Do you find yourself wishing for a bit of extra time in your day? That time can often be
found by streamlining our daily tasks. It's really the little things...those tiny tweaks in the way we go about our day...that make a big difference.
1. Clean as You Go: When preparing meals, clean up as you go. Wash dishes by hand or put them directly into the dishwasher. Store ingredients back in the refrigerator or
pantry immediately after use. There's almost always a bit of downtime when we're cooking, so use that time to your advantage. Plus, it's easier to handle small tasks as we go rather than allowing it all to pile up and then having to handle a big job after dinner.
2. Plan Your Outfits: Select your clothes the night
before work or school to save valuable time in the morning...for yourself and for your kids if applicable. Doing so also gives you the opportunity to handle any tiny fixes (maybe a bit of ironing or a mending a button) rather than discovering these challenges in the morning when you're in a rush to get out the door. A hanging organizer can help you plan your outfits for the entire week. 3. Routine Errands: Establish a weekly routine for errands and shopping.
This saves time and fuel...and prevents repeated trips for forgotten items.
4. Efficient Grocery Handling: Put groceries in your refrigerator, pantry, cabinets, etc. right away, directly from the grocery bags...rather than putting them on the counter first and then putting them away. If you bag yourself when you're at
the grocery store, you'll be able to pack all fridge items in one bag, all pantry items in another, etc. This makes putting groceries away much easier and quicker.
5. Double your meals: When cooking, make a double portion of each meal. Half is for tonight. Freeze the other half for another night. This
helps you get dinner on the table quickly on busy nights. Plus, it's nice to heat and eat some nights, rather than having to prepare and cook up a whole meal.
6. Color-Code Family Items: Assign colors to each family member for towels, toothbrushes, hair care items, and more. This saves time and prevents
confusion.
7. Designate Bags and Pre-Pack Based on Specific Activities: Designate specific bags for daily activities and fill them with needed items for easy grab-and-go. For example:
Library Bag: Place read books back into this bag for easy returns.
Dance/Music Bag: Include costumes, shoes, tights, books, instruments, music, and other necessities.
Overnight Bag: Pack an extra toothbrush, underwear, pajamas, toiletries, a travel hair dryer, an extra hairbrush, slippers, a wrinkle-free outfit, and socks.
Do this for the kids too, so they can quickly be ready
for a stay at grandma's or grandpa's.
By implementing these small but impactful changes, you can create a more efficient and less stressful daily routine. These little tweaks not only save time but also contribute to a more organized and harmonious life. Remember, it's the little things that make a big difference!
