High maintenance things that I do to be low maintenance. What I mean by high maintenance is that these tasks are time consuming, require a lot of energy, or take a great deal of discipline. However, in the end, they make my day-to-day life so much easier.
High maintenance things that I do to be low maintenance. What I mean by high maintenance is that these tasks are time consuming, require a lot of energy, or take a great deal of discipline. However, in the end, they make my day-to-day life so much easier.
High Maintenance to be low Maintenance
Meal Prep or Ingredient Prep
I love to cook and not just for the food itself, but for the experience. Cooking engages so many of my senses including: touch, smell, taste, and even sound. There’s something incredibly calming about the process, from chopping vegetables to hearing the sizzle of a pan. I truly enjoy taking my time in the kitchen to create a meal, making it an experience rather than just a task.
However, during a busy week, I don’t always have the luxury of slow, intentional cooking. That’s why I love meal prepping (or at least ingredient prepping) at the start of the week. By setting aside time to prepare meals or chop ingredients in advance, it gives me quick and easy to eat options throughout the week. This way, I don’t have to stress about cooking when I’m tired or hungry.
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Wash and Style My Hair
Another high maintenance activity that I do once a week, that really helps me to be low maintenance throughout the week, is washing and styling my hair. If you have natural hair, you know that washing and styling your hair is not just a 10-to-20-minute process. It is literally a WASH DAY and can take hours.
From the actual shampoo and conditioner process to detangling, blow-drying, and styling, all of that can usually add up to two hours. This is why I like to do this activity on the weekends when I have more time within my day.
Because my hair is washed and styled every week, when I wake up in the morning, I don’t have to do much. It really helps to simplify my morning routine and makes it less stressful when getting ready in the morning.
Weekly Cleaning Session
Another thing that I love doing to simplify my daily routine, is cleaning my space weekly. This helps me stay on top of cleaning and maintaining an organized and overall tidy space.
When I say a weekly clean, trust me, I am NOT spending hours-on-and cleaning. I like to set a timer and allocate about an hour or two to clean. This keeps me focused on cleaning with a mission. Making sure I do it as quickly, efficiently, and effectively as possible. Also, because of my weekly cleaning sessions, the process often doesn’t take a whole lot of time. Considering that I’m starting from a somewhat clean and organized foundation.
Some tasks that I incorporate into my routine include vacuuming, mopping, cleaning the restroom, checking and cleaning out the fridge, sweeping, dusting, and just overall tidying up my space.
Sleep
I know it sounds silly, but sleep is one of the top high maintenance habits I follow to be low maintenance. I make it a priority to get adequate sleep every night and never compromise on getting less than six hours.
You might think, “Oh yeah, sleep—that’s just a basic, normal thing.” However, I consider it high maintenance because so many people don’t have the luxury of prioritizing it, especially a full eight hours. Whether it’s due to work, studying, or other life responsibilities, sleep is often treated as a luxury when, in reality, it’s a necessity.
There are countless benefits to a good night’s rest, and I can see the difference in my mood, productivity, and even my physical appearance. No wonder they call it beauty sleep!
RELATED: 15 Underrated Self Care Ideas to Practice Today
Prep Outfits for the Week
If you’ve ever woken up in the morning and found yourself staring at your closet, wondering, What am I going to wear today?, then try prepping your outfits for the week.
This process has helped me SO MUCH in simplifying my morning routine. Simply gather your outfits in advance and set them aside in a designated space, like a special drawer or a specific section of your closet. This way, when you wake up in the morning, you don’t have to waste time deciding what to wear.
This is especially great for prepping work outfits, making it so much easier to get ready in the morning. However, you can still leave some flexibility in your plan. If the weather changes, you can easily swap out pieces for something lighter or warmer to keep you comfortable.
Spend Time with Friends
Calling all introverts! Although it takes lots of effort, one high maintenance habit that I try to prioritize is spending intentional time in community with others.
Whether it’s going out for coffee with friends, having a group Bible study, or hosting a dinner party at home, prioritizing meaningful connections really helps to keep me grounded.
I don’t know about you, but I cannot do life alone. Everything feels easier, more fun, and less stressful when I surround myself with a strong community (especially a God centered one). Being in a space where we can encourage each other with biblical teachings and principles while simply doing life together makes all the difference.
