It could be seen as being lazy or you could class me as efficient. Either way there are some great habits that we can all do to make life that little bit easier. These habits are ideas for being more efficient, saving you time and energy, which could be directed elsewhere. Some of these I have been doing due to being a single parent, some for financial reasons and others due to developing chronic fatigue. But no matter the reason, these habits will help you have a simple intentional life.
Morning and bedtime routines
One way I reduce my thinking time is by having automated morning and bedtime routines. These are often quite simple, but happen in the same order every day. This makes it easier to remember to do things and helps me to feel on top of things. My bedtime routine, in particular, includes tidying the living room and clearing away the sides in the kitchen. This helps me to have a clean start the following day.
Everything has a home
One thing that used to frustrate me and take up time was trying to find things or tidy things away. It became another job to do. The answer, making sure everything has a clear, designated home to live. That home needs to be centred around where the item is used, as well as being with like-minded items. It makes it so much easier to tidy up as there is only one place, for example, where the cables live and that will be right near where I have been using them.
Calendar app
I used to be a paper diary kinda gal, but have completely transitioned to my calendar app. This is the only way I can stay organised. Any event, catch up or meal out is put in the diary. If you have a larger family you could have a shared calendar so that you can easily see what everyone is doing to avoid double booking.
Meal prep
Meal prepping is such a great time saver for me. This is combined with a lot of batch cooking too. Why spend every day cooking lunch when you can make a batch at the beginning of the week and just reheat. It saves money on your energy bills, and frees up valuable time. This is definitely a cheaper way to cook.
1 in 2 out policy
Traditionally I have always suggested a 1 in 1 out policy when it comes to maintaining the clutter in your home. But if you are still trying to declutter then the 1 in 2 out policy will give you a little extra declutter whenever you bring something new into the home. Remember to declutter likeminded items.
Automate bills
Worrying about bills is a thing of the past for me. Within 5 days of pay day (I’m talking monthly pay here) all of my main bills are paid. This means that I have no opportunity to overspend and not have enough for bills, as it is already taken care of. Any left over money is then free to do as I wish. Try and schedule direct debits to come out soon after pay day.
Capsule wardrobe
Deciding what to wear can be exhausting for me. Trying to remember what goes with what and whether it will be warm enough can be added thinking for me in the morning. I am working hard to reduce down my capsule wardrobe so that it represents my style as well as being easy to mix and match items together. Having less choice makes it easier to see what I have and what would work for an outfit.
Same makeup routine
I have a very simple make up routine. This makes it easy to know when I need to replace items and what to buy. I just keep an eye out for the same products each time for when they are on offer.
One space dedicated to a category
Having just one dedicated space for a category of items can make it much easier to see what you have, as well as making it easier to tidy and find things. For example, you could have a selection of cables dotted around the house, making it hard to find the one you are looking for, but if you have a designated drawer or basket for them, you would be able to locate it quicker. This makes it easier to see everything you have and know where things are.
Time blocking
For productivity, I swear by time blocking. Time blocking helps me to make each to do item a priority and have allocated time dedicated to completing it. Without it I find that I am less productive and can easily get distracted. I need to focus in and short bursts of time blocked out for a specific task can make things more likely to happen.
Same wake up/bed time
Having a good body clock can make it much easier to maintain good sleep levels. This has particularly been important since developing chronic fatigue. I need a similar wake and bed time in order to maintain my energy levels. It will be rare for me to have a lay in or stay up late. It means that I naturally wake up before my alarm clock and gives me a moment to gently wake.
Saying no
I have always been a people pleaser. But these days I am all about prioritising what’s best for me and my family. I make the calls regarding what I am willing to take on and spend time energy or money on. If it doesn’t align with me then I am happy to say no.
Containing items
Containing items within baskets, drawers or trays has made life so much easier for me. I use it to hold recycling, for food in harder to reach shelves, for my hair styling tools/products. It hides the visual clutter without removing anything, as well as making things more accessible. I use trays to contain things within drawers, such as make up or utensils. This stops things from moving around and getting muddled, so keeps that organisation in place.
Let me know which habits you are going to put in place to make life easier for you. If you have any of your own tips, leave a comment below.
Rachel, Declutter Your Life X
For more information check out my youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelNoakes
For more information, check out this post: https://declutteryourlife.co.uk/decluttering/november-little-acts-of-decluttering/
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