Having a pocketful of life hacks can make your life easier. We sometimes forget that these "tricks" are really meant to simplify aspects of our life that don't need to be as hard as they are. Just take a look at these entries, which might seem silly on the surface, but are more invaluable than you think.
Reddit user, u/juatanotherbtsstan, wanted to know how to quickly improve their daily lives when they asked:
What's a life hack that sounds crappy but actually works really well?
Start Off Strong
homer simpson gym GIFGiphyExercising first thing in the morning really does make you feel better all day.
It is garbage to start. Take a month or two to get used to. Then you miss a day and feel like sh-t.
I actually really hate that this is the truth. I started exercising in the morning with the Express purpose to disprove that 1) doing your hardest/least favorite task first thing gets it done and 2) that it improves your mood and energy for the day.
Been getting up at 455am every morning for so many years to exercise before work that I cannot live without it. Like I will wake at 3am to exercise if I have something that will have me leaving the house for 5am (I live in buttf-ck nowhere. Most medical appointments are hours away and I have two chronic illnesses)
Never Assume The Worst For Someone You Respect
When someone you like or respect does something confusingly infuriating, imagine the most-favorable-to-them possible explanation, and pretend that's true. Wait until you know more before getting reflexively angry.
I do a version of this as a teacher when a student messes up. I go in saying I'm worried about them rather than I'm disapproving of them. I learn much more about students' home lives and build better relationships.
Might. As. Well.
I call it the power of "might as well"
Gonna get up from my desk and go to the kitchen? Oh well, might as well take this plate with me.
Going to pee before bed? Oh well, might as well brush my teeth.
Going to brush my teeth? Oh well, might as well floss.
Going outside? Oh well, might as well bring the trash.
Its ridiculous, but it works.
A Small Change To A Question Can Be A Big Difference
Don't ask someone 'do you need anything?' when they are going through something. Ask them 'what can I do for you?' and stop talking. Sometimes listening is enough. Being a good listener isn't easy. You have to stop waiting for your turn to speak and just be there for them.
Source: father of daughters.
Make It Tougher For Yourself
Don't save your banking information on online stores. Makes impulse buying much more difficult if you have to track down your wallet.
Anything Is Always Better Than Nothing
marge simpson singing GIFGiphyIf something's worth doing, it's usually worth doing badly.
Half-assing the dishes is better than leaving them to fester in the sink. Sending old friends a happy birthday message when Facebook prompts you is better than losing touch entirely. Taking a quick shower without soap is better than not showering at all. Piling your laundry up in a basket instead of putting in the wardrobe is better than leaving it scattered over the floor.
Also applies to self-improvement stuff as well as maintenance. Don't worry so much about doing 100 pushups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats and a 10km run that you do nothing, just walk around the block and do one of each of the others for now. Just write one page a day of that novel, and allow it to be terrible. Write simple, buggy programs. Draw badly. Watch youtubers cook or fix their car or put on makeup or build something, even, if you can't find the energy to yourself.
If you're having trouble finding a date start pre-emptively assuming that everyone is off-limits and just focus on finding genuine friends who match your orientation.
Somewhere along the line you'll lose your discomfort and start getting better at doing what you want or need to do.
Set A Time To See What You Can Get Done In That Time
Take two to ten minutes to tidy up your home before you go to bed. The next morning, you'll feel way better not having to look at all the junk/things you still have to do.
Not Writing It Down To Remember It Now...
Writing things down by hand helps you remember them better.
Yeah when my teachers let us make cheat sheets for tests I ended up knowing the material well enough that I only needed to reference the cheat sheet once in a while.
Turns Out, Wasps Also Don't Like Wasps
A knitted fake wasp nest.
Our wasps buggered off the same day, haven't been seen since.
Decide How You Want To React
angry homer simpson GIFGiphyChoose your reaction before your emotions can.
I was always jealous of people who naturally had a great response to problems (like "I forgot something at home. Oh well, it happens to everyone. I'm sure they'll understand why I'm late."). I began really noticing how much easier that must make life, so I started trying to imagine the "right" reaction to situations.
If you make yourself pause to think of a good reaction, you can kind of choose it like "Yeah, that would be a good one" and then you don't give your stupid brain an opportunity to throw out a sh-tty reaction.
(Someone made me remember something I think is important to add, so I'm pasting it here so it won't get lost)
I learned to do it despite it seeming impossible. The trick for me was to recognize that I was enabling and feeding my own emotional responses, like "My car won't start, I should be upset! Why wouldn't I be?! This will cost me money!" I was choosing to be upset because I was "supposed" to be, or I was entitled to be upset. But I didn't really want to be.
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Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram