Welcome back to The Monthly Standard: a monthly check-in for raising the standard of everyday living. Each month, I share what I'm focusing on, changing, and trying in my home, routine, and habits — and how I’m designing the month ahead intentionally. My hope is to give you a modern version of that lost magazine ritual. Settle in with a coffee and peruse the pages to find inspiration in everyday living.

The Monthly Standard

Raising the standard of everyday living

September makes me feel like I should be getting all my supplies together to go back to school. No matter how many years it’s been since I’ve been in a classroom, this time of the year feels like a new beginning — the beginning of fall, the beginning of the last stretch of the year.

It’s also the time of year where I feel an intense urge to get my life together, a second New Years if you will.

This month I’m getting back into all my best routines — keeping the house tidy, getting good sleep, and moving my body. I’m embracing the fall coziness but I’m also trying my best to maintain good habits.

I’m looking forward to nights getting a little slower, dark coming a little earlier, and leaning more into my home.

In This Issue

Home, habits, and the rhythm of September

• At Home

  Making my home feel like September

• In the Kitchen

  Fall meals — but with fresh summer produce

• Living Well

  My September habit experiment

• Hobby Hour

  One hour a week devoted to learning something new

• Entertainment Beat

  A handful of things I’m looking forward to this month

• Little Luxuries

  The return of cozy evenings

One way I’m leaning into my home is by making it feel like September.

After a busy summer, my house is looking a little neglected.

To get it back on track, I’m committing to giving it a top to bottom clean throughout September.

Each week, I’ll pick an area of the house and give it a deep clean. I’m also adding a fall twist. After it’s clean, I’ll pick one thing to change in the room that makes it feel more like fall.

And that doesn’t have to mean buying plastic decor.

Here are some ways I plan on adding fall touches:

• Kitchen: displaying wood cutting boards, displaying warm toned kitchen towels vs cool toned, adding this cute cordless lamp

• Living Room: swapping lightweight blankets for heavier/chunkier ones, add an extra lamp (or switch to warmer toned light bulbs if you haven’t yet)

• Bathroom: swapping my lightweight robe to a heavier one

• Bedroom: switching back to my heavier duvet insert, switching back to fuzzy house shoes

• General Areas: put away summer specific items, make room for winter boots/jackets, put away summer shoes/bags

It’s less about making the house look like fall, and more about making it feel like fall — heavier fabrics, softer light, just more cozy.

PS … I’m dropping a new full fall reset series next Sunday so keep an eye out for that!

I’m already feeling the itch for warmer, cozier fall meals. But my garden is still churning out all sorts of summer produce.

So for September I’m on a mission to start making those fall meals, but with a fresh summer produce twist.

Here are a few I’m going to try out:

• Spaghetti and meatballs (with a fresh tomato sauce)

• Pot roast (with garden potatoes and carrots)

• Eggplant parmesan (fresh eggplant and fresh sauce)

• Tromboncino squash soup (supposedly tastes like butternut squash, I’m so excited to try it!)

Plus, a new at-home coffee syrup:

I’m also itching to add some fall flavors to my morning lattes. Sadly though, I do not enjoy pumpkin (I know, I’m the weird one here), so I think the first one I’m going to try is this toasted marshmallow syrup I saw on TikTok:

@sofia_hrdzToasted Marshmallow Syrup 🏕️☕️🤍 Ingredients: * 10-12 large corn syrup-free marshmallows * 1 cup water * ¼ cup granulated sugar * ¼ cup light brown sugar * 1 tsp vanilla extract * Pinch of salt Toast the marshmallows until deeply golden brown. Add the toasted marshmallows, water, granulated sugar and brown sugar to a saucepan and heat over medium-low, whisking frequently, until melted and smooth. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and salt, then allow to cool before transferring. If needed, add up to ½ cup more water until it reaches your desired consistency #toastedmarshmallow #coffeesyrup #coffeeathome #homecafe #coffeerecipe

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It seems like the perfect flavor to transition from summer to fall, so September!

I started August wanting to get back to a really good wellness routine. And I’ve managed to stay on track and create a routine I enjoy, so September is all about maintaining that.

But I’m also ready to try some new things … with a September, fall twist.

So let me share with you my September habit experiment.

September Habit Experiment

Do the following at least twice, every week of September:

• fall foliage walk (notice the number of leaves changing/falling)

• evening walks after dinner

• take your lunch break outside

• read outside for at least 30 minutes

By the end of the month, I’ll have spent intentional time enjoying the cool weather and the changing season.

If you’ve made it this far, I hope this issue has inspired you to slow down and enjoy September a little more intentionally.

Paid subscribers can continue reading for a look into the new hobby I’m learning, this month’s entertainment lineup, and the September ritual I’m looking forward to.

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It's time for another edition of Little Luxuries. If you're new here, this is my ongoing excuse to celebrate the small things that make everyday rituals a little more enjoyable.

