So I was brushing my teeth with my kid’s toothpaste — again — because I forgot to grab mine during that last Target run (which turned into a $137 adventure for…nothing I needed). And it hit me: what smart people do differently isn’t that they’re just born that way. Nah, they just figure out small, sneaky ways to make life work better.
And sometimes? It’s not about being a genius. It’s about being lazy in the most productive way possible.
Like why do I only now realize you can microwave two bowls at once by placing one on an upside-down mug? I’m 38. Someone tell me where to return the last decade of inefficient leftovers.
Anyway, here’s a semi-chaotic list of 20 life hacks that smart people — or at least the cleverly lazy — do differently. Stuff I either picked up the hard way, stole from the internet, or overheard while eavesdropping at a coffee shop.
1. They Write Everything Down. EVERYTHING.
Not just grocery lists or appointments. I’m talking passwords (in a clever disguised way, duh), weird dreams, random brilliant ideas, and that one recipe you saw on TikTok at 2 a.m. smart people do differently , They don’t rely on their brain to be their hard drive — they know it’s basically a fried potato by 5 p.m.
2. They Set Calendar Events for Literally Everything
Water the plant? On the calendar. Replace the toothbrush? Every 3 months. Call Mom? Every Sunday at 3. I even put “scream into a pillow” once just to feel seen.
3. They Batch Dumb Tasks Together
Instead of unloading the dishwasher, folding laundry, and sorting mail at separate times (and complaining each time), do them in one go while listening to a podcast about murder or manifesting your dream life. Boom. Brain entertained, chores murdered.
4. They Use Voice Notes Like They’re 90% of Communication
I used to text like a sane person. Now? I send 3-minute voice rambles where I accidentally yawn mid-thought and forget what I was saying halfway through. Still more efficient than typing out my 4AM spiral.
5. They Don’t Touch It Twice
If it takes under 60 seconds — do it now. Don’t “put the dish in the sink” to “wash later.” That’s like saying “I’ll just cry about it tomorrow.” Future You is tired. Future You wants peace. Be kind.
6. They Have a “Drop Zone”
Mine’s a tray near the front door with keys, sunglasses, wallet, and emergency gum. That tray has saved my life more than my college degree has.
7. They Google EVERYTHING
Like, “how long does chicken last in the fridge” and “how do taxes.” No shame. Smart people don’t pretend to know it all — they just know where to find the answers fast.
8. They Delete Emails Like a Maniac
If I haven’t opened it in 2 days, I probably won’t. Unless it says “Your package has shipped,” it’s gone. Less digital clutter = less real-life stress. (Don’t @ me with your 45,294 unread count.)
9. They Don’t Rely on Motivation
Smart folks know motivation is flaky. Like, “texting back your ex at 2am” flaky. They build habits. Alarms. Rituals. That’s why they always seem motivated. It’s not magic — it’s muscle memory.
10. They Keep the Kitchen Scissors in the Fridge
Okay, this one’s weird. But if you snack on grapes, salad kits, string cheese, whatever — scissors in the fridge = always ready. Game. Changer.
11. They Use the “Good Enough” Rule
Laundry folded? Nah, mostly crumpled but in the right drawer? Good enough. Kid’s school lunch? Not Pinterest-worthy but not poisoned? Good enough. Dinner? Cereal? Fine.
12. They Learn the Keyboard Shortcuts
Copy, paste, screenshot, switch tabs. You save HOURS. Feels like hacking life with wizard fingers.
13. They Don’t Keep Clothes They Don’t Wear
That pair of jeans that almost fits? Donate it. Clothes that mock you are not welcome here. Only clothes that bring joy or let you breathe after tacos.
14. They Use Incognito Mode to Google Dumb Stuff
Because I do NOT need to be served ads for “how to flirt without being awkward” for the next month, thank you very much.
15. They Meal Plan Like It’s a Chill Game
I started calling it “Build Your Dinner Adventure” and suddenly planning meals isn’t a chore. Monday: something in a tortilla. Tuesday: involves cheese. Wednesday: “LOL who cares.”
16. They Pre-Pack Emergency Car Snacks
Like almonds, granola bars, or gummy bears (balanced diet). Because hunger in traffic turns me into a goblin.
17. They Fake a Morning Routine
I’m not a 5AM green juice girl. But I do the same three things when I wake up — stretch, drink water, check weather — and that tiny illusion of routine helps. Some days that’s as structured as it gets.
18. They Use the “10-10-10” Rule
Will this matter in 10 minutes, 10 days, or 10 years? If not? Let it go. Or at least don’t spiral about it in the shower (hi, anxiety).
19. They Hide Money From Themselves
Venmo savings. Envelopes. A literal sock. If I see money, I spend money. Smart me hides it from dumb me.
20. They’re Not Afraid to Be the “Weird One”
Smart people do differently ask “dumb” questions, use timers for breaks, talk to their plants, journal like it’s a therapy session, and bring their own utensils. They don’t care if it’s weird — they care if it works.
TL;DR?
Smart people aren’t superheroes. They just make small moves that save them time, stress, and brain space. And the best part? You can totally steal all of it.
So if you’ve ever found yourself crying because you forgot your password again, ate Goldfish crackers for dinner (again), or swore you’d “start fresh Monday” for the 23rd time — same.
But hey, now you’ve got a few new hacks to try. Even if you just start with one, that’s still one less thing to trip over tomorrow morning.
Final Thought (That Feels Like a Warm Hug)
No one’s got it all figured out. But the ones who seem like they do? They’ve just been collecting little tricks along the way. Kind of like emotional duct tape.
You’ve got this. You’re just a few hacks away from feeling like a smarter version of yourself.
Outbound Links:
- Rachel Hollis’s blog — for more real-talk life strategy vibes
- The Lazy Genius Collective — for making routines feel doable, not dreadful
