Menu plan - this is a game changer. One weekend day I look through the fridge and see what ingredients we have - I cook 4 nights a week, eat leftovers for one, and eat out/ take out for the other 2. The whole family goes out to dinner together then we food shop- they help carry and unpack everything so it's not so bad. When we have plans outside the city - we shop at suburban grocers on the way back in town. The insane grocery store crowds are always gone by 8PM Sunday and Saturday night. I do like to cook/food prep though so there's that.
I also believe in having a place for everything in the house - that way things won't pile up. You have to create a space for things to land. It's so much easier to clean that way.
You should try the PlanToEat app, it's so great for menu planning and shopping. I don't use it much except for big dinners (like Thanksgiving), but it is really well designed.
Try to hang up clothes as soon as they're done (drying, etc). Arrange tomorrow's clothes, including workout clothes, the night before. At least seasonally, rotate clothes in the closet and put the out of season clothes on side or upper shelves. donate whatever I'm not wearing enough to justify it taking up so much space. turning over the wardrobe exercise can take HOuRS but it is well worth it.
I do this- I LOVE doing this - I call it wardrobe auditing - I do it during each season change - I discard what I never wore/is getting old, make note of what I may need to round out my clothes and then, have that glorious time to shop for myself. I just got wide leg higher waisted black pants for work and more casual work at home pants - all set for Fall - next stop - January :)
I have cleaning supplies in every bathroom cabinet so I can quickly do a 5 minute clean. I immediately recycle mail as it comes in so that I don't have a giant pile accumulate. I make sure there is a place for everything in labeled containers and everyone in the family knows where it is. Batteries, flashlights, etc. all have their own clear containers.
I’m not into gurus, but I read a lot about psychology, and it’s actually helped me. For example, all the research about mono tasking being more effective than multitasking. I’ve gotten a lot of good tips from the NYTimes section of Happier Living. I’m the kind of person where information helps me make different choices which ultimately improve my life. I also enjoy research and crowdsourcing. YMMV
You probably are a naturally organized and highly efficient person. I have friends like that. The reason some of us seek advice and need to "waste time" on self help is, because we really need practical advice on how to optimize our time and systems.
If anyone has read any books that have helpful tips, I’d love suggestions or really any stories of having made positive changes in your life. I’ve already read Marie Kondo
I always liked these threads on UB. I’ll say I’ve really started to try and not procrastinate and just do the annoying task the first time I think of it. I always knew that it would take up less emotional space this way, but it’s still hard to implement, but lately I’ve been doing a better job of it. I will say it feels so much better. I’ve also read advice about doing all the tasks that take a minute or less like hanging up a shirt, tidying the counter etc and that has also made a difference.
One in, one out rule. With everything
Menu plan - this is a game changer. One weekend day I look through the fridge and see what ingredients we have - I cook 4 nights a week, eat leftovers for one, and eat out/ take out for the other 2. The whole family goes out to dinner together then we food shop- they help carry and unpack everything so it's not so bad. When we have plans outside the city - we shop at suburban grocers on the way back in town. The insane grocery store crowds are always gone by 8PM Sunday and Saturday night. I do like to cook/food prep though so there's that.
I also believe in having a place for everything in the house - that way things won't pile up. You have to create a space for things to land. It's so much easier to clean that way.
Evertyime I use either the blender or the microwave I do pushups. I'm getting better at them, little by little.
Rent the runway, I have a lot less clothes, don’t have to purge as much. Purge kids clothes 2x a year, toys all the time, be ruthless,
Have less stuff. Purge often.
I set up the coffee maker the night before (we have one that grinds the beans and then brews) so that it's ready when I get up.
Try to hang up clothes as soon as they're done (drying, etc). Arrange tomorrow's clothes, including workout clothes, the night before. At least seasonally, rotate clothes in the closet and put the out of season clothes on side or upper shelves. donate whatever I'm not wearing enough to justify it taking up so much space. turning over the wardrobe exercise can take HOuRS but it is well worth it.
I have cleaning supplies in every bathroom cabinet so I can quickly do a 5 minute clean. I immediately recycle mail as it comes in so that I don't have a giant pile accumulate. I make sure there is a place for everything in labeled containers and everyone in the family knows where it is. Batteries, flashlights, etc. all have their own clear containers.
Hmmm...well, I just do things instead of crowdsourcing for tips. reading self-help crap, seeking out gurus. Just saying--this stuff takes time.
If anyone has read any books that have helpful tips, I’d love suggestions or really any stories of having made positive changes in your life. I’ve already read Marie Kondo
I always liked these threads on UB. I’ll say I’ve really started to try and not procrastinate and just do the annoying task the first time I think of it. I always knew that it would take up less emotional space this way, but it’s still hard to implement, but lately I’ve been doing a better job of it. I will say it feels so much better. I’ve also read advice about doing all the tasks that take a minute or less like hanging up a shirt, tidying the counter etc and that has also made a difference.