Use systems!

I have a system for getting ready. My uniform is jeans, a T-shirt, and a hoodie. In the winter, I add leggings and a button-down shirt or sweater. In warmer weather, short-sleeved shirts and denim capris are in the rotation.

If I dress up, which is once or twice a month, I add a jacket and sometimes a dress shirt.

I have a key rack. Keys go on the key rack

I have a drawer for light bulbs and a drawer for batteries.

We have a landing strip by the door for everything we need when heading out for dog walks, including distance glasses and sunglasses, plus our incredibly handy car bags.

We have a calendar station with a small filing basket for anything we need to keep. We file everything by month and can usually get three or four years of monthly files in one small box. These get shredded after seven years. It took me a while to get here, but I don’t think about it anymore.

I constantly misplace my phone, headphones, and computer glasses, so I have room for improvement in 2026!

My life got better when I started using Calendly for scheduling. It integrates seamlessly with my digital calendar.

Using systems like these can help me reduce the cognitive load of daily living, keep track of essential items, and save time (and hassle!).

Photo by Olga Kovalski on Unsplash