Adulting 101: 10 Life Hacks You Need to Know Right Now

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Adulting.

Life as an adult is weird. You have responsibilities and can make your own decisions, but everyone’s trying to “one up” each other.. Have you noticed that? You bake a cake from a box, someone bakes one from scratch. You DIY your living room, someone styles theirs to look exactly like Pinterest. You eat a salad, someone starts Whole 30.

What’s up with that?!

Adulting isn’t easy but there are ways to make it easier. This week I started thinking of life hacks I would tell my younger self if given the chance. I asked myself, What everyday tasks have I “hacked” to make life easier and more efficient?

Some of these are no brainers, but they’re just as important! What are your life/adulting hacks?

Wash your face.

Take off that makeup and go to bed with a clean face. There is dirt and gross stuff in those pores. Ain’t nobody got time for breakouts.

Make your bed as soon as you wake up.

Do not delay. As soon as you wake up, get up and make your bed. Not only will it make your room look and feel cleaner, it eliminates the urge to jump back in for “five more minutes.”

Start your day disconnected.

When you wake up, avoid the temptation to scroll on Instagram or check Twitter. Your brain is still waking up and the last thing you need for a productive day is to start by reading other people’s thoughts and comparing their lives to yours. Create a morning routine that avoids the phone if at all possible (I’m still trying to do this, too).

Buy white towels.

Laundry will be easier, trust me. You can throw all of them in the wash and just add bleach. Done and done. It’s simple, and honestly genius. Sure, there are towels that come in pretty colors but you’ll thank me later when you go for the white ones!

Wash your fruits and veggies.

When you return home from the grocery store, immediately wash your fruits and veggies. If possible, put them in a bowl so you can easily grab a handful when you open the fridge. This allows you to immediately see what you have, and avoids the possibility of forgetting you have them in the first place. I would always buy fruit and forget I did until it was too old to eat. By washing them immediately, I know they’re good to go so I eat them faster!

Create a grocery list as you go.

Keep a grocery list on the fridge and write down items you need as you go. This helps you prepare for the upcoming grocery trip and helps you stay on track when you’re walking up and down the aisles. If you don’t know what you need, you’ll buy what you don’t need! This is an easy tip to stay organized and on budget.

Drink that water, girl.

I know, I know…coffee is WAY more delicious. Water, however, is necessary to great health. Drink water every day. Put some lemons in it if that helps. Do what you gotta do, but stay hydrated!

Create a budget (and keep it!)

Adulting is all about the budget. When you’re an adult, all of a sudden you’re aware of how much everything costs! It definitely makes you think twice about purchasing something, but take it one step farther. Create a budget, and then keep it. Be realistic. Give yourself spending money for the times you want to buy a new shirt or grab a coffee. If it’s in the budget, you won’t feel guilty for spending it. Section out categories like Tithing, Rent/Mortgage, and Groceries. Challenge yourself to go under budget if at all possible. You’ll feel accomplished when you hit your goals!

P.S. Don’t forget to budget out how much you want to save each month, too!

Write down everything.

And I mean everything. Even if you have the best memory, write it down. To-dos, phone numbers, memos, thoughts. By writing it down, it tricks the mind into being less stressed. You won’t have to worry about forgetting something or misremembering. I rely on my planner for everything, even if it’s something I know I won’t forget. Get in the habit of writing things down. You won’t regret it!

Ask for help.

Nobody has it all figured out. Nobody is perfect, and regardless what you may see on social media, nobody has it all together. Ask for help and take advice. We have to stick together in this crazy adulting phase of life. It’s not a sign of weakness to admit you don’t have it all together (and that’s okay).