In the first edition, I shared a few everyday rituals that I chose to intentionally upgrade with little luxuries. I talked about the elevated feel of an at home turndown service, my go to selfcare ritual when I need some extra attention, and the bedding swaps that have made sleep even sweeter.

This time around, we’re in the kitchen.

And let me just say — you don't need a luxury kitchen to make your time in the kitchen feel luxurious.

To me, little luxuries have never been about buying the most expensive version of something. They're about noticing the ordinary rituals that make up your life and finding small ways to make them more enjoyable. And because we spend so much time cooking, eating, and gathering in the kitchen, it's one of the easiest places to raise the standard of everyday living.

Here are a few kitchen rituals I've been making a little more special lately:

Happy Hour at Home

Happy hour at home is a ritual me and my partner started earlier this year. Each Friday, as soon as we’re done with work, we make a drink and an appetizer, and enjoy happy hour at home. You get the fun of a happy hour, but without leaving the house or paying an arm and a leg for a cocktail. It’s especially perfect in good weather when it can be enjoyed on the patio. I basically look forward to this all week long.

Frequently it’s martinis, occasionally it’s cosmos, and sometimes it’s just wine, but it’s always a great start to the weekend. I also have so much fun trying out new appetizers and snacks.

Because of this little tradition, I’ve found it’s worth investing in some nice glassware. Over time I’ve collected all our drinking glassware from Crate & Barrel. For me, it just makes sense to have some nicer glassware that I actually enjoy using — it makes me way more likely to have happy hour at home versus going to the overpriced place in town.

Happy Hour at Home starter pack: my go-to huge, thin wine glass / a gorgeous 3 part server / the classiest martini glass

A quick note: some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only share the little luxuries I love and use in my own everyday rituals.

Slow Sunday Dinners

I’m someone that enjoys cooking, and I’m always looking to improve my cooking skills and try new recipes. One of my favorite ways to do this is with slow Sunday dinners. Basically, every Sunday I try a new recipe that’s a little more involved than what I would want to make throughout the week. And I try to make as much as possible from scratch.

I throw on a good playlist, pour a glass of wine, grab my favorite cookware, and spend my Sunday evening making a delicious, luxurious dinner.

Slow Sunday Dinner essentials: a functional but pretty recipe journal / my favorite cookware set that doesn’t break the bank / an adorable striped apron

One Small Upgrade: Write out your recipe beforehand so you’re not having to constantly reach for your phone — it makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable!

I think about Sunday dinner all week long. Try it out the next time you have a slow Sunday!

Some of my recent slow Sunday dinners: spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pot roast, chicken parm, french onion soup, roast chicken

Use The Good Dishes

For a long time I didn’t see the purpose of nice glassware. To me it was something to be stored away for company, or for special occasions.

But why should we save our nice stuff for a special occasion that might never come? I say we use it while we can.

So I set my table every day. A table runner, candle holders, cloth napkins, placemats, our best plates. Yes, even if we’re having grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner.

Are they necessary? No.

Do they make everyday life feel special? Absolutely.

A few things to make your everyday table more enjoyable: cozy placemats / a classic linen table runner / the best linen napkins, in so many colors

Want to see everything in one place? Explore the Little Luxuries: Kitchen Edition collection.

Sweet Treat O’Clock

A while back I talked about having a dessert of the week as a way to add more joy into everyday life. I still do this, and that means most nights I have some sort of sweet treat while I watch tv and wind down. There’s just something so cozy about ending each night with a special treat while freshly showered in some nice pajamas.

Sweet treat accompaniments: classic, quality bakeware with cute design touches / the cutest little ceramic bowls, perfect for a nightly sweet treat / my sweet treat partner in crime: a Le Creuset tea kettle

Plus, some of my recent favorite sweet treats:

• chocolate covered strawberries (I prep them ahead of time)

• peach cobbler (or any fruit cobbler for that matter)

• frozen fruit bars (when I want to feel healthy)

• ice cream (always keep some on hand)

• chocolate chip cookies (a classic)

A Little Prep for Future Me

Each week I like to prep a few things in the kitchen to make food more readily available, especially the healthier options.

I’ll prep fruits and veggies, shred cheese if I’m going to need it throughout the week, make breakfast sandwiches, and a lot of the times I’ll make some component of my lunch. Then, throughout the week it’s like you hired a private chef to make your life easier.

While this may not seem like the most luxurious addition to the kitchen, you are making life better for future you. Setting aside an hour at the beginning of the week makes the rest of my week easier AND makes me eat better — that’s real luxury.

A few prep staples: a really nice Japanese chef’s knife / my absolute favorite wood cutting board / a juicer to make homemade wellness shots + green juice

At the end of the day, I don’t think making everyday life feel a little nicer has to be complicated. Sometimes it’s creating a tablescape for no reason, trying your hand at a fancy cocktail, buying fruit in season, or spending two hours making a dinner that absolutely could have taken 30 minutes.

