I have a regular exercise program which includes aerobic and weight-bearing activities
- I have a regular physical balance practice
- My illness(es) do(es) not define me
- If I notice I’m focusing on what doesn’t work or what hurts in my body, I consciously shift my focus to what works and for what I am grateful
- I accept my aging body with dignity and grace
- I am aware of my changing physical abilities and adjust as necessary
- I am aware of my body, mindful of what’s normal for me and investigate when something is off
- I get regular, restorative sleep, to the best of my ability and do not stress myself out when I can’t sleep
Financial · Legal · Civic
“Leave the situation, change the situation, or accept it. All else is madness.” — Eckhart Tolle
- I monitor my subscriptions: digital, insurance, etc. and want to keep them
- I have a financial plan: knowing how much I need for my home, groceries, gas, medical, travel, etc. and how much I have: how it’s invested and how to get to it
- I have a reliable income stream
- I have a safety net of liquid assets in an appreciating account
- I am in compliance with the law and any agreements I have signed
- I have an up-to-date will and/or Living Trust which includes gifts to those I want to recognize such as family, friends, household employees
- I have, or have decided I do not want, a DNR, Living Will or Advance Directive
- I have Power of Attorney documents: Medical, Financial and Alternate in case the first isn’t available
- I have a User Name and Password document, physical or digital, and my executor knows how to access it
- I have completed a Disposition of Remains Form (traditional, green burial, cremation, organ donor, body farm, body donation, etc.) or am comfortable leaving the decision to my heirs
- I have adequate insurance on my assets and life or am comfortable with self insurance
- I vote
- I follow these five Rs of environmental responsibility to the best of my ability: Refuse, Reuse, Repair, Reduce and Recycle.
- For end-of-life (EOL) documents I have prepared a Legacy Drawer or I have I’m Dead, Now What Organizer (or similar EOL doc list) to direct me with collecting documents
- I have included instructions and financial support for the care of my pets in my will, Living Trust or Pet Trust
- I have given a set of keys, the alarm code, etc. to someone I trust
- I have set up Legacy Contacts on my phone
- If I need someone to handle or be ready to handle financial or health decisions for me I have Declaration of permission or HIPAA Authorization for trusted friend or family member
- I review beneficiaries on my accounts annually and update estate documents every 3–5 years or after major life changes
- I have told everyone and given EOL documents (including wishes) to everyone who will need to know and I trust
- When updating or creating EOL documents, I draw a line through and initial those I want to remain blank
Technology
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”— Anne Lamott
- I manage the time I spend on my phone, iPad, computer, consciously choosing what and how much TV, streaming, news, games, and social media I consume
- I have a calendar system that serves me well.
- My remotes, hearing aids, etc. have homes and I know how to use them
- I have disabled notifications so that I only receive those which are important to me
- I am satisfied with my understanding of how to use the technology on my phone, car, smart tv and household appliances
- My online data and contacts are organized.
- Everything I have saved on my devices is intentional and needed.
- I have a password manager I know how to use and know what steps to take when a password is breached
- I have a device, such as an app, AirTag or watch to find my phone
- I back up important data and photos while being mindful of digital clutter and the environmental cost of storing unnecessary files
Spiritual
“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.” — Joseph Campbell
- I have a vision for what I want my life to look like or I’m living it now
- I practice self-acceptance, knowing I am imperfect, on a journey and allowed to be a work-in-progress.
- I know pain is inevitable and suffering is optional and have tools to prevent suffering
- I am comfortable with my beliefs about death
- I do not spend mental energy railing against or complaining about reality / circumstances
- In each moment, I am intentional about how I live.
- In each moment I practice what is most important to me
- I am not defined by my physical circumstances (weight, health, possessions), but rather by my understanding of why I am here
- I know I create the story I tell about myself. I have written it with compassion where I am not a victim, I am a conscious creator of my life
- I practice mindfulness in ways that work for me
- I nurture what I want to be true for me
- I am worthy and my worth is independent of external factors (possessions, people, etc.)
- I am loved
- I have a place, internal or external or both, where I go for spiritual sustenance, growth, hope and peace
- I am authentic, living my life in alignment with my values
- I practice random and anonymous acts of kindness
- I seek community and connection
- I emphasize experiences rather than material possessions
- I have a Spiritual First Aid Kit
- I am comfortable with silence and listen to others
- I give to my community either financially or through volunteer work
- I know how to quiet myself and connect to my own wisdom
- I believe there is a power (Source, God, Spirit) through which all living beings are connected
- I notice when I judge anything or anyone, and either use it as a learning experience or label the thought as a “judgment” and let it go
- I am enough
- I love my life
- I love myself
- I pause often to notice the present moment, using daily cues (meals, transitions, nature, etc.) as reminders
Well-Being
“A beautiful life is not stumbled upon, it is built. It is chosen. It is nurtured over the years.”— Brianna Wiest
- I regularly connect to nature
- I know my wants and needs and have a plan to meet them
- I have reasonable expectations and limit my to-do list so I can complete it and feel satisfied
- I take responsibility for my emotions, and for how I respond to them
- I make time to recharge and recreate with activities or hobbies that bring me joy
- I take responsibility for my sexual health
- I’m committed to learning new things regularly, to discovery and development
- I do my best to be mindful, aware of what I feel, of what I’m doing and why I’m doing it
- I use judgement for what works in my life, not trying to be someone I’m not
- I manage expectations so they don’t limit me or cause me to suffer
- When people ask me, “What do you do?” I am comfortable with my answer.
- When my plan doesn’t materialize, I am comfortable and flexible. I have a method for regrouping
- I do not reject any part of myself
- I regularly include things in my life that bring me peace such as time in nature, music, crafts, writing, reading, solitude, friends
- I cultivate my creativity
- I no longer say, “Someday I’ll _______.” Now I do it, plan it or let it go
- If it’s important to me, I have written my obituary and update it annually
- If it’s important to me, I’ve planned my funeral
- I know my priorities and let them guide my choices and focus
- I have let go of what doesn’t serve me: old habits, grudges, or commitments that no longer align with my well-being.
- I know who I am, I’ve shaped my life so it fits me.
Relationships
“It helps to share our journey with others, because in so doing we become a chorus of voices, and the stress of going solo lessens once we discover that we are not alone.”— Mark Nepo
- I regularly tell my family and friends I love them
- I spend time with people who accept me as I am
- I understand what others say and do has nothing to do with me
- I meet people where they are, not expecting them to be different
- I am centered within myself so that I do not need others to make me feel good about myself
- I choose relationships that nourish the deepest parts of me, no longer spending time with people who don’t support or enrich my life
- I am up-to-date with emails, texts and phone calls
- When it is appropriate, I ask others to help me meet my wants and needs
- When with others, I respect myself, remaining true to who I am, my behavior aligns with my beliefs
- I celebrate others’ successes without comparison.
- I am open to new connections.
- If I did something to someone in the past that weighs on me with regret, guilt or sorrow I have taken steps to deal with this in the best way for me such as making amends or doing grief work
- Instead of complaining, I ask for what I want / need
- I know where or who I can turn to for help with any issues
- I would be comfortable running into anyone I know
- I don’t talk maliciously about others. If someone behaves in a manner I dislike, I ask for them to change or I accept it
- If I harbor resentment for something someone has done to me, for my inner peace I either forgive them, knowing they did the best they could or knew no better, or accept that it happened.
- People can count on me to keep my word
- When misunderstandings occur I fix them quickly
- If I died today, my friends and family would know how I feel about them, what I appreciate about them
- I am comfortable saying “No”