25 Ways to Make Life Easier + Printable Checklist

Life isn’t always simple. Ultimately, we all experience highs, lows, and straight up messy times. You may even feel like you’re going through a funk, but can’t exactly figure out why you’re down. During moments like this, it’s a good idea to have reliable ways to make life easier. Maintaining a routine can be really beneficial, especially when you’re stressed. ☁️

At times, my anxiety makes it hard for me to deal with incoming stressors. On top of that, I’m quite sensitive, so an extra workload or a sudden change can shake me up. It’s never been easy for me to make decisions during messier times. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t found my own little rituals to simplify life.

Some calming techniques that clear my mind are journaling, mindfulness, and blogging.  They all have this way of bringing me a sense of normalcy when I’m going through a difficult period.

It’s all about those little things in life that provide you with a feeling of comfort and reliability.

Here are 25 ways to make life easier and a checklist for you to print out!  💛

25 Tips to Make Life Easier

1. Buy a planner.

One of the best ways to get organized is to buy an agenda. Keeping one helps you simplify your schedule and put everything down in writing. For this reason, it’s much easier to manage your time. You can color coordinate different slots for work, meetings, events, travel, and more! Many agendas come with helpful stickers to highlight various parts of your week.

Weekly Planner

2. Declutter your space.

Things always seem a little bit better after a good tidying up session. It isn’t easy to have a productive day if you’re feeling bogged down by your space. Even 5-minute routines help like loading the dishwasher before bed, organizing your desk, or making the bed. Your brain will feel less foggy after taking the time to declutter your space.

I recommended checking out cleaning checklists like this helpful one from Etsy. The seller organized the checklist by daily, weekly, and monthly sections!

3. Set aside time for yourself.

No matter what, make sure you’re setting enough time for yourself. We all need space to decompress from the day. Even taking a small walk or doing a few breathing exercises is super effective. Also, think about some calming hobbies outside of your regular schedule that you enjoy. Maybe it’s gardening, painting, or playing the guitar!

4. Keep a recipe box.

When things get stressful, it’s a good idea to have a few go-to recipes. Search for meals that are quick, easy, and reliable. This strategy comes in handy if you have a lot of other things on your mind. Once you’ve tested out a few, you can start your own at-home recipe book!

Heart&Berry Recipe Box

A few of my favorite simple recipes:

• Chicken Spaghetti
• One Sheet Pan Chicken & Potatoes
• Easy Slow Cooker Lasagna

5. Exercise.

Another great way to make life easier is by having a consistent workout routine. Do what you can to lock down a fitness plan that makes you feel good. There’s something relaxing about taking time out of your day to get your body moving and active!

One of my favorite ways to exercise is by following dance or yoga classes on YouTube. I’ve also been loving cool down routines like this 15-minute stretch. I’m not flexible by any means, but I try my best!

6. Listen to inspiring podcasts.

Listening to podcasts is a wonderful way to inspire you. Here are 15 Top Motivational Podcasts! 🎧

7. Organize your desktop.

If your mind is feeling a bit scattered, consider clearing out your desktop. Since a lot of our tasks are online, things can get quite messy. Clear out old files you don’t need anymore and organize the stuff you do use in folders!

Desk Organizer

8. Automate things.

One of the most effective ways to simplify your life is by automating mundane tasks. It’s a helpful tactic to save energy throughout the day.

Just a few things you can automate:

• Bills & payments
• Appointments
• Your cleaning routine
• Email messages
• Grocery shopping

Personally, one of the best things I’ve done is to automate my student loans. It’s easier for me to keep track of my repayment plan now because I know exactly when to expect withdrawals. I am better able to prepare for other financial decisions during the month. It still sucks seeing that much money coming out every month, but it’s much less mentally draining!

9. Clear out your inbox.

I recommend Unroll Me to help you filter through emails and clean up your inbox!

10. Keep your water bottle near you.

Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial. At the same time, it’s easy to forget to drink enough water if you’re feeling swamped. To help this issue, I suggest getting a water bottle with a time marker. Managing your water intake is so much easier that way!

11. Learn how to time block.

Time blocking is a useful tool that helps you sectionalize your day. The idea is to block out times for daily activities, so that you have more control over your to-do list. Here are some fantastic time blocking tips!