The point isn’t to make every moment feel special. It’s just to notice the moments that already have the potential to be — and lean into them a little.

So yes, use the good stuff, even on a Wednesday.

Continue Your Reading …

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What should I make for dinner?
When should I wash the sheets?
When should I go grocery shopping?
When should I clean the bathroom?
What should I do tonight?

None of them are particularly difficult decisions, but there are hundreds of them.

I decided I was tired of making so many decisions every day.

That’s when I started creating defaults for my life.

A default is simply a decision you’ve made ahead of time. It’s what you do unless there’s a reason to do something different.

They don’t have to rigidly control your life, but they give you something to fall back on on those days where you simply don’t have the energy to make another decision.

Defaults have completely changed my life. I no longer feel exhausted all the time from making a thousand decisions each day. Thanks to my defaults, I can save my mental energy for the things I actually want to spend it on.

So, I want share a few of my personal favorite defaults, and then show you how to create some defaults in your own life.

The Top Defaults That Run My Life For Me

01 — Weekly Meal Plan

Instead of having to decide every single night what’s for dinner, I create a weekly meal plan at the beginning of my week. That way, my meals for the week are already decided. I also plan my breakfasts and lunches for the week and make it even easier by setting only one lunch and one breakfast choice. Just like that, I eliminated 3 choices I had to make every day.

For a full breakdown on my weekly meal plans, and other food systems, you can read my full food systems post:

02 — Weekly Cleaning Schedule

My weekly cleaning schedule went viral for a reason — it makes everything so simple.

I no longer have to decide each day if I need to clean something, what all needs to be done, or which area I should clean first.

I just follow my cleaning schedule.

For example, here’s my weekly breakdown:

Monday: laundry

Tuesday: bathroom(s)

Wednesday: kitchen

Thursday: living room/general spaces

Friday/Saturday: nothing

Sunday: bedroom(s)

I spend 20 minutes, 5 days a week instead of wasting my whole weekend or chaotically doing random bits here and there. I no longer spend massive amounts of mental energy on cleaning. It’s truly amazing.

If you’re still a little skeptical, check out the Q&A post I did about it:

03 — My Daily Routines

Routines will set you free, or maybe more accurately, set your mind free.

Instead of waking up and having to make a series of decisions about what you need to do and in what order, having a routine means those decisions are already made for you. And the same goes for when you get home each day.

And the best part? It’s not set in stone. You don’t have to do these routines every day for the rest of your life. And life will happen — not every morning and night will exactly follow the routine. But having default routines in place means you’ll always have a good routine to fall back on that makes a lot of decisions for you.

Want to build some routines? Start here:

04 — Grocery Routine

Each week, my grocery routine is the same.

On Mondays I create my weekly meal plan and grocery list, and clean and tidy the fridge. On Tuesday mornings I go to the grocery store. And then on Tuesday evenings I prep some food and ingredients to make the week smoother and healthier.

Obviously there are weeks that we’re out of town or something else happens, but 90% of the year this is what my grocery routine looks like, and it’s simplified so much.

One Small Upgrade: If you know you’re going to be prepping a lot of food or ingredients one day, plan on doing a low effort, slow cooker dinner. With that extra time in the kitchen, you’re probably going to have no energy left to make a full dinner. I do this every week and it’s a game changer.

Ready to build your own defaults?

My defaults are useful as examples, but the real payoff comes from identifying the decisions that you keep making over and over again. Below, I’m walking paid subscribers through exactly how to turn those recurring decisions into defaults — and giving you a list of areas in your own life to start with.

Read more

But it’s one thing to say “wellness can be simple” and another to actually build a life around that idea.

So what does my version of low effort wellness actually look like?

It doesn’t revolve around a 5 a.m. wake up, or a cabinet full of supplements, and definitely not hours of intense workouts every week.

Routines only stick around if you have low effort versions you can fall back on, and if you make them flow with your everyday life.

For me, low effort wellness looks like:

• making the healthy choices as easy as possible

• having options for low energy days

• knowing what makes me feel the best

• a holistic, intentional approach to a life well lived

• prioritizing mental health just as much as the physical

And most importantly, I don’t expect everyday to look the same. Not every habit will happen every day, and that’s okay (and very normal). Creating shame around my wellness routines will only make it harder to stay on track during periods of low motivation or low energy.

And there’s one mindset shift that makes the biggest difference:

I’m not doing these things so I can look like people on social media, I’m doing these things to take care of myself.

So, if that sounds like a wellness approach you can get behind, I’m sharing what my low effort wellness routine looks like on a normal day, from morning to night.

My Low Effort Wellness Routine

7:00 AM — Slow wake up

I’ll admit it, I’m a chronic snoozer. I usually snooze at least once before I get up. Lately, I’ve been letting myself snooze once and then scroll on my phone for 10 minutes. I know this is not the best habit from a wellness stand point, but hey we’re trying to be realistic here. And when I do it this way, I’m much happier than when I force myself to wake up on that first alarm. Perhaps this is my guilty pleasure.

