Life can be tough sometimes. The days can be long, they can often seem impossible to get through when nothing is going right, and in those moments, anything that makes our lives easier is a welcome trick.
I mean, excellent and simple life hacks are also amazing on the days where things are already going right, too, so why wouldn’t we want to know as many as possible?
If you agree, here are 20 simple life hacks that nearly every human being can benefit from – time to take notes!
20. Learn how to apologize.
If you f*cked up– admit it (unless you are talking to cops)
But in most situations just admitting how you were wrong and accepting responsibility is so much easier than trying to blame someone or something else or make up an excuse
When you own the mistake it puts the onus back on the other person to accept that, be mature and move on. If you try and deny or shift blame it forces that person to examine those reasons and if they are BS, come back at you, dragging the process out and leading to unpleasant call outs and confrontations
19. Tiles are magic.
If you bring something to someone’s house that you don’t want to forget, put your keys with it, assuming you can trust the people there.
Also, get a Tile or similar Bluetooth device so you never lose your keys or phone again.
18. Cars keep track of it for you, now!
Regularly change the oil in your car. On time. Do it.
Will help it last longer.
17. The outliers are way too invested.
Read the three and four star reviews for the most reliable information on Amazon items.
there’s sooo many stupid reasons people give for disliking stuff…3-star reviews are usually the most realistic!
16. You never know when it’s the last time.
Tell the people you love that you love them, more often.
15. It’s so simple, too.
Manners and general politeness will get you far and become the norm with but a small amount of practice.
I’m not talking overboard “m’lady” but a simple please and thank you with a genuine smile.
Be especially nice to receptionists. They are the gate keepers. Whether you’re there to interview for a job or attempt to sell something to the owners, if you are rude to the receptionist, you can kiss your chances goodbye.
This applies doubly over the phone where body language and facial expressions are non-existent; make sure your tone isn’t condescending or else your message is going in the trash if it isn’t mission-critical.
14. I’m going to have to try this myself.
If you’re having trouble getting your baking paper to fit your tray, scrunch it up first and then unfurl it. It stays in the pan easier and fits like a dream.
13. Not every “old saying” is useful.
You will often have to make decisions in life without being able to know all the information related to the choices. Being able to identify what you don’t know is invaluable. It allows you to make assumptions and contingency plans if those assumptions fail.
I want to slap every person that quips, “If you assume, you make an ass out of u and me.” You cannot function in life without making assumptions. The trick is to identify them as such so that you can be better prepared when they are resolved.
12. I wonder if this works for other kinds of nut butter.
Turn Natural Peanut Butter, the ones where the oil separates and you have to mix it, upside down for a few hours. It will bring the oil to the top and make it alot easier to mix!
Then, after you mix it, put it in the fridge and the cold will solidify the oil so you don’t have to mix it again.
11. How can you not?
It sounds crazy, but talking to yourself helps in these scenarios too. Use yourself as a sounding board.
Just hearing the thoughts out loud can add a new perspective, and in having the ‘conversation’ with yourself, you need to think about what you want to say and why, and therefore you’re opening yourself up to think about it in different ways.
Or maybe I’m just nuts and talk to myself a lot.
10. I definitely need to do this.
Whenever somebody you know mentions something that they like/need or favourite things keep a note of it on your phone.
Eventually you’ll have a list for all your friends and family that you can dip into whenever you need to get them a gift!
9. So don’t beat yourself up.
A decision is only good or bad at the time it’s made. People who say “that turned out to be a bad decision” are missing this point.
It’s only a bad decision if you chose poorly based on the information you had at the time.
For example: Betting on a horse that is in form and on favoured going is not a bad decision*. The horse ultimately losing doesn’t make the decision bad. Betting on a horse that’s out of form, doesn’t like the going and looks a bit lame is a bad decision. If that horse wins, it was still a bad decision, you simply got away with it.
8. For nurses…and murderers.
The easiest way to remove blood stains is to use bar soap and hand wash it. Works better than using laundry detergent.
7. Well that’s helpful.
Hanging picture frames: Put painter’s tape from edge to edge on the top side of the frame. Trace where the hangers are. Peel the tape off, then stick it to the wall where you want your frame hung. Tap your nails into the premarked spots, then remove the tape and hang your frame.
6. This has never worked, not ever.
if you want someone to get more mad you tell them to “calm down”.
5. We’re all different.
Not really a life hack, but a general advice. Do what works for you. It doesn’t matter if it’s unconventional, if it works it works.
I have ADHD, & for me that means keeping things organized is difficult AF. I also have a hard time remembering pretty much anything.
I keep my laundry in boxes underneath my bed, organized by colour. That way I won’t forget anything in the laundry basket, I just empty the whole thing into the washer. Also makes it easier to see what I have to wash first.
I live in Sweden, & here we have sort of a deposit (sorry if that’s not the right word) on most plastic bottles & cans. I.E we pay like 20 cents for THE BOTTLE/CAN. We then return it & get the 20 cents back. Most people keep those bottles & cans in like a wardrobe or such. However, I am terrible at putting those in there. I forget to bring them there & it just starts to pile up. Instead, I had a laundry basket just within reach from my bed, so I just had to lean out & put it in there. Unconventional, but it worked!
I have like a million of these weird “hacks” going, but the important part is that it’s ok to do what works for you. It doesn’t matter if other people are able to just “do it”, if it’s hard for you it’s hard for you. I’ve had to explain my solutions a few times, but in the end, most people agree that sure it might not be what they’re doing, but it’s better than the alternative.
4. Give me all of the cooking tips.
When you’re cooking and the recipe calls for onions and garlic, don’t put the garlic into the pan until the onion is nearly translucent. Garlic cooks way faster than onions do, if you throw them in at the same time it won’t taste as good/the garlic will burn. It literally takes 30 seconds for minced garlic to cook.
Also, if you’re a home cook… sharpen your knives often.
Thought of a few more tips:
love chives and parsley in your eggs/omelettes/anything else, but hate the hassle of cutting them/using the herbs before it turns? Get dried chives and dried parsley instead, it rehydrates quickly in sauces/eggs and tastes the same (it’s also way cheaper). This tip can apply to a lot of herbs. While fresher is always better, dried is often still delicious while still being in a student-y budget.
Add a bit of vinegar to your beans if you’re making anything beany, a lot of home cooks think that vinegar is gross (and it is by itself) but a dash of vinegar can really make beans, sauces and marinades pop!
3. You’re gonna need it.
When moving house, always set up your bedroom/ make the bed first so when your exhausted and just had enough you can fall into bed.
Nothing worse than being exhausted and having to make the bed before getting into it.
2. Everyone likes money and kindness.
If you’re planning on spending a decent amount of time drinking at a busy bar, always make sure you give the bartender a really good tip on your first order and ask them how they’re doing before you order.
Chances are you won’t have to wait very long on your next couple of orders
1. No matter what.
Never talk to cops in case of any serious legal trouble.
Always ask for a lawyer.
Surprised how many people don’t really know this.
I’m definitely putting some of these into practice asap.
What’s your favorite simple life hack? If it’s not on this list, share it with us in the comments!
