It’s almost elegant, sometimes, how one person can come up with a way to streamline a small annoyance with a hack the rest of us have missed.
If you want to be the most prepared you can be for any ol’ situation, you need to have these life hacks in your back pocket.
Take a look!
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. This has never worked, not ever.
if you want someone to get more mad you tell them to “calm down”.
10. 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.
11. 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!
12. 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.
13. 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
14. 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.
15. 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
16. 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.
17. Cars keep track of it for you, now!
Regularly change the oil in your car. On time. Do it.
Will help it last longer.
18. 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!
19. You never know when it’s the last time.
Tell the people you love that you love them, more often.
20. 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.
21. It’ll save you a trip back inside later.
In a similar vein, I will say it out loud when I turn stove burners off, unplug my hair straightener etc…
I’ve found this helps me eliminate those moments where I leave the house or am in bed and I’m suddenly like “Did I leave that on?”
22. Don’t expect other people to do their research.
Google it first.
23. You only get one set of teeth!
Brush your teeth more thoroughly before bed after you are done eating and drinking for the day.
Morning brushing is important too, but more so for fresh breath; while evening cleaning will prevent bacteria from breeding and damaging your teeth and gums.
24. Too many of us need to do this these days.
Get into a routine of stretching your hip flexors and chest if you sit for long periods.
Absolute game changer for people who suffer with chronic lower back pain as a result of being hunched over a desk.
25. Perfect.
If you want to wear something white/ light in color, wear underwear that matches the color of your skin, not white.
26. It’s never too little.
5 minutes of daily exercise is infinitely better than 0 minutes and will make a big difference.
27. If you want to be tidy…
Train yourself to always keep an eye out for things that need to go in the direction you are going.
If you are about to go downstairs, does any item nearby need to go with you?
Perhaps a cup can be brought to the sink on your way to the bathroom.
28. You’ll never please everyone.
No matter how good a person you are, at some point you will be the bad guy in someone else’s story. You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try to. Be a good person, and have friendships with people you can respect and look up to.
Sometimes you’re the bad guy because you’re trying to be a good person. Like when your best friend of 15 years asks you do to something against your moral compass and you say no and they end the friendship and write a book about it. And you have to be okay with that.
29. We’re not changing our sheets often enough.
Sometimes changing your pillow case daily can help with acne. I use a clean t-shirt over my pillow to accomplish the same effect.
To add to this, a lot of people wash their face when they get up but not before bed. Washing before you sleep will help keep the pillow case cleaner and prevent breakouts. You don’t need to apply a ton of night cream or anything, just a medicated pad with salicylic acid will do. Your body will put moisture back on while you sleep and you’ll wake up with a less oily face. Do your morning routine and make sure to add moisturizer as needed in the morning instead.
Wash your sheets with unscented/sensitive detergent too! The perfumes are sometimes an irritant to the delicate skin on your face.
30. Hack your own mind.
If you have trouble choosing, flip a coin. While you’re waiting to get the result, your mind automatically starts to wish for what it wants. Then you can choose easily.
I’ve been doing this for big life decisions for years. Sometimes I don’t realize what I want, but instead realize it doesn’t matter and I just go with the flip result.
31. I’ve wasted a lot of honey.
Honey does not go bad, if it has gone solid it has just crystallized and can become liquid again with just a little heat.
32. Not everyone is worthy.
Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.
33. Just in case.
If you ever fall off a ship/ferry at sea and were lucky enough to be spotted – don’t try to swim your way to safety. The more you try to swim, the lesser the chances of survival. Just try to keep afloat and conserve energy (and body heat) while rescue team do what they’re supposed to. Unless you are in hypothermic waters, the best bet always is to stay afloat without trying to swim to somewhere.
This information about falling overboard, hypothermia and conditions, survival at sea etc are based on my own experience of 12 years sailing on merchant ships like this
34. Take a deep breath and do it.
In a lot of daunting situation, for example asking someone out or standing up for yourself, you only need to be brave for a few seconds to get it over with.
35. Unless you have a pillow top.
Turn your bed mattress when you renew your blanket.
Through time your mattress will deform and that can make you sleep worse.
36. 100% of the time.
If there’s a jar or container you can’t open, run the lid under hot water for a 30sec.
Dry it so you can get a good grip, then open. Never had this not work.
37. It will make you feel better, too.
If you have a spare minute or are just playing video games or on a computer at home, take a few minutes to just pet your dog/ cat and really appreciate them.
A phrase I heard somewhere just really stuck with me: Pets are only a part of your life but you are your pet’s entire life.
38. I am blown away.
Buy anything you’d need in your kitchen from a restaurant supply store. ANY-THING, plates, glasses, pans etc.
There are a few online that sell to consumers. Those $8.99 tongs at a box store are like $1.30. A 16 oz. mason jar glass that sells for $3-$4 a piece can be bought as a 12 pack case for $8.55. Oneida China plates that sell for $345.84 a case for $57.84.
I just bought a 2 foot by 2 foot wooden butchers block cutting board that would have been close to $400 for $55.
Also, this sh%t is built to last years in a commercial kitchen under constant use. It sure as shit can handle your Sunday brunch cooking a$s.
39. It really does make a difference.
Not necessarily a “hack” per se, but learn some basic knife skills, the amount of time you will save chopping vegetables a few times a week (minimum) for the rest of your life far outweighs the amount of time it takes to learn, plus you can use the extra time to keep the kitchen clean and that makes everything less stressful while you’re cooking and makes the cleanup faster as well
40. It does take practice, though.
Most of the time keeping your mouth shut is a great option.
41. That’ll save you some trips up the stairs.
To confirm which circuit breaker is associated to an outlet, plug in an old radio and turn the volume up before you flip the circuit breaker.
42. You have to trick yourself sometimes.
If you put something down temporarily, say out loud “I’ve put the screwdriver by the microwave” or whatever.
This engages many more areas of the brain (particularly the language centres) which creates a richer memory making it less likely you’ll forget where you put it.
43. If you’re not five minutes early, you’re late.
Whenever you have a time to be somewhere, aim to be there 15 minutes early, to allow for ‘time snags’ or for traffic.
People respect punctuality.
I feel like I can conquer the world right now, y’all.
If you’ve got a simple life hack that’s not on this list, tell us what it is down in the comments!