The scrolling comes in because I’ve found it’s the only thing that keeps me awake first thing. Without the motivation of my phone, I will literally snooze multiple times. If it’s the difference between me waking up at a decent time or snoozing my alarm a thousand times, I’ll take the 10 minutes of screen time. It’s what works for me and helps me start my day sooner, which helps me get in more wellness habits.

And on a very low effort day, I might watch an episode of tv while I fully wake up. The important part is not letting a slow morning ruin the rest of my day.

I think knowing your body and being realistic about your wake up time is a very important step in finding a wellness routine that is actually sustainable for you.

I tried to force myself for so long to be an early riser, but I’m just not. I would stick to a 5 am wake up and strict morning routine for two weeks and then I wouldn’t do any of it for two months because I hated it so much. Now, I build my routines around how I naturally am, and I’m actually able to stick to my routines way more than I used to.

7:30 AM — An easy, healthy breakfast and some time outside

Because I don’t really like mornings, I try to make everything as easy as possible. That includes breakfasts. I pretty much always pre-prep my breakfasts in some way.

Usually that means I prepped something earlier in the week (breakfast sandwiches, wraps, egg bites). And other times that just means easy things to throw together like smoothies or yogurt bowls. I detail some of my favorites here.

So I grab my breakfast and head outside for some fresh air and sunlight.

It’s beneficial for your circadian rhythm to get outside pretty soon after waking up, not to mention the wonders it’s done for my nervous system. There’s also nothing better than spending your morning reading on the porch before you start your day.

Sometimes if I know I’m walking outside that morning, I won’t eat breakfast outside. Or if the weather is bad. In those cases, my outside time moves to later in the day.

8:00 AM — Movement

My two main forms of movement are walking and pilates.

Some mornings I only do pilates, some mornings I only walk. Most mornings I do some kind of combination. I think this mix is what keeps me consistent. If I do the exact same thing every morning, I get bored. And this way I’m more in tune with my body.

Usually I’ll just walk by my house, or sometimes even inside on my walking pad, but it’s also a fun way to explore some trails and paths around my area. I usually save those for when I feel like I need to break up the monotony of the work week.

The philosophy behind it

Do I necessarily want to move every morning? Absolutely not. There are mornings I don’t want to get out of bed. And every once in a while, I’ll let myself have a lazy day, but really the thing that keeps me motivated to do this routine is how much better I feel when I do it.

When you build a routine that feels good, it almost becomes harder to not do it.

12:00 PM — Lunch break = an actual break

I see so many people talk about eating lunch at their desk. Unless you really have to, what are you doing? To me, a lunch break is not just a break to eat, it’s a mental break too. And I’m making the most of my break.

I try to make my lunch as easy as possible so I have time for other things.

That usually means prepping a few components ahead of time or prepping a big batch of something.

The time that saves me on my lunch break gives me extra break time. I might use that extra time to get outside, take a quick walk, or catch up on some house chores — anything not work related that will break up the work day.

+ Movement throughout the work day

As someone who works from home, I really have to force myself to get my steps in. I could easily sit at my desk all day, but that’s not good for me.

So my rule is I have to get up every hour on the hour.

Some examples: I take a few minutes for a bathroom break, refill water, switch over laundry, maybe do a few small things around the house, or sometimes it’s truly just a few laps around the house.

Not only does this keep me from sitting all day, it gives me that quick little mental reset too which helps the day go by so much faster.

5:00 PM — I close out the work day and tidy my space

Perhaps controversially, I consider a lot of normal things “wellness”. To me, leaving work behind at the end of the day is peak wellness. I want to fully put away work thoughts so I can focus on my real life and having a good evening.

So, the last 10 minutes of work I take time to quickly review the next day, write down any important tasks not done, close everything out, and intentionally say okay, work is done for the day. I find that “brain dumping” everything still on my mind helps me leave all of that at work and not think about it throughout my night.

Then, I take advantage of the work day momentum by getting a few things done. I usually do a 10 minute tidy, which keeps my home virtually clutter free — which is so important for my version of wellness. My mental clarity heavily depends on a clean house. And I’m willing to bed yours does too, even though you might not realize it.

I try to just get straight into my evening instead of “taking a break” or doom scrolling, because I know that will just spiral and I’ll end up feeling like I wasted my night, which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid with my wellness habits.

So I like to take care of any “chores” right after work, that way once I’m done I can fully relax into my evening and do the things that bring me joy.

That’s realistic wellness.

5:30 PM — I do something just for joy

At this point, the evening is mine to do whatever I want with it.

Although it may not fall under the conventional definition of wellness, hobbies are such an important part of my wellness routine.

Making time for the things I love is another way of showing care to myself. Hobbies have shown lots of mental health benefits. And mental health is a very important part of overall wellness.

