These are great! And I am right there with you in regards to the "but when am I gonna shower" workout situation.
I keep a notebook, pens/markers/pencils, and a book in each of my purses so that I grab them instead of my phone when I'm waiting or when I have five minutes here or there.
Thanks, Callie! Love the markers/pens/notebook + book in every purse idea…I’m always shuffling things from one bag to the other, but I should just stock all my bags with that stuff!
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Decide Once’s are so helpful! I love your list. I am inspired to consolidate the multiple notes on my phone that hold lists of meals we like and recipes to try into one master list.
This is so good!! Dinner is the worst to figure out. We also do Friday pizza and that’s so nice to have a tradition. I’m also thinking how you said your oldest is out the door at 6:30!!
Friday pizza night is the best! Middle school and high school start so early here—7:35, but the school is 25+ minutes away and the dropoff line gets crazy the closer it gets to the bell so they like to get there right at 7!
The recipe cards idea is so good! I need to do that. There are so many recipes that I still look up all the time and have to remember where it was from (especially baking, since you can't really eyeball that). I like the idea of going analog!
And morning workouts are what work best for me, too. I choose my Peloton (cycling or strength) class the night before and "stack" it with warm-up, cool-down, and stretching classes so they are all ready for me to hit play. I gather my workout clothes and put them in the bathroom so I can change without waking up my husband. Just those two actions have helped me so much with getting out of bed and just doing it! If I try to sneak in a workout later it feels so much more onerous and I *hate* getting ready twice in one day!
They say 2026 is the year of analog and I’m embracing it! Having to get ready twice is the worst, and it really is amazing how doing simple things like getting stuff ready the night before can make such a huge difference!
Friend! This is SUCH a great list. I have been slowly working to transition my recipes to cards, but this has officially lit a fire for me. Also, I'm off to download the todoist app.
What am I doing to eliminate decision fatigue and mental load? Daily-ish journaling... I always feel better and decide better when I am simply writing 3 pages a day. Getting my thoughts and feelings out of my head and onto paper changes so much for me.
These are great! And I am right there with you in regards to the "but when am I gonna shower" workout situation.
I keep a notebook, pens/markers/pencils, and a book in each of my purses so that I grab them instead of my phone when I'm waiting or when I have five minutes here or there.
Really inspiring post, Laura!
Thanks, Callie! Love the markers/pens/notebook + book in every purse idea…I’m always shuffling things from one bag to the other, but I should just stock all my bags with that stuff!
Well, I have a "I need another bag" problem, so probably you are being more responsible. :)
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 Decide Once’s are so helpful! I love your list. I am inspired to consolidate the multiple notes on my phone that hold lists of meals we like and recipes to try into one master list.
Thanks, Laura! A master meal list sounds like a great idea!!
Such good ideas here, Laura, and I’ve felt the same way about shower/workout timing. And meals. This is so helpful to read!
Thanks, Wendy! Glad to hear it’s helpful!
This is so good!! Dinner is the worst to figure out. We also do Friday pizza and that’s so nice to have a tradition. I’m also thinking how you said your oldest is out the door at 6:30!!
Friday pizza night is the best! Middle school and high school start so early here—7:35, but the school is 25+ minutes away and the dropoff line gets crazy the closer it gets to the bell so they like to get there right at 7!
The recipe cards idea is so good! I need to do that. There are so many recipes that I still look up all the time and have to remember where it was from (especially baking, since you can't really eyeball that). I like the idea of going analog!
And morning workouts are what work best for me, too. I choose my Peloton (cycling or strength) class the night before and "stack" it with warm-up, cool-down, and stretching classes so they are all ready for me to hit play. I gather my workout clothes and put them in the bathroom so I can change without waking up my husband. Just those two actions have helped me so much with getting out of bed and just doing it! If I try to sneak in a workout later it feels so much more onerous and I *hate* getting ready twice in one day!
They say 2026 is the year of analog and I’m embracing it! Having to get ready twice is the worst, and it really is amazing how doing simple things like getting stuff ready the night before can make such a huge difference!
Love these ideas! I plan my workouts for the week on Sundays and always set out my workout clothes and fill my water bottle the night before.
So smart!!
Friend! This is SUCH a great list. I have been slowly working to transition my recipes to cards, but this has officially lit a fire for me. Also, I'm off to download the todoist app.
What am I doing to eliminate decision fatigue and mental load? Daily-ish journaling... I always feel better and decide better when I am simply writing 3 pages a day. Getting my thoughts and feelings out of my head and onto paper changes so much for me.
Yes, I always feel so much better when I make time to get things out of my head and down on paper!!