I’m always looking for life hacks to make my life easier. And as I roll into my 30’s and beyond I feel like I shouldn’t be stressing about the little annoying things that pop up on a daily basis.

So I compiled a list of SIMPLE life hacks that I live by in order to breeze through my days. And let me tell you, I live my 30’s like a completely different person than I was in my 20’s. I realized that my time is extremely important, and if I can make little tweaks to my day and increase my quality of living…then more happiness for me.

Read my 10 stupid simple life hacks that make MY life easier below. I’m passing on my tips and tricks in hopes that you can fine tune things in your life and be on your way to a simpler happier life.

#1: Have Multiple Phone Chargers Plugged In

This is something I used to get so frustrated with in my 20’s. I’d go to the store, so I’d bring my one phone charger with me. Or I’d go to a different room…along comes my charger. I was constantly losing them and would get really mad when I couldn’t find it!

Once I hit 30 and started living like an adult, I bought multiple chargers and put them in places I use most. One for my car, kitchen and bedroom. They don’t ever leave their designated plug in spots and I’m never losing them. Also, my phone is always charged!

My husband once asked me why don’t you have to plug your phone in at night with how much you use it, and I could happily tell him that I’m able to easily charge my phone depending on what room I’m in, or if I’ve left the house.

The funny thing is…he loves these simple life hacks of mine, because it’s convenient for him too.

#2: Chapstick Everywhere

Just like having multiple phone chargers in designated spots I also have Chapstick strategically placed. Two in my purse, two in my car, and one on my desk.

Maybe I’m addicted, but I’m ok with it. The fact is that I don’t have to go searching for it when I need it, because they never leave their spots. This is such a simple thing, but it makes me happy. More stupid simple life hacks for the win.

#3: Clean Workspace for the Next Day

I’ve been working from home for the last year, and I’ve made a cozy office space in my living room for my teaching and blogging. Every night before I go to bed I clear my desk of ONLY things I’ll need in the morning (Yes that includes my Chapstick). This is super convenient, because when I wake up in the morning my laptop and double monitor are all set, and my workspace is clean ready for another long day.

I’ll also set my tennis shoes right next to my desk for easy access when I start my day virtually teaching (PE teacher here). Simple things like this give me a few extra minutes to sleep in and I don’t have to start my day in chaos.

Set up for your tomorrow the night before to make your mornings a little more enjoyable.

#4: Stop Shopping for Everything on a Budget

Sort of…

I love a good deal, but what I mean by stop shopping for everything on a budget is when you go to the grocery store and you have to choose between the Ruffles Sour Cream & Onion Chips vs the knock off version for 40 cents less…choose the Ruffles because you love them.

Back in college I would spend so much more time at the grocery store looking at EVERY price. Multiple brands. Just trying to save a few cents here and there. As I got older I realized I like what I like, and also I don’t need to be wasting so much of my time. There are plenty of ways to make up for the extra cents spent:

• Don’t order as much fast food/takeout every week.
• Cancel subscriptions you don’t need or use.
• Close the Amazon tab.

This can literally work in all other aspects of your life. Find a balance of what you want and need and start enjoying your purchases.

#5: Light Your Favorite Candles While You Work (if possible)

I get up to teach every morning and the first thing I do is open my blinds and front door so as much sunlight is getting into my living room as possible. Then, I’ll light my favorite candle.

Making my workspace calm and cozy helps me enjoy what I’m doing just a little bit more. There’s something about a Champagne Toast morning without the actual drink that brightens my mood. If you have the means to burn a candle in your office, then do it! This will also give you an excuse to go buy more candles too 😉

#6: Speaking of Candles, Buy Multiple Lighters

Just like my phone charger and Chapstick tip, I do the same for my candle lighters. As you can tell I am really into candles and I love to burn one in my kitchen, living room and bathroom most days. The only problem I was having was that I kept losing my lighter. One day it was in our junk drawer, the next my bookshelf and a different day the bathroom. I was so sick of chasing them down that I went on Amazon and bought a pack of 3 multipurpose lighters for a few bucks.