I usually use this time to read, garden, or work on whatever new hobby I’m taking up. Or, if I want to walk some more, I’ll call friends and family while I walk outside. The main goal is to do something that brings me joy.

And whenever possible, I try to spend this time outside. A lot of wellness trends revolve around regulating nervous systems, and I agree it’s important, but sometimes it’s as simple as getting outside more. Even just 20 minutes outside can drop your cortisol levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, while raising your serotonin and dopamine.

6:30 PM — I make a healthy dinner at home

I think we often forget how simple wellness can actually be. You’re likely doing some of the most important components already. Eating dinner at home is leaps and bounds healthier (and cheaper) than takeout and fast food. Wellness can be as simple as eating most dinners at home.

If you’re looking for a simple approach to easy and healthy weeknight dinners, I shared some of my methods here:

8:00 PM — I shower, get in bed early, and watch an episode of my show

TV as part of a wellness routine? What? I know, it sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out.

I literally look forward to my tv time every day. I do everything “right” throughout the day so that I can have my tv time.

I sort of used to feel guilty about this. Most wellness content out there would have you believe that watching tv couldn’t possibly be part of a wellness routine.

For me, it’s about balance and moderation.

Wellness is more than constant productivity. It's balancing health with enjoyment — movement and nutrition, but also rest, relaxation, and the simple pleasures of everyday life.

There’s nothing wrong with taking an hour to wind down from the day and just relax. And I would argue it’s actually good for you.

9:30 PM — Scheduled scrolling time

If you’ve noticed, I’ve barely mentioned my phone. And that’s intentional.

I try my best to not be on my phone throughout the day. I allow 10 minutes first thing in the morning because it helps me get up on time, but I do not scroll throughout the day. I barely even pick up my phone until I get into bed for the night. And I cherish this practice so much. I honestly prefer to leave my phone in the same spot for hours. I’m at my happiest when I forget it exists.

If you’re in a bad cycle of scrolling during the day, I strongly encourage you to try and limit your usage. For me, setting a timed “TikTok session” at the end of the day has helped. I give myself 30 minutes after tv time to scroll on my phone. And again, this might seem counterintuitive to wellness, but setting these limits and building my “bad habits” into my schedule has helped keep them manageable. It’s actually made my days more productive because I know I’ll get “free time” later.

The philosophy behind it, simplified

I make myself focus during the day, and front load my productivity, so that I can fully relax at night because I know I did what I needed to do that day.

I’ve found that on days that I “slack”, I end the day feeling guilty and I can’t fully relax, which creates a vicious cycle. It’s better if I let my bad habits have a place in my routine, in a smaller, controlled way than constantly fighting them (and usually losing).

One Small Upgrade: Your phone has a red light setting. I made the switch in settings and now each night around 9 I make sure my phone is on red light mode. This completely blocks the blue light that keeps you up and strains your eyes. This is especially helpful if you typically scroll right before bed.

10:00 PM — Screen free hour before bed

By this point in the night, I’m fully relaxed — I got my tv time and my scrolling time. It’s time to put the screens away.

It’s no secret that screens hurt our sleep. So I usually read for about an hour before bed.

And most of the time, it basically lulls me to sleep. That’s kind of the beauty of it. A low stimulation activity like reading is exactly the kind of thing we’re supposed to be doing before bed — not taking in a thousand things from our social feeds.

Other options: magazines, journaling, crosswords, sudoku, card games, hobbies (knitting, embroidery), puzzles, self-care

11:00 PM — I go to bed (at the same time every night)

Again, sometimes the simplest things are the most effective. You don’t need any fancy new products to have a consistent bedtime.

And sleep is probably our most important wellness habit. Sleep rules our body. Consistent bedtimes improve sleep quality, mood, focus, and even lower long term health risks. That’s why I treat my bedroom like a sanctuary.

And consistent bedtimes help consistent wake times, further strengthening your circadian rhythms. Over time this can improve morning grogginess and energy throughout the day.

To me, none of the other wellness stuff matters if I’m not getting my quality, consistent sleep.

Now it’s your turn

Hopefully this post has you feeling motivated. And I also hope it’s shown you how simple wellness can be. If you’re into wellness and looking for some simple ways to incorporate it into your daily life, I’ve got you.

My low effort wellness formula:

□ Get outside for at least 20 minutes a day
□ Easy but healthy breakfasts and lunches
□ Nourishing dinners at home
□ Daily movement (30+ minutes)
□ No scrolling during the work day
□ Tidy/reset environment consistently
□ Make time for hobbies (at least 5x/week)
□ Consistent sleep/wake times

You don’t have to do all of them. Pick 2 or 3 that speak to you and try them out this week. Try them out at different points of your day until you find the routine that feels natural to you. Adapt them to fit your life and watch “wellness” become a whole lot easier.

