What little things have you implemented to reduce the cognitive overload of life and/or stay organised?
Some random ones of mine:
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“Formulas” to fall back on - outfit formula for when I don’t want to think about what to wear, making dinner formula (repetition of what ingredients I buy, very similar meals just with key components changed around)
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On the clothes - I prioritise black clothes so that I can throw together outfits easily. I have lots of variants of black top + black bottom.
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Write things down somewhere. Immediately. I use thougt capturing apps/ software like Google keep, obsidian but also have used bullet journals or just notebooks with page numbers. I’m currently building a note on obsidian with important info for things I always need to refer to at random times like national insurance number.
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Always label files on computer in a logical way. Avoid the urge to name things sjdudnskao as this will only come back to haunt you!
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Use lots of key words in emails to myself that I know I will want to search for later.
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Assign a specific dumping area for my important stuff that I need to grab in mornings while getting ready for work.
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Organise physical items based on being able to easily access them / see them. Many people, me included, need things to be visible otherwise the organisation just doesn’t work. I use Marie kondo tips to do this and also lots of tips from neurodivergent groups on fb. I actually try and stack my fridge like Marie kondo stacks clothes. Basically store what I can upright like books rather than one on top of the other. I only “hide” things when I have multiple items and then put the current one to use at the front.
Aaand many more. This is just what came to mind now.
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Use your messy instincts to learn how to organize. If you always place your keys in a certain spot, put a key dish there. If you dump your clothes on/near your bed, get a laundry basket there.
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Lists are only useful if you look at them, so put them somewhere you can’t avoid. I’m not talking about your fridge: use your phone. Set reminders that stay visible until you mark them completed. If you use Outlook for work, use its reminders liberally and give them realistic deadlines.
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Most important of all, take your medication if you have some. You wouldn’t stop wearing your glasses because they let you see, so if your medication is working then keep up with it.
Yes first one is good. Second one…I am extremely list blind. Looking at list needs to be made into a routine / hobby and I often have to try and use novelty to get it to work hence constantly changing how I do lists which is a bit contradictory with the routine element.
Fridge lists never worked for me. Phone does to an extent until it’s not a novelty anymore and it’s just …there. reminders last like a day before I automatically cancel them without reading.
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Edit: Completely missed which community this is in. I guess the real life hack is to slow down and read things before adding your two cents lol. Oh well, I’ll keep my post here anyway - I stand by it.
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When microwaving leftover pizza, spray (or pour) water on it. People will look at you weird for doing it, but I haven’t had a bland, dried-out leftover pizza in years, so joke’s on them.
This also applies to most microwaveable things, honestly. Microwaves are designed to target water molecules, so not only will it taste better, it’ll cook faster and more thoroughly.
I used to keep a little spray bottle by the microwave, but over time I just started using the tap.
Nice tip anyway!
I carry my bag. My bag contains everything I need 90% of the time. I am now ised to the bag.
Yes I often carry an entire rucksack with loads of random things in which people find odd but I like to be prepared!
Wait to shit at work so you get paid for it and get a hour break on the clock
My hemorrhoid doctor says it’s bad to sit there so long with your anus hanging. “Leave your phone outside the bathroom, and shit or get off the pot. If it’s taking more than a couple of minutes, you need Metamucil.”
countertop dishwasher, it’ll change your life, especially when you don’t have the spoons to wash your spoons (hah).
the one i got was less than $300 usd, hooks right up to the faucet and empties into the sink. highly recommend.
also, every day carry checklist taped to your front door, makes it harder to forget stuff on your way out.
Day carry checklist is a big one for me, haven’t forgotten anything since I started using one
- Pre-packed bags for different occasions: one for bike rides with tools, and another for casual going out with spare bottles, foldable shop bags, portable charger etc.
- Whiteboards or post it notes - I forget stuff super quick and it helps to get it written down ASAP
A lot of the hacks i’ve turned into habits so it’s kind of hard to think them up at the moment
Yes I like the pre packaged bag idea. I do this to an extent but also accidentwlly use my bag as a dumping ground.
I love a whiteboard. And also wall info. I’m a teacher and I stick my timetable on the wall in multiple spaces so I can see from where I sit, my classes and number of kids per class also on the wall in more than one place and other things. Storing things on wall in a place you look often is great for reducing time it takes to fish out important info.
