Ever feel like you’re just trying to keep your head above water? I know that feeling all too well. For years, my life was a chaotic cycle of bad habits. I was stuck playing video games for hours, overeating, and just feeling lazy and lost. The thought of changing my entire life felt impossible. It was too big, too overwhelming.
But here’s what I learned: you don’t have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Real, lasting change comes from simplifying. It comes from small, smart adjustments that clear out the noise and make space for what truly matters. I managed to break free from my addictions, lose over 110 pounds, and build a life that feels productive and purposeful. It all started with making my daily routine just a little bit easier.
Here are 10 life hacks that helped me get there. I hope they can help you too.
1. Prep Your Outfit the Night Before
This sounds almost too simple to work, but trust me. Waking up to a pre-selected outfit eliminates one decision from your morning. That’s one less thing to think about when you’re still groggy. It saves you mental energy that you can use for more important things later in the day. It’s a tiny win, but it sets a calm, prepared tone for the day ahead.
2. Start the Day with One Small Act of Order
Don’t worry about a complicated morning routine. Just do one thing. For me, that’s making my bed. It takes two minutes, and it’s an immediate signal to my brain that the day has begun. It’s a small act of discipline that creates a sense of accomplishment before I’ve even had my coffee. Maybe for you, it’s unloading the dishwasher or saying a short prayer of thanks for a new day. Whatever it is, make it simple and consistent.
3. Batch Cook Your Basics
When I was trying to lose weight, the idea of cooking three healthy meals a day felt exhausting. The solution was batch cooking. On Sunday, I’d spend an hour or two cooking simple basics for the week: a big batch of grilled chicken, some roasted vegetables, and a pot of rice or quinoa. This didn’t mean I had boring, pre-packaged meals. It meant the main components were ready to go. I could easily throw together a healthy salad, a quick stir-fry, or a simple grain bowl in minutes. It took the guesswork out of eating healthy and saved me from making bad choices when I was tired and hungry.
4. Embrace Short Bursts of Focus
I used to believe I had to work a solid eight hours to be productive. That belief just led to burnout and procrastination. Now, I work in short, focused bursts. I set a timer for 90 minutes and give one task my complete attention. No phone, no email, no distractions. Then I take a real break. I get up, walk around, or do something completely different. I found I get more high-quality work done in 3-4 hours of focused work than I ever did in an 8-hour day of constant distraction.
5. The "Just Start" Rule
Procrastination and laziness were huge struggles for me. The "Just Start" rule was a game-changer. If a task takes less than five minutes, do it immediately. Don’t put it on a to-do list. Just get it done. For bigger tasks that feel overwhelming, tell yourself you only have to work on it for five minutes. Anyone can do something for five minutes. The magic is that starting is the hardest part. Once you begin, you often find the momentum to keep going.
6. Silence the Noise
Our phones are constantly begging for our attention. Every buzz and notification pulls you out of the present moment and adds a little bit of stress. A huge step toward a simpler day is to be ruthless with your notifications. Go into your settings and turn off notifications for everything except the essentials, like calls or texts from family. You don’t need to know that someone liked your photo the second it happens. Reclaim your focus.
7. Create "No-Brainer" Lists
Decision fatigue is real. The more small decisions we make all day, the more mentally drained we become. Simplify things by creating a few "no-brainer" lists. Have a list of 5-7 go-to healthy dinner ideas you can rotate through. Have a list of 3-4 simple workouts you can do without much thought. When you feel tired or uninspired, you don’t have to think. You just look at the list and pick one.
8. Schedule Time for God
When my life felt chaotic, my faith was my anchor. But it’s easy to let our spiritual life get pushed aside when we’re busy. I started treating my time with God like any other important appointment. I schedule it in my calendar. It might just be 15 minutes in the morning to read a bit of Scripture and pray, or a few minutes of quiet prayer before bed. Making it a non-negotiable part of my schedule ensures it happens. This time grounds me, gives me perspective, and reminds me of my purpose far more than any other activity.
9. Have a Designated "Home" for Everything
How much time do you waste looking for your keys, wallet, or phone? Give your essential items a designated home. When you walk in the door, your keys go in the bowl by the entrance. Your wallet goes on your nightstand. Your glasses go in their case. It’s a simple habit that saves you from those frantic, stressful searches when you’re trying to get out the door.
10. End Your Day with Gratitude
Instead of scrolling through your phone before bed, take just two minutes to reflect on the day. I find it powerful to simply thank God for three specific things that happened. They don’t have to be big. Maybe it was a good conversation with a friend, a moment of peace, or just the fact that you made it through a tough day. This simple practice shifts your focus from what went wrong to what went right. It ends the day on a note of peace and thankfulness, which is a far better way to drift off to sleep.
Simplifying your life isn’t about becoming a perfect, hyper-organized robot. It’s about being intentional. It's about removing the little bits of friction and noise so you have more energy for the people and pursuits that truly matter.
What’s one small thing you can simplify tomorrow to make your day a little easier?