My Wellness Philosophy

The secret is that none of this feels like some wellness routine straight off social media. I’m not constantly thinking about if I’m “well” or if I look a certain way. I’m just making small choices every day that make me feel good.

I’m focused on habits that support my wellbeing without requiring my whole life to revolve around health and wellness.

What wellness habit have you been simplifying lately?

Keep Reading …

Articles mentioned in or related to this post:

I feel like I’m constantly on the hunt for that feeling.

But I’m starting to realize maybe it’s more mundane than I think.

Maybe having my life together doesn’t have to mean a huge salary or super nice clothes. Maybe it can look like a tidy home, clean sheets, and knowing what my week will look like.

This got me thinking about all the little things in my life that actually give me that “put together” feeling.

We’re not as far from having our lives together as we sometimes think. And as a reminder, I want to share with you the simple things in life that reliably make me think: okay, I might actually have my life together.

The Little Things That Make Me Feel Like I Have My Life Together

01 — When my home feels like it’s fresh off a Sunday reset

Things that make me feel instantly more put together:

clean sheets, an empty kitchen sink, cleared countertops, a clean bathroom, fresh towels, a recently fluffed couch, being caught up on laundry, a sparkling and fully stocked fridge

Basically, I only feel put together when my house is totally clean.

I’m sort of joking, but truly, when I’m consistently taking care of my space and keeping things clean how I like them, I genuinely feel so put together.

A clean space gives me the peace of mind I need to take care of all the other areas of my life.

02 — When my calendar is under control

I’m at my best when I:

• plan the week ahead

• know upcoming appointments/meetings

• respond immediately to texts/calls/emails/invitations

• schedule things I’ve been putting off

• know what needs to happen that week and each day

• have birthdays/events/trips written down

I’ve tried before to be the person that just flies by the seat of their pants but the truth is I’m so much happier when I take the time to plan things out.

Nothing feels more chaotic to me than trying to keep all the important things in my head. I feel so much more put together when I can see all the important stuff right in front of me, and can actually plan my days and weeks.

If you want a deeper look at how I handle a few of these items specifically, check out last week’s subscriber post.

03 — When the annoying adult things aren’t hanging over my head

The tasks that give me that “I am an adult who has things under control” feeling:

• returning things on time

• paying bills / tackling debt

• tracking my spending

• scheduling important appointments

• putting away mail (and filing away the important stuff)

• making the phone call I’ve been avoiding

• dealing with things before they become urgent

While these things suck, there’s truly nothing better than feeling like you have your ducks in a row. When I don’t do these important things, they literally hang over my head and give me so much anxiety. Taking care of these things is another way of taking care of myself, and one of the fastest ways for me to feel like I have my life together.

Sometimes “having it together” doesn’t require a complete life overhaul. It just requires knowing what to tackle first.

I’ve simplified all of these little things into a reset I can use whenever I feel like I’m falling behind — a simple sequence for getting my home, my head, and my next day back in order.

Subscribers can keep reading for my “I Need to Get My Life Together” reset and more little things that make me feel like my life is in order.

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Everyone has their things that they think are worth spending money on.

Personally, I have one shopping rule that’s saved me from so many wasteful purchases. I’m only allowed to buy a “luxury” version of something if it’s already something I use everyday and place a lot of value on.

I’ve shared before plenty of things that I don’t buy, but this time I want to share a couple things that I’ve actually found are worthy of a little splurge.

For me, it really only makes sense to splurge on things I use every single day. And as I get older I’m finding value in buying high quality items that will last a long time rather than constantly buying the cheaper versions. I would much rather have a few prized items I consistently use than a hundred cheaper items that never last.

These are the few splurges I’ve slowly made over time as the cheaper versions of them gave out. These splurges are easily some of my favorite things I own and have genuinely improved my life. I’m thankful every day I chose to upgrade.

7 Splurges That Were Worth Every Penny

01 — Brooklinen Sheets ($$)

The everyday luxury

I have a whole post about creating a bedroom that will actually help you recharge. My bedroom is a big deal to me. My BED is a big deal to me. If I have a comfy bed, I feel like I can tackle anything.

So a little over a year ago I finally decided to splurge on some nicer bedsheets.

And now, I’m ruined for life. I can never go back to the random sheets I used to buy at big box stores.

I used to alternate sheet sets each week so I wouldn’t have to wash the dirty ones immediately but I can’t do that anymore because I don’t want to use anything but my Brooklinen Percale 100% Cotton set.

They’re the perfect set if you want that Nancy Meyers hotel feel — they’re deliciously crisp and cool. And most importantly, there’s been no signs of wear or tear after a year of consistent weekly washes and use.

I’m honestly itching to buy a few more sets because they have so many cute patterns and colors (but I won’t because I don’t need them). I plan on repurchasing them several times throughout my life.

Psssst … they have a bedding sale going right now!

