Simple Ideas for Everyday Life

With these simple ideas, you can bring joy, organization, and clarity to a typical day. Often in life, small, consistent changes are what make a difference.

Get inspired to start today with our collection of ideas. Build new routines, organize life and your home, and make the most of any day with simple activities.

Small Things That Make Life Easier

Keep a magnetic grocery list notepad on the fridge to add things to when you remember.

Meal prep or meal plan for the week to save time every day.

Keep a small basket by the door for keys and other small accessories.

Keep a donation box by the entryway, add to it throughout the month, and take it when full.

If something takes less than 2 minutes, just do it now.

Have a ’notes to yourself’ list for to-dos, motivation, thoughts, and inspiration.

Plan tomorrow’s outfit the night before.

Prepare some freezer dinners for really busy days.

Keep phone chargers everywhere you need a charger often: at home, in the car, and at work.

Add your appointments to your calendar as soon as you make them.

Stock up your pantry and fridge with essentials so cooking at home is always easy (e.g., pasta, oil, dried herbs, parmesan).

Be kind to others and to yourself.

Get the ‘Small Things That Make Life Easier’ printable here.

Micro-Adventures

• Get a snack you haven’t tried before from the grocery store.
• Learn a tiny skill like folding origami or a couple of phrases in another language.
• Try a new coffee shop or get a different pastry or coffee drink.
• Watch the sunset and reflect on your day.
• Go outside for your lunch break and try to find an interesting place nearby.
• Spend some time in nature at a nearby park, lake, or botanical garden.
• Try a new dinner recipe.
• Browse books at a local bookshop or library.
• Watch or read something new.
• Create a cozy nook for yourself.
• Tidy a space you spend a lot of time in (e.g., work desk, living room).
• Try a new restaurant or a new cuisine for lunch or dinner.

Get the Micro-Adventures printable here.

Little Ways to Recharge Throughout the Day

• Listen to ocean or rainforest sounds on your phone.
• Reflect on what you’ve achieved this year for a few minutes.
• Make a quick list of things you love.
• Listen to your favorite podcast or audiobook in the background.
• Look at some photos of happy memories on your phone.
• Visualize a peaceful place.
• Do some quick stretches and power poses.
• Put on your favorite feel-good song.
• Go outside and take a few deep breaths.
• Sit in a quiet place for a few minutes and enjoy the silence.
• Have a tea or coffee break.
• Go for a quick walk if you have the time.

Get the Ways to Recharge Throughout the Day printable here.

Little Ways to Make Every Day Special

• Replace your standard morning alarm with songs you love to wake up in a good mood.
• Take a photo or short video of something you find interesting or different every day.
• Enjoy at least one of your favorite things (e.g., watch your favorite TV show, make your favorite dish for dinner, listen to your favorite songs).
• Try one small new thing every day (e.g., try a new coffee shop, drive a different route to work).
• Learn a tiny skill or one small thing every day (e.g., keyboard shortcuts, a couple of words in another language).
• Pick one micro adventure every day (e.g., watch the sunset, have lunch outdoors).
• Spend time with your favorite people.
• Take at least one small action toward your goals every day and write about it at the end of the day.
• Take time to reflect in the evening and think of your favorite thing that happened that day.

Get the Little Ways to Make Every Day Special printable here.

Little Ways to be More Active

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can.
• Park further away when going shopping so that you have a longer walk to and from the store.
• If you can, go for a walk when you want to make a longer phone call.
• Stretch while catching up on your favorite TV shows this evening.
• Dance to your favorite playlist at home.
• Pick up some active hobbies (e.g., gardening, hiking, cycling, swimming).
• Set reminders to move and stretch your legs every 30-60 minutes.
• Have your lunch break outdoors. Walk and explore new places if you can.
• If you work at a desk, learn more seated exercises (e.g., seated shoulder rolls, neck stretches, ankle circles, wrist stretches).

Get the Little Ways to be More Active printable here.

Things That Make Cooking at Home Easier

• Meal plan for the week.
• Have pantry staples on hand (pasta, rice, oil, spices, canned goods).
• Get refrigerated staples for the week (e.g., butter, cheese, milk, chicken/fish/protein).
• Have themed nights every week (e.g., Taco Tuesday, Pasta Night Wednesday).
• Have a few go-to recipes you’ve tried and loved.
• Try more sheet-pan meals or one-pan meals.
• Make a cooking playlist with your favorite songs.
• Have a few very simple or quick recipes (e.g., Parmesan pasta, quesadillas, egg fried rice).
• Utilize pre-prepped items when needed (e.g., frozen pre-chopped veggies, rotisserie chicken).
• Keep flavor upgrades on hand (e.g., lemon, flaky sea salt, Parmesan, fresh herbs).
• Pre-cook things you may use throughout the week (e.g., roasted peppers, boiled eggs, poached chicken).
• Try appliances that make cooking easier (e.g., air fryer, slow cooker, panini grill).
• Clean while cooking.
• Make some freezer meals for busy nights (e.g., lasagna, burritos, meatloaf).
• Double the amount you’re cooking so you can have leftovers for the next day.
• Save all the recipes you love in one place (e.g., a recipe book or a folder).

Get the Things That Make Cooking at Home Easier printable here.

Don’t forget to save our simple ideas for everyday life to one of your boards. We’ll be adding more ideas throughout the year and beyond.