So what do you think of when you hear the word simplifying? My first thought is, making something easier or saving time and maybe even money. One thing for sure, we can all probably use a few hacks to make our day or even week go a little smoother. Let’s talk about a few daily tasks and ways to simplify them.

Skip the Snooze

Do you hit the snooze on your alarm most mornings just to get that extra ten minutes of sleep? Trust me, I completely understand because I’m tempted to hit my snooze most mornings as well. In the essence of simplification, we’ll stop this negative habit together. I’m sure you’re wondering what this has to do with simplifying your life. The answer is it has more to do with your day going smoother with a by-product of simplification.  Pushing the snooze button may cause you to be more drowsy throughout your day and less productive. This could mean that it will take you longer to complete certain daily tasks. Also, being able to wake up on time helps you maintain your morning routine.

Breakfast Prep

Whether you are getting yourself out the door or an entire family, prepping is key. If you are cooking breakfast, prepare everything the night before. Since mornings can be hectic, knowing exactly what’s on the menu will allow you to execute without a lot of thought. Choosing items like overnight oats or pre-made yogurt parfaits can make it easier to grab a healthy breakfast and get out the door on time.

Organize your Space

No matter where you work or your amount of space, organizing it will simplify your workday. Set up your desk with cubbies, pen holders, filing trays, and anything else you may need to get organized. Giving every item a place will allow for easier access throughout your day. Utilize the last 10 minutes of your day, putting all of your items back in their designated locations. You will be more productive and able to start your day with everything you need at your fingertips.

Designate Dinner

Do you dread cooking after a long day at work? If you said yes, you are not alone. Let’s talk about a few ways to get dinner on the table faster and easier. Just as it is with breakfast, prepping for dinner can also make your evening a lot less complicated. Before the week begins, think through all the meals you intend to prepare. Check to ensure you have everything you need to avoid a last-minute trip to the store on a busy weeknight. Season, dice, marinate everything that’s on the menu on Sunday. If you are baking, marinate in the pan you will bake it in. This means you can pop it right in the oven when it’s time to cook. Make meals that last for at least two days. Just doing this could cut down on how many times you have to stand over a hot stove during the week.  Meal prep, double helpings, and planning can make dinner time a lot simpler.

Organizing your Home

We can’t talk about simplifying and not chat about organizing your home. Here are a few tips for creating a more organized space:

• Declutter kitchen and bathroom cabinets and organize with baskets
• Donate or toss clothes that hadn’t been worn in one full season
• Organize counters so that necessities are easily accessible and visible
• Create a drop basket for each person in your house: keys, bookbags, masks and other items you normally find scattered throughout the house go here
• Spend 15 minutes nightly putting items back in place in each room of your home

With a few daily adjustments, your week could become a whole lot simpler. By the end of the week, you’ll be saying, Now That Was Easy!