We are officially back in it! Homeschool mornings, co-op, piano, youth group, birthday parties, theater, soccer, and we already had our first spirit day at co-op. The highs this coming week are finally below 90 which is giving me the beginnings of fall butterflies, but whew, every August I realize I need to build my afternoon stamina back up a bit.

As we settle into our school-year rhythm, I’ve noticed myself really leaning into anything that makes everyday life run a little more smoothly. I have a tendency to martyr myself in the name of doing everything for my family, but I am now openly accepting assistance. 😉

Nothing on this list is groundbreaking, but they are things making life easier right now- saving time, eliminating a decision, or making the days run a bit more smoothly.

1. Audiobooks

Audiobooks (we use Audible- free trial here) have become one of my favorite things for all the time we spend in the car. The girls and I are listening to Peter Pan (the version read by Lily Collins) right now and really enjoying it. I’ve never read this classic and it’s SO good. I wish I could go back in time and read it to the girls before bed when they were younger. But we’re enjoying it now and there’s something nice about having a story we’re all following together, and it makes driving to and from all the things feel a little less like… driving to and from all the things.

They’re saving my personal reading life, too. I genuinely don’t think I could keep up with my monthly book club without audiobooks right now. I listen in the car, while walking Finley, folding laundry, or doing things around the house. I still love sitting down with an actual book, but during a full season of life, I am very happy to count listening as reading.

If you have younger kids, I’ve shared some of our favorite audiobooks for ages 7–10, too.

2. Simple, High-Protein Breakfasts on Repeat

I have almost zero desire to get creative with breakfast on a weekday morning right now. Lately it’s usually eggs with cottage cheese and a slice of toast or eggs, Greek yogurt with half a bagel. Sometimes beans. Simple, filling, plenty of protein, and everyone knows what to expect. Except for the kimchi. I have been adding it to mine and David’s plates in the morning for the gut health benefits, and even for David, who goes along with almost anything, it’s a bit of a stretch.

Right now I am fully embracing repetition. If something tastes good, makes us feel good, and I can make it without giving it much thought, there is a very good chance we’ll be eating it again tomorrow.

3. Grocery Delivery

This relatively new development in my life is proving to be quite life changing. Could I go to the grocery store myself? Of course. And I still enjoy it very much if I happen to be out and near the store. But if I can order the bulk of our groceries from the couch in 10 or 15 minutes instead of driving there, shopping, checking out, loading everything up, and driving home, I will happily take that option.

I signed up for Whole Foods delivery for an entire year for around $60 and I feel like it’s already saved me at least that much in gas money and lack of impulse purchases. There are certain conveniences that feel extravagant until you realize how much time and mental energy they give you back. For me, grocery delivery is absolutely one of them at the moment.

4. Having a Few Dinners I Don’t Have to Think About

This probably goes hand in hand with grocery delivery, but I am really appreciating our tried-and-true dinners right now. I love trying new recipes, but I don’t need every Tuesday night dinner to be a culinary adventure.

Having a loose plan for the week and relying on meals I know work for us takes away that 4:30 PM “wait, what are we eating tonight?” feeling, which is especially helpful when we’re walking in the door from one thing and heading out to another.

Basically, I’m giving myself full permission to repeat dinners just like I’m repeating breakfast.

5. Letting Finley Sleep With the Girls

This one is slightly less practical and perhaps my favorite.

Finley has apparently decided that as she gets older she should snore like a grown man. I love that dog dearly, but listening to her snore beside my bed all night was not doing wonderful things for my sleep. I could even hear her through my ear plugs!

She’s been sleeping with the girls more often lately, which they think is fantastic, Finley thinks is fantastic, and I am sleeping much better. Truly a win for everyone involved.

6. At-Home Workouts

I’m still really enjoying Madeline Moves, and I think one of the biggest reasons is that I don’t have to think about what I’m going to do. I put on workout clothes, chug my creatine and pre-workout, walk downstairs, open the app, hit the 30-minute option, and go.

I’ve learned that during busy seasons, removing as many barriers as possible is key for me. I don’t need to drive anywhere, come up with a workout, or convince myself I have an hour available. Thirty minutes is doable, I feel so much better when I get it done, and then I move on with my day.

7. Subscribe & Save

OK, I have officially changed my tune on this one. For the longest time I thought Subscribe & Save programs were kind of a gotcha. Like, aha! Now you’ll forget you signed up and we’ll just keep sending you this forever!

And honestly, I know that can happen from personal experience, which is why we comb through our credit card statements every so often. But I’ve finally realized how incredibly convenient it is for the things we use all the time anyway. Coffee, aminos, pre-workout, supplements, household basics… they just show up before we run out.

It sounds like such a tiny thing, but every item I don’t have to remember to reorder is one less mental note floating around in my head. I skip or push things back when we don’t need them, but for the products I know we’re going to use? Consider me converted.

When I look at this list, I think the common thread is really just fewer decisions.

I don’t want our schedule to be empty. A lot of what’s filling it right now is stuff we genuinely enjoy, and I love watching the girls get back into their activities and having our days feel full of purpose again. But when the calendar gets fuller, I need the everyday stuff to require a little less brainpower.

Now tell me yours! What’s something making your life easier right now? I’m fully in my convenience era and always looking for more ideas. 😄