your stupid little life hacks that make even a tiny difference

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dunno if it’s a life hack but someone told me park near the cart corral when DD was an infant, not near the door, and she’s 11 now and I still do this.
I make packed lunches at the same time I’m making dinner.only one prep and clean up.

I do this too, but also park far away from the store so I am usually alone. It is nice to unload my groceries without worrying about traffic, and takes like 30 seconds more. Plus steps!

I listen to audiobooks and podcasts while doing chores.

I also take five minutes here and there to sit down on the couch with my dog and snuggle. It makes me so much less stressed to take that time just to be with something that loves me unconditionally.

[Anonymous]

I make a point of keep closets and cabinets well organized. It's a momentary psychological boost when the house is cluttered and I go to put something away and see things orderly there. I also started rolling up underwear in my drawer some years ago and much easier to tell how many clean pair I have left.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last fall I started an arms workout. It takes under ten minutes, I do it three times a week, and the shape of my arms has changed. I use arm muscles now instead of straining my back.

Sounds awesome! Would you mind sharing the program that you use?

There's no specific program. It's like five different exercises I do one after another, and I do three sets of the whole routine.

NP - would love to hear what you do. I always get frustrated with arms workouts not making any difference

DP but try the Peloton 10 min arms and light weights.

[Anonymous]

OP I'm curious as to why you call these "stupid" and "dumb little" things?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I fold all clean clothes in the laundry room on top of the washer/dryer. Then I ask everyone to grab their clothes and put them away. It's such a small thing but when I used to put the clothes in hampers and take them to another room I always procrastinated on the folding part.

I don't meal plan everything but on Sundays I make high protein overnight oatmeals with fruit for 6 mornings a week. It means I don't have to worry about a meal first thing in the AM and the high protein gives me energy. I also try and make a veggie filled quiche every Sunday (I don't eat meat) because that and a side salad is a good protein-based lunch for 3 days or so.

Curious about the oatmeal. What makes it high protein?

Kodiak Oats +hemp hearts + chia seeds +nuts

[Anonymous]

Make the bed every day. Go to bed with everything back in it's place (no messes or piles left behind). If you do it daily, it really only takes 10 minutes to just power through and put everything back where it should be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make the bed every day. Go to bed with everything back in it's place (no messes or piles left behind). If you do it daily, it really only takes 10 minutes to just power through and put everything back where it should be.

NP- this is not true! My kids can trash a house so quickly that it will take a day to clean it all up. I spend probably 2 hours after they go to bed every night cleaning. My house is clean, but it's not a 10 min job. Sometimes I take a full day off work and do a massive deep clean. I actually think my kids are pretty clean, but they're all under 5.

My life hack is audio books. It *almost* feels like I'm sitting on my comfy couch watching TV while I'm cleaning and listening...almost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make the bed every day. Go to bed with everything back in it's place (no messes or piles left behind). If you do it daily, it really only takes 10 minutes to just power through and put everything back where it should be.

Studies say it is healthier to let you bed air all day...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last fall I started an arms workout. It takes under ten minutes, I do it three times a week, and the shape of my arms has changed. I use arm muscles now instead of straining my back.

Sounds awesome! Would you mind sharing the program that you use?

There's no specific program. It's like five different exercises I do one after another, and I do three sets of the whole routine.

NP - would love to hear what you do. I always get frustrated with arms workouts not making any difference

Okay I'll try to explain. I do ten reps of each, and three rounds, all using five pound weights. It takes just under ten minutes.
1. Hold a 5lb weight in each hand - elbows straight, lift arms out to the sides making sure to keep shoulders down and back, and lift to wingspan height 10x
2. Keeping shoulders down and back lift each weight up past 90 degree angle, curling in the front of your body 10x
3. Bend knees and lean over, bend elbows and extend arms back staying immobile aside from arm movement 10x
4. Put one weight down. Hold other by edge behind head with both hands, lower and raise 10x (be careful not to hit self in back of head)
5. Holding weights sideways, keeping shoulders down, raise arms forward to shoulder height w/ straight elbows 10x
6. Put one weight down. Sit on the edge of a seat, put elbow on edge of thigh, and curl one weight up and down slowly 10x

Now do the whole thing two more times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm curious as to why you call these "stupid" and "dumb little" things?

+1. OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I fold all clean clothes in the laundry room on top of the washer/dryer. Then I ask everyone to grab their clothes and put them away. It's such a small thing but when I used to put the clothes in hampers and take them to another room I always procrastinated on the folding part.

I don't meal plan everything but on Sundays I make high protein overnight oatmeals with fruit for 6 mornings a week. It means I don't have to worry about a meal first thing in the AM and the high protein gives me energy. I also try and make a veggie filled quiche every Sunday (I don't eat meat) because that and a side salad is a good protein-based lunch for 3 days or so.

I've been meaning to do this for months. Do you make the crust, or do you just buy it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a under $20 Mr coffee coffee maker that has an automatic on feature. Before I go to bed, I fill it with fresh water and a fresh filter and coffee, and then at 5:00 a.m. it switches on and I get up to a nice fresh pot of coffee! I love to open my eyes to the smell of coffee brewing.

+1 I LOVE waking up to freshly brewed coffee. Truly sparks joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last fall I started an arms workout. It takes under ten minutes, I do it three times a week, and the shape of my arms has changed. I use arm muscles now instead of straining my back.

Sounds awesome! Would you mind sharing the program that you use?

There's no specific program. It's like five different exercises I do one after another, and I do three sets of the whole routine.

NP - would love to hear what you do. I always get frustrated with arms workouts not making any difference

DP but try the Peloton 10 min arms and light weights.

Not PP, but thank you. I want to try this.

[Anonymous]

Sock rings! A little plastic ring that you pull a pair of socks through, throw it in the washer and dryer and no need to put pairs together.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP I'm curious as to why you call these "stupid" and "dumb little" things?

+1. OP?

Meh, leave OP alone. They started a great thread.