^{Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase something I’ve recommended. There’s no extra cost to you, and I’ve only included things I genuinely own, use, and would recommend whether there’s a link attached or not.}

02 — Brooklinen Towels ($$)

The upgrade I notice every night

When I got my own place after college I used hand me down towels from my mom that I used for most of my childhood. And there’s nothing wrong with that, but after a few months I was more than ready for some new ones.

My amazing experience with the Brooklinen sheets led me to explore the Brooklinen towels and shocker, I’m obsessed.

They’re so plush, they make me feel like I’m at a spa instead of my tiny shower. And they’re so cute that I made my partner build me a floating shelf in the bathroom just so I could display them.

A few years ago I would have never paid that much for towels but they truly make everyday life feel luxurious.

These days I’m much more interested in quality towels than hand bags or a ton of clothes. The quality of the things I use everyday is what’s important to me now. Does this mean I’m getting old?

03 — KitchenAid Stand Mixer ($$$)

The big purchase that actually gets used

A KitchenAid stand mixer is definitely an investment, but if you even do a moderate amount of cooking or baking it will pay you back tenfold by making your life easier.

I bought my stand mixer last year when I really started to get into cooking and baking, and I still use it multiple times a week.

I use it to mix all sorts of doughs, batters, and even mashed potatoes. I also use it to shred large amounts of cheese and chicken (it works amazing for this!). My partner even bought the attachment to start grinding up our own meat. There are so many attachments that essentially turn it into a multipurpose appliance, which is less expensive in the long run and saves you valuable kitchen space.

I’m at the point where I genuinely can’t remember how I did things before I bought it. It’s made cooking and baking so much easier and more enjoyable, which helps me make more and more of our food from scratch.

It’s been one of my favorite “adult” purchases.

04 — Hoka Tennis Shoes ($$)

Spending more on comfort

I’ve tried lots of different tennis shoes over the years and none have ever been as comfortable as my Hoka Clifton 10s. I was skeptical to spend over $100 on shoes, but the older I get the more I value comfort.

I wear mine almost every day when I go on walks or I know I’m going to be standing for most of the day. It sounds silly but they literally feel like walking on clouds. And I love that they have neutral colors options, my cream ones go with everything.

For me, a good pair of tennis shoes is more than just a new pair of shoes. When you have a pair of tennis shoes you love, you’re way more likely to say yes to long walks and long days.

Thankfully, my search for the perfect tennis shoe is finally over. I’ll buy Hokas for as long as they make them.

Pssst … they’re on sale right now!

05 — Beats Headphones ($$$)

The thing I use for hours at a time

This is one upgrade I had to make once I started working from home. There are days I have these Beats headphones on for hours at a time. Not only do I use them daily for work, but I also love using them to listen to podcasts and audiobooks while I cook and clean.

With the amount of hours I’ve put on them, I’m genuinely shocked they’re still perfect. The sound quality is great, they’re noise cancelling, and they’re so comfortable, hence how I’m able to wear them for hours every day.

This upgrade is about more than just comfortable headphones. They help me every day stick to my routines like walking, cleaning, and cooking because they make them all more enjoyable. That’s how I know it’s an item worth the splurge.

06 — Le Creuset Tea Kettle ($)

The unnecessary thing that makes me happy

This is maybe the most “unnecessary” one on the list, but it’s also brought me so much joy.

This upgrade has turned into a nightly ritual for me. Each night after I shower, I put my kettle on the stove, get my tea going, and unwind in bed while I drink my tea.

I don’t need a fancy tea kettle, but since I use it every day (sometimes multiple times a day) it makes sense to get a high quality one from Le Creuset that could honestly last my whole lifetime with proper care. It sits out on my stove 24/7 so I’m more than happy to pay a little extra for one that brings me joy and looks nice.

07 — Gap PJs ($)

Making the end of the day feel better

Most of the items above are more function based, but this is one that just feels good.

A few years ago I decided I was going to be the kind of girl that only sleeps in matching PJ sets. That led to me trying a lot of different brands and ultimately being disappointed by most.

But the brand I always come back to is GAP. They have the most comfortable PJs I’ve tried (and trust me I’ve tried a lot).

Beyond the great quality and feel, I love them because you can mix and match your sets with options for short sleeve, long sleeve, shorts, and pants — all in the same pattern or color.

My tried and true GAP favorite is the SoftMade line:

• short sleeve pj top

• long sleeve pj top

• pj shorts

• pj pants

And I’m not sure about the science behind it but a matching PJ set just makes me feel so put together. There’s something about a matching set that makes you want to actually do the nighttime routine you’ve been trying to stick to.

If you’d like to browse everything mentioned in this post in one place, I’ve put it all together here: Shop My Everyday Luxuries Collection

The Common Thread

Don’t let this list make you feel like you have to go buy a million things.

The whole point of sharing my splurges is that so you can see how I justify them — what I think is worth spending more money on, but more importantly: why.

I spend more when...

• I use something constantly

• I can tell the quality difference

• It makes a routine more enjoyable (and therefore more likely for me to follow through with good routines)

• It solves an actual problem

• I expect to have it for a long time

I spend less when...

