As mentioned, I plan to do two “Left Over” installments each month. The goal was to do this on Sundays… but, I got behind. This was intended for the last Sunday in August. On Left Overs, one Sunday will feature a leftover “meal” story that is important, but maybe was more like an idea or doesn’t really have a recipe attached it. Not true “essay worthy,” but is still worth sharing. The other will be a quick bite of actual advice.
As I have already shared, the “What I Know” essay’s are not “advice.” They are stories from my life where I learned something or noticed something that I believe is worth sharing because maybe you can glean something helpful in it for your own life. Or, maybe it can help bring to life moments that taught you lessons in your own life. As the reader, you get to determine when something is just is a nice story or what might actually be helpful to you.
With these advice leftovers you should practice the same self awareness. But maybe also keep an open mind because this is when I will be sharing really tangible things that are helping me in real time.
In real time, it is now September. September is synonymous with back to school and new routines. I get New Year vibes from this time of year and find myself considering new processes in our life and home. A lot of, “We are going to get organized!,” “We are going to simplify!,” and “We are going to be on it!” roll through my mind and leave me looking for all the life hacks.
One of the best books I have found on “life hacks” is The Lazy Genius Way. Author and creator, Kendra Adachi, has complied her principles on determining what matters to you and presented them in an easy to digest and implement way. This book has stayed with me for years and these principles have legs, growing to help me more and more as I stretch my “lazy genius” muscles. One of these principles that I revisit over and over is “Ask the Magic Question” which is “What can I do now that will make life easier later?”
Here is the thing… in this question, we are not talking, like, investing or getting control of your health. (Though good for future you and not bad advice.) These are small things and often “later” here can be as soon as the next 24, 12, even couple of hours.
So in the spirit of new routines and getting life in order, here are some of the things I do– often daily– that make future me very grateful I did. Little “Life Hacks,” if you will.
- Program and prepare the coffee maker the night before: So simple, but having coffee ready to go in the morning is not just helpful, but feels like a bit of a treat.
- Make the bed: I do it every morning. I am one of those people. But, I love, and almost require, the moment at the end of the day when I get into a bed that just feels fresh and ready for me to relax and recharge in it.
- Go to bed: Stop scrolling, don’t watch another episode, and don’t make another drink.
- On that thread, if out and over the age of 25, don’t order another drink. Get water or even a Diet Coke. Or, go home to go to bed. If under 25: Get another drink, flirt with the DJ, and enjoy your youth!
- Get Gas the night before: Just do it. You know what you are in for if you don’t.
- Run the dishwasher and do laundry– if not daily– often. Don’t wait until you have a mountain of plates or you are out of socks.
- Learn to Meal Plan- Plan out your week, decide once, and shop once.
- Go for a walk.
- Take a shower.
- Make out with your partner.
Feeling Good? Here are a few bigger ones that may take a weekend to set up, but are so helpful:
- Organize Your addresses
- Curate your social media feeds– You can “hide” people you don’t necessarily care to see and unfollow brands, influencers, or celebs that are no longer serving you.
- Take the pile of stuff you don’t use to a shelter
- Call a loved one and catch up
- Back up pictures, print a memory book, and keep taking lots and lots of photos. Future you will be so thankful.
What are your little life hacks?
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