Some people were born with a photographic memory, while some relate better to Dory from Finding Nemo. If you’re with the latter crowd, it might seem like everything in life is a little harder for you. You might constantly forget things or feel frazzled more often than not.
But there’s good news — there are some simple swaps you can make at home to make your life a lot easier. You might think it’s a waste of time to bother with minor changes, but they can significantly impact your daily life down the road. So, here are five swaps you can do to make life easier for yourself:
1. Make a list instead of committing things to memory
It’s not easy being forgetful, so if you can’t seem to keep track of everything in your head, try making a list instead. Write down everything you need to do for the day, week, or month, and keep it where you’ll see it often. That way, you can avoid forgetting things and feeling frazzled.
For instance, if you run out of milk and eggs while making breakfast, make a note on your list so you can pick them up the next time you’re at the grocery store. And you should keep that list on your refrigerator door so you can add to it as you think of things.
Since you’ve already established that your memory isn’t the most reliable, it’s also a good idea to set reminders on your phone for essential or recurring tasks. That way, you can be sure you won’t forget anything important and compromise your work or personal life.
2. Upgrade the hardware around your house
The best thing about living in today’s time is that there’s a gadget for everything. If you’re finding daily tasks are taking up too much of your time, try upgrading the hardware around your house. For example, if you keep forgetting where you put your keys, you could switch to a pushbutton cylindrical lever lock.
This way, you can open your doors with a combination instead of fumbling for keys. Other innovations can make your life easier, too, like a smart thermostat that you can program to adjust the temperature automatically or a robotic vacuum cleaner that cleans for you.
3. Buy new kitchen appliances
Have you ever forgotten to take the meat out of the freezer to thaw overnight and then had to deal with the last-minute stress of cooking it? Or left something on the stove and came back to a burnt mess? If your kitchen is constantly giving you trouble, it might be time to invest in new appliances.
For instance, you could get a slow cooker that allows you to put your food in it in the morning and have it ready by dinnertime. Or, you could invest in an air fryer to make healthier meals without all the oil and grease — the best part is that it automatically turns off when the timer’s up!
You could even get a programmable coffeemaker to have a hot cup of coffee waiting for you as soon as you wake up. These small kitchen appliances can make a big difference in your daily life and help you save time and hassle. Plus, it can make cooking a lot less stressful!
4. Switch to a capsule wardrobe
If you’re constantly running late because you can’t find anything to wear, it might be time to switch to a capsule wardrobe. This means paring down your wardrobe to only the essentials — comfortable, versatile, and stylish clothes. This way, you can save time in the morning by not having to sort through a bunch of clothes you don’t even wear.
To start, get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in the past year, doesn’t fit you well, or is too casual for the office. Then, build up your capsule wardrobe with a few key pieces that you can mix and match. For example, you might want a few pairs of pants, blazers, sweaters, dress shirts, and shoes.
With a capsule wardrobe, you can create endless outfit combinations appropriate for any occasion. Plus, getting dressed in the morning will be easier since you won’t have to sort through a pile of clothes. So, a capsule wardrobe is a great place to start if you’re looking to streamline your life.
5. Automate your bills and payments
If you’re always forgetting to pay your bills on time, it’s time to automate your payments. This way, you can set it and forget it — your bills will be paid each month automatically, so you don’t have to worry about it. Plus, you can avoid late fees and interest charges because you forgot to make a transfer.
To do this, log into your online banking account and set up automatic payments for each bill. This way, you can rest assured that your bills will be paid on time each month, and you won’t have to worry about it. Automating your payments can also be a life-saver when traveling since you won’t have to worry about ensuring everything is paid on time.
Making small changes in your life can have a significant impact over time. So, if you’re looking to simplify your life, try out some of these easy swaps. You might be surprised at how much easier it is to get through your day-to-day tasks when you make a few simple changes.
