Configure Smart Routines: Life Should Be Easier, Not Harder
Routines have a bad reputation.
The mere mention of the word conjures images of draconian schedules and zero flexibility. But the truth? Smart routines don’t constrain you — they liberate you.
And the Lazy Genius philosophy isn’t about putting yourself on a rigid regimen that just makes you feel suffocated. It’s about creating routines that work for you, not against you. Ones that minimize decision fatigue, remove needless stress, and allow for flow in your day.
So here’s how to go about it.
The Power of Routines: Why They Transform Everything
Every time you make a decision — what to eat, what to wear, when to work out — you’re using mental energy. And at the end of the day, that energy is depleted. That’s why you’re tired, even when nothing major occurred.
Smart routines eliminate those repeated decisions, so you don’t have to worry about them every single day.
You just do them. Automatically. Without stress.
How to Develop Clever, Flexible Routines
A good routine is helpful, not constricting. Here’s how to create simple routines that work for you.
Make Your Morning Coffee (or Tea) Automated
If you need caffeine to operate in the morning, don’t waste precious minutes fumbling around with filters and measuring grounds half asleep. If you have an auto-brew feature, prepare your coffee maker the night before and schedule it.
Or, if you are a tea drinker, fill the kettle and put out your mug before bed. Small effort in the evening = no effort in the morning.
Create a “Drop Zone” by the DoorBreak Your Willpower UpCreate a “Drop Zone” by the Door
Ever spend precious minutes looking for your keys, wallet or bag when you’re on your way out?
Solve it in one easy step: set up a “Drop Zone” close to the door.
A small basket, hook, or a tray—whatever suits your fancy. The key (sorry, I had to) is always placing your essentials in the same spot the minute you walk in.
Say Goodbye to Dinner Guesswork
But deciding what to eat each night is tiring. But a complicated meal schedule? Also exhausting.
Solution? Theme Nights.
Taco Tuesday 🌮
Pasta Friday 🍝
Soup Sunday 🍲
It’s not about eating the same thing every week — it’s about lifting the mental load. Instead of beginning from zero, you have an already basic structure.
Have a “Sunday Reset” Routine
Weekend prep makes the whole week go smoother.
Toss in a load of laundry.
Take a look at your schedule for the week.
Replenish groceries or order a handful of must-haves.
Do a quick home tidy-up.
It doesn’t have to be big. Small steps that will get you on the right track.
Establish a Basic Skincare Routine
Your skin does not require 10 steps. Keep it simple and make it repeatable:
Morning? Cleanser + Moisturizer + Sunscreen
Night? Cleanser + moisturizer (serum if you’re fancy)
Done. No overthinking, no money wasted on products you don’t use.
Set Laundry Days (So It Doesn’t Accumulate)
The laundry is always going to be there. Rather than wait until it’s overwhelming, establish a rhythm:
Monday: Towels & sheets
Wednesday: Dark clothes
Friday: Light clothes
Say goodbye to the panic piles of laundry on Sunday night.
Keep a Running Grocery List
Instead of staring bleakly into an empty fridge (and realizing you forgot milk, eggs or coffee again), keep an ongoing grocery list on your phone.
Better yet? Create a shared digital list (on something like Google Keep or a grocery app) so everyone in the home can add items they want.
Create a “Nightstand Kit” for Bedtime
If your routine after dark is a bit chaotic, keep the essentials close to your bed:
A book (so you won’t just scroll forever)
Lip balm, hand lotion
A small glass of water
Where you need it, everything you need.
Batch Small Tasks Together
Rather than responding to emails all day long, carve out a designated time in your day to respond. Batch errands instead of running one every day.
A greater concentration of brain space = fewer interruptions.
Routines Make Life Simple, Not Complicated
Smart routines are not about doing more, but rather doing well. They’re about eliminating stress, reducing choices, and helping life run more smoothly.
So what routine can you put in place to free up your time and energy?
Start small. Pick one thing. Try it out. Adjust as needed.
The point is not perfection — it’s ease. And you deserve that. ✨