"It has rescued me countless times."
Not to state the obvious, but life is exhausting. And although it doesn't come with a manual, these days, it does come with (mostly) unfettered internet access. So when redditor Apart-Location-804 asked the r/AskReddit community, "What's a life hack so good you almost don't want to share it?" I figured we could all benefit from a roundup of useful tips and tricks to make our daily lives run *just* a bit smoother. Here's the advice people had to offer:
"Gift shopping advice. Do you find it challenging to choose the perfect present for Christmas, birthdays, or other celebrations? I maintain a continuous list in the Notes app on my phone all year long. Whenever my friends or family hint at something they desire, we share a funny moment, or I have a creative spark, I quickly note it down next to their name. When it's gift-giving time, I simply refer to the list."
2. "When you're in the city and in need of a restroom, head over to a nice hotel. Their facilities are usually easy to find from the lobby and are well-maintained. Some even offer amenities like scented lotion and more."
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3. "In my role as a receptionist, my boss frequently inquires about our guests' opinions of me, even if they’ve been disrespectful to other team members. I have a little strategy: when a guest comes in who seems like a classic 'Karen', I make it a point to compliment them, saying something like, 'I love your nails! Where did you have them done? They're gorgeous!' It tends to do the trick."
4. "Attach a balloon to your vehicle when heading to a state fair or any crowded parking area where it's easy to lose track of your car! This tip has been incredibly helpful for me."
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5. "If you're searching for your phone at home and can't seem to locate it, try turning off all the lights and give it a call. Rather than solely relying on the ringtone, keep an eye out for the screen's glow. The light is much easier to notice than the sound, particularly if your phone is set to vibrate or low volume. I've retrieved my phone from behind the couch cushions countless times using this method. Watching the room illuminate like a little phone beacon is far more efficient than the frustrating hot-and-cold guessing game with ringtones."
6. "Choose a style of socks that you love and purchase 40 pairs. Discard all your old socks. This way, you can easily pick any two and they'll match. If one develops a hole, simply toss it out. You'll have plenty more just like it."
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7. "If you're not interested in watching the Super Bowl but still want to dine at a restaurant or catch a show at a theater that typically sees large crowds, Super Bowl Sunday can be an ideal time to visit. Since it’s not an official holiday, places remain open during their regular hours."
8. "At the beginning of each year, my wife reverses all her hangers so that the hooks are facing outwards. Whenever she wears an item and returns it to the closet, she flips the hanger back to its usual position. By the end of the year, any hangers that remain backward indicate unworn clothes, which we then either donate or sell on Poshmark if they’re in good condition and we feel motivated enough."
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9. "When composing an email, it's best to enter the recipient's email address at the end. This precaution helps prevent accidentally sending it prematurely or sending an unfinished message."
10. "Apply your perfume to your wrists immediately after using lotion. The moisturizer enhances the fragrance's longevity significantly. I've gone from needing to reapply in the middle of the day to having my perfume last throughout the entire workday."
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11. "I was thinking about what I need to be happy and concluded that I need three hobbies: creative, physical, and social. For social, I do board game nights weekly. This ensures I have something planned for the week to look forward to. For physical, I go to the gym, which, to be honest, I hate and have always hated, so I took up bouldering, too. This is a great hobby because it can also be very social, and it's also just fun. And for creative, I dabble in things like drawing, knitting, and other needlework. I also include reading here because it can make you think and imagine. If you play D&D, this can also be combined with social. I've been extremely happy since figuring this out for myself. I've always had a list of hobbies I want to try, but this helps me organize them."
12. "Make sure to stash a $20 bill in your phone case for unexpected situations. It has come to my rescue more times than I can remember."
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13. "I disabled the Mail app badge that shows the number of unread emails. This helps reduce my stress levels, and I still check my inbox from time to time."
14. "Duct tape is great for loosening stubborn jar lids."
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15. "I began purchasing Nintendo Switch chargers to power up any device with a USB-C connection. Each charger includes an outlet plug, eliminating the need for a separate brick for every cable, and they typically offer fast charging capabilities."
16. "Whenever you check into a hotel, consider requesting a corner room. These rooms tend to be larger due to the layout of the building but typically cost the same as standard rooms. Additionally, you'll have just one neighbor instead of two, which can provide more privacy. I've been making this request for years, and in around 80% of cases, they happily accommodate you without charging extra."
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17. "Chill your wine without watering it down by freezing grapes. Cheers!"
18. "We’ve established a specific place for items such as glasses, sunglasses, keys, and phones. Whenever someone in the house finds any of these things, they return them to their designated 'spot.' For example, if I happen to see my partner’s sunglasses just sitting around, I’ll bring them to the window ledge, which is our designated area for all glasses and sunglasses. This way, we both know exactly where to find things."
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19. "I purchase my Christmas cards on Boxing Day when they're discounted, allowing me to send one to each friend and family member the next Christmas."
20. "Legal strategy: In discussions or disputes, instead of focusing on the other person's stance, inquire about their underlying interests—essentially, ask 'why' they feel a certain way about an issue. This perspective often paves the way for finding common ground. Additionally, acknowledging a small aspect of their argument by saying, 'You make a valid point about X,' or, 'I can see where you're coming from with Y,' can help lower their defenses, facilitating a more productive dialogue. Remember, practicing active listening is crucial in this process."
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21. "Utilize the drafts folder in your email to keep essential information that you may require while on the move."
22. "In the kitchen: Embracing the concept of 'mise en place.' This French term translates to 'put in place.' Prior to beginning your cooking, gather and organize all your ingredients: from spices and sauces to prepped vegetables (chopped and ready for the bowl or pan). Having everything prepared in advance significantly reduces stress during the cooking process."
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