I've tried and failed to use to-do lists off and on over many years. Now I'm using the ultra simple Reminders app that comes with iOS, and it's working for me. The only good thing about the app is the complete lack of features, and that it's with me always.

I only put down little things that I'm likely to forget. I give myself permission in advance not to do any of them at any specific time. But when I find myself with spare time and motivation, I always have a couple of things I can pick off the list. It's helped me get a lot more little things out of the way. The big things are another matter, but with fewer little things cluttering my brain…