40 Simple Decisions to Make Daily Life a Breeze
We make thousands of decisions every day. Should I wear this or that, or this other thing... or should I buy something new? Should I eat this or that? Should I answer my phone or let it go to voice mail? Should I do this task first, or that one? Should I take the short cut or the scenic route? Should I cook or go out, or order in, or just eat a bowl of Cheerios? Should I read this book, or check social media, or go to bed early?
2. Always wear the same pair of shoes and carry the same purse for work or errands.
3. Choose a signature piece of everyday jewelry.
4. Buy multiples of a favorite tank or tee.
5. Settle on one brand and color of socks and underwear to avoid sorting.
6. Choose a simple everyday hairstyle.
7. Declutter makeup to five products or less.
8. Decide on a daily wakeup and bedtime.
Meals and kitchen
10. Always stock at least one "emergency" dinner. This could be frozen pizza, canned soup, or even boxed macaroni and cheese with canned tuna and frozen mixed veggies.
On and on it goes, day after day. Decision fatigue is a real thing.
Someone has done the math. A study conducted by Barclays Plan & Invest in the UK found that we spend about 2.5 hours every day making these small but necessary decisions. This huge effort steals time and attention we could be spending on more important things, like relationships, big projects, and long-term plans.
That's why the simplest decisions can make so much difference to your happiness.
What do I mean by simple decisions? I'm talking about the habits and repeatable choices that reduce the number of things you have to think about every day. They help reduce decision fatigue, create consistency, and declutter your brain. Make these intentional choices just once, and each day becomes smoother, leaving you more time and energy for important and creative pursuits.
Whether you decide to wear the same outfit every Monday, do certain household chores in planned rotation, or choose a go-to baby shower gift*, you reduce stress and make life easier.
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These aren't rigid rules. You'll stick with them as long as they work for you, and make adjustments as necessary. They're not about being perfect; they're about adding peace and mental clarity every day.
Simple decisions to try today
Here are 40 examples you can try in your home and daily routine. They're not fancy systems or strict schedules – they're doable choices you make once for daily ease.
Some of them may seem so small you'll wonder if they matter, but believe me – they add up. Just as clutter builds one item at a time, simplicity increases with each small decision.
Don't think you have to try everything! In fact, I'd suggest you choose one or two that make sense to you and test them this week. If they help you, keep them. If not, give them up and try something else.
By the way, this list of simple decisions isn't a definitive, cover-all-bases guide. I'm sure you can think of others I've left out. For situations you personally deal with every day, decide once so you don't have to muddle through extraneous choices unnecessarily.
Clothing and personal care
1. Create a personal uniform.
2. Always wear the same pair of shoes and carry the same purse for work or errands.
3. Choose a signature piece of everyday jewelry.
4. Buy multiples of a favorite tank or tee.
5. Settle on one brand and color of socks and underwear to avoid sorting.
6. Choose a simple everyday hairstyle.
7. Declutter makeup to five products or less.
8. Decide on a daily wakeup and bedtime.
9. Eat the same breakfast Monday through Friday every week.
10. Always stock at least one "emergency" dinner. This could be frozen pizza, canned soup, or even boxed macaroni and cheese with canned tuna and frozen mixed veggies.
11. Always make double and freeze half when cooking soups or casseroles.
12. Keep a bowl of fresh seasonal fruit for quick and healthy snacks.
13. Plan meals and make a grocery list on Sundays (or another day that works for you).
14. Grocery shop the same day and time each week.
15. Keep kitchen counters clear. They're easier to work on and keep clean, plus your kitchen looks calm and orderly.
16. Clean and reset the kitchen after dinner. If everyone helps, it doesn't take that long, and you'll really appreciate it in the morning.
Related article: 15 Clever Ways to Zero-Out Clutter in Your Kitchen
Household
17. Create an entryway solution for shoes (a basket, shelf, etc.), and make a rule about how many shoes one person can have by the door.
18. Put a small laundry basket in each bedroom.
19. Fold or hang laundry straight from the dryer to reduce ironing and avoid overflowing baskets of clean clothes.
20. Run the dishwasher every night, even if it's not completely full. Empty it every morning. (It takes about two minutes!)
21. Wipe bathroom counters and mirrors every morning after you've finished getting ready. Use the hand towel, then swap for a clean one.
22. Keep routine cleaning supplies in a caddy you can carry from room to room.
23. Do household chores on the same schedule every week.
24. Don't just put something down – make a habit of putting it away. It takes a lot less effort than dealing with piles later.
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Finance and logistics
25. Designate a home for your purse/wallet, keys, and phone, and use it every time.
26. Pick one or two days for errands and appointments to simplify your schedule and avoid multiple trips.
27. Always park in the same general area at stores you visit regularly (grocery store, Target, etc.). You'll never have to search for your vehicle in a crowded parking lot.
28. Set up auto-pay for savings and recurring bills.
29. Unless a purchase is under warranty, keep receipts for just one month or until you reconcile your bank statement.
30. Sort the mail every day.
31. Check email and social media only at one or two specific times each day.
32. Keep a family calendar so everyone can see plans for the week.
Social life and gifting
33. Once or twice a year, host an easy gathering such as brunch, homemade soup with bread, or a barbecue potluck.
34. Choose your own signature dish to take to all potlucks.
35. Always say no to invites on your rest day. (Have a rest day!)
36. Keep a stash of all-occasion cards and stamps with your address book. Use them for everything (except Christmas) by writing your own message inside.
37. Set reminders for birthdays on your phone, and have them repeat yearly.
38. Your children's teachers will love a handwritten note and a gift card from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Starbucks.
39. Use one go-to gift for kid birthday parties all year, such as a reusable sticker playset, a classic Lego set, three card games in a storage tin, or a folding beach bucket plus bubbles and sidewalk chalk. Make gift wrap easy with these bags.
40. Put your phone down and make it a habit to smile and greet strangers. It makes waiting in line so much nicer, and maybe they need the friendly connection too!
Make the easy choice.
Think of these choices as mental decluttering, a chance to take a few things off your plate so you can focus on what really matters: your mission, your family, your health, and your joy.
Try one or two this week and pay attention to how they feel. If they make life a little easier and a little more predictable (in a good way), that's a win!
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