12. Go paperless.

You’ll save so much time and hassle by going paperless! It’s better for the environment and much more convenient. You can reduce paper waste by requesting e-statements, paying bills online, and opting out of junk mail lists.

13. Have a “spot” for important items.

You’re stepping out the door, but can’t seem to find your keys anywhere. Then you have to stop everything just to spot them somewhere deep in your couch 30 minutes later. UGH. Personally, this scenario has happened to me way too many times!

I find that having a “home” for everything makes a huge difference! It’s as simple as using a key cabinet, keeping important documents in a designated spot, etc.

14. Spend time outdoors.

Sometimes, we all need to “pause” after a busy day. Spending time in nature can bring you clarity when thoughts are running through your brain. Step outside for fresh air, take a walk to the park, water your plants….do what you can to get outdoors for a while! ☀️

15. Use self-care apps.

If you’re scrolling through your phone, it’s a nice idea to download a few self care apps. They’ll be a good reminder to slow things down and relax, even just for a little while!

This article has some great self-care app recommendations.

16. Plan your budget.

Figuring out your budget can really help bring you peace of mind. I’ve noticed it helps a lot to plan things by a monthly basis. You can sectionalize earnings, bills, expenses, savings, and miscellaneous. My partner and I find that Google Spreadsheets is a useful tool when it comes to budgeting.

I think that this article breaks down budgeting pretty well and in a comprehensive way!

Budget Planner

17. Pick out your outfit the night before.

Choosing your outfit the night before saves you a ton of energy in the morning. You’ll be better prepared to start your day off efficiently!

18. Do a brain dump in your journal.

Sometimes, it helps to dump out all of your thoughts on paper. By doing so, you can make sense of what you’re really feeling.

Here is my full tutorial on how to do a brain dump + worksheets!

19. Make a playlist for various daily tasks.

Something that makes life easier for me is to create playlists for various tasks. For example, if I’m writing a blog post, I may want relaxing tunes. However, if I’m cleaning the house, I’ll probably seek out more energetic songs. Making playlists for different parts of the day helps you set the tone! 🎵

20. Let go of toxic relationships.

Toxic relationships drain your energy and make you feel down. Do what you can to let go of people who don’t have your best interest at heart. This can include a friend, mentor, or even a family member. I know making a life decision like that isn’t easy, but you deserve to feel valued and loved by the people around you.

The same goes for social media. If you notice that you’re feeling drained by a profile or feed, it’s perfectly okay to unfollow. Do your best to expose yourself to accounts that motivate you and bring joy to your life instead!

21. Create monthly goals and stick them on your fridge.

Ask yourself what you’d like to accomplish this month. Afterwards, take some time to create a realistic “monthly goals” sheet. You can even do this on a piece of notebook paper! Stick the sheet on your fridge, so you can have a little encouraging reminder of your goals.

22. Use Google Calendar.

Google Calendar is a huge lifesaver! Some awesome features include:

• Syncing your calendar to your phone
• Sharing your schedule
• Categorizing your schedule and events
• Enabling work hours

I like using Google Calendar to figure out my content calendar and would definitely recommend!

23. Create a simple daily “to-do” list.

Often times, we try to accomplish too many things during the day. Remember: there are only 24 hours in the day, so be kind to yourself.

Minimize your to-do list and pick 3 things you want to achieve today. Don’t forget to celebrate yourself for completing your goals! If you couldn’t complete all three, remember you can always try again tomorrow.

24. Develop a consistent routine.

It’s a good idea to create a reliable routine during the day. It kind of brings a flow to your everyday activities. Think of some things you’d like to do more of in your routine. Also, consider some tasks you think would be beneficial to eliminate. Once you’ve finished brainstorming, put together a realistic daily routine!

25. Ask for help.

Finally, know when to ask for help. We’re only human and can’t do it all. I know it isn’t always easy to ask for help, but it’s crucial to know when to delegate tasks. Think about it this way. If your loved one needed assistance, wouldn’t you want them to reach out to you? Treat yourself like a best friend! And just know that there are people around who love you and want to help.

I hope that you enjoyed this post, everyone! Have a great day! x

What are some things you think make life easier?

Grab a coffee or tea & stay a while! 💛☕

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