Now I keep one in each room, and any time I want to burn my candles I don’t have venture around the house.

#7: Ok Buying Multiples of Everything

The deeper I get into this post, the more I realize I should have just named the title Buy Multiples of Things You Use Daily.

So far you’ve noted that I have multiple phone chargers, Chapstick and lighters. Some other items I disperse around the house that come in handy are:

• Scissors: kitchen, bathroom, husbands office.
• Cheap winter gloves: I bought a pack of 12, because one or ALL usually go missing. I keep a few in my car, a pair in my coat pockets and a bunch in my cube bins in the living room.
• Laundry baskets: one for dirty clothes, one for clean clothes, and one (or two) for the loads I don’t feel like putting away.
• Pillows: I have my bedroom pillow that doesn’t leave my bed, as well as a couch pillow for cozying up on a cold or rainy day. I like the fact that my bed and couch is always ready for me to crash without having to move stuff from room to room.
• Food containers: for my birthday last year I had my husband get me TONS of Rubbermaid containers. I love cooking, so always having access to containers that can be easily sealed for leftovers is extremely convenient.
• Cleaner for countertops: I got a 2-pack of Windex all purpose cleaner to keep one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. There is no better feeling than a clean counter top with a freshly lit candle on top. (I also keep multiple rags under my kitchen and bathroom sinks for easy access when I’m cleaning my countertops.)

Again, all of my multiple items through out my housed are things I use every single day. They aren’t frivolous purchases and the majority of them are really inexpensive.

#8: Taking Time for Yourself

Every day you should be carving out “you” time. Self care is all the rage these days, but are you actually caring for your mental and physical wellbeing?

My “me” time is always on my prep period towards the end of my workday. I hustle to get most of my work done on my lunch break or during classes so that when my 1:30 prep rolls around I can relax. What I love doing is turning on some nonsense reality show and sitting on my couch (with my couch pillow) and disconnecting from work, my students, and my computer that I am in front of all day. It’s only 30 minutes, but it’s MY 30 minutes.

What time are you going to set aside for yourself to make your day better?

#9: Write your Daily/Weekly/Monthy Goals Down

Goal setting is extremely important in order to keep progressing towards things you want to achieve. And remember, your goals are your goals. So if you’re saving up to get a really expensive sweater that you love, write down how much money you should be putting aside weekly so you’ll have a clear cut path to your sweater!

Personally, I had my husband hang a giant white board over my workspace in the living room. This is where I write down my goals. On the left, I track my monthly and bi weekly progress when it comes to this blog and my YouTube channel I’m growing. In the middle I have my top three 2021 goals that should be achieved by December of this year. And on the right is my 9 class daily schedule that I follow to keep me on track and organized.

The visual I see every single day helps me stay motivated to build my brand while working full time as a PE teacher. Both aspects of my life are split accordingly to ensure I give my all to both. I work hard to be the best PE teacher I can be, and I won’t let my outside projects interfere with that. But I also work hard at my outside projects so setting realistic goals for me to reach is a must.

#10: Walk Your Way To A Stronger Healthier Body

Not everyone has the energy to go to the gym, or get a killer workout in. But we can start with walking. Since I’ve been working from home, I’ve shaved a few hours off my day that used to be spent doing pointless things. Like driving to and from work. Wasted time. Or getting to work early or staying late to fulfil “duties” assigned to the teachers.

I now make an appoint to walk my dog Nico almost daily, and it’s great quality time for us with awesome benefits. Sometimes we’ll even wait until my husband gets off of work and we’ll take family walks.

My point is that making time to move is extremely important and you’ll definitely increase the quality of life by doing so. Small shifts to your day such as waking up 10 minutes early to get a morning walk in, or that extra 15 minute break you get would be a perfect time to go for a walk. Even if it’s in your work building!

In a previously written post by myself, I lay out 6 different EASY ways to motivate you to start walking more. Check it out! These stupid simple life hacks will add years to your life.

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