• The cheaper version works just as well

• I’m buying something just because it’s trendy

• I won’t use it frequently

• The upgrade is purely cosmetic and I don’t care about the difference

I don’t think a well lived life requires expensive things. In fact, I’m not someone who comfortably spends a lot of money. But I also don’t think being intentional with money means always choosing the cheapest option.

Sometimes the more intentional choice is buying the thing you’ll use for years, instead of buying the cheaper version three times.

If anything, I hope this post has inspired you to think about the little luxuries in your everyday life.

Maybe it’s really good coffee setup. Maybe it’s sheets you don’t want to leave in the morning. Or maybe it’s a few things that just make your life easier.

Figure out what you use, love, and appreciate every day — and don’t be afraid to make those things a little better.

Continue Your Reading …

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In fact, I’m really only Type A when it comes to my home.

All of this to say, you do not have to be Type A to have a clean, functional home.

A lot of people think a Type A home looks like color coded closets and tidy drawers (and I have those too), but really I think it’s a lot of small habits that add up to have a big impact.

To me, the small habits are what actually make my home run well, not my color coded closet.

So, I’m sharing a list of my favorite tiny, behind the scenes systems that I truly think have given me the home of my dreams.

15 Tiny Type A Habits That Make My Life Flow

Featuring:

• Tiny habits for my home

• Tiny habits for everyday life

• Tiny habits for future me

Tiny Habits For My Home

These habits are the backbones of all my cleaning routines and schedules — and how I keep things looking good without cleaning all the time.

I keep a backstock of necessities

Paper towels, toilet paper, shampoo, deodorant, anything we use day to day in our house — once I notice we have about 1/4 left, it gets added to my running shopping list. That means we’re hardly ever “out” of something, because there’s always a back up to replace it. This helps me feel like I’m always prepared.

I reset the kitchen every night

After dinner, I make sure all the dishes are done, the counters are wiped, and the kitchen is tidy (i.e. nothing is left out on the counter).

Why I do it:

There’s nothing worse than walking into a dirty kitchen first thing in the morning. This routine ensures that I get to start every day with a clean space, which starts my day on the right foot.

I reset spaces when I’m done with them

I make my bed in the morning. I reset my office when I’m done working for the day. I fold blankets when I’m done in the living room.

Why it works:

These little spurts of tidying take virtually no time, but make a huge difference in the overall feel of your space. It keeps clutter from building and becoming overwhelming.

Everything has its place

This might be the number one thing holding people back from having a clean and tidy home. How can you tidy easily if you don’t know where anything should go? If you do nothing else on this list, I highly recommend starting here. Once you designate spots for everything in your home, it becomes so much easier to keep your home tidy.

Everything has a designated spot in my house, and I mean everything. Keys, bags, shoes, my laptop, my headphones, extra chargers, extra blankets, even MAIL. All the things that seem to constantly clutter your counters just need a space to belong.

I have default routines

All the routines I talk about here at The Living Standard are why I’m able to have a clean and tidy home virtually all the time. Do they always happen perfectly the way I design them to? Of course not.

But they give me a default.

And having default routines reduces mental clutter and decision fatigue.

Because I have routines in place for all things cleaning, I no longer have to make decisions about what to clean when, or when to do laundry, or what all I need to get done that day. This means my brain can be on autopilot about 90% of the time when it comes to home stuff, which frees up so much other space for things I actually want to think about.

Paid subscribers can keep reading for 10 more tiny habits that keep me organized, reduce mental clutter, and make everyday life run a bit smoother.

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They just sit there, taking up space:

The email you haven’t answered. The appointment you’ve been meaning to schedule. The bill you’ve been putting off. The low storage alert you always get on your phone. All the random life admin tasks that have slowly accumulated.

If you’re anything like me, when it gets super bad, it literally keeps me up at night. I’m laying there trying to fall asleep and all I can think about are all the loose ends in my life — and it stays that way until I fix them.

When it starts keeping me up at night, I know it’s time to do something about it.

That’s when I break out this little life admin reset.

And the best part? It’s only 60 minutes. That’s just enough time to take care of the most important things without overwhelming me any further.

The 60 Minute Catch Up Checklist

Broken up into 6 easy 10 minute sections

First 10 Minutes

Money & Bills

These are easily the things that weigh heaviest on my mind, so I like to take care of them first thing. My focus is making sure upcoming bills are taken care of, checking in with my bank accounts, and making sure I’m on track with my spending and budgets.

Here are my checklist items for the first 10 minutes:

• pay (or schedule) upcoming bills*

• review upcoming expenses/bills (within the next month)

• check bank account(s)

• review budget (if you have one)

*If you don’t already, I highly recommend you have a way to track your bills each month. I have mine in Google Calendar, which is super user friendly. Each week I just open it up real quick to make sure I know all the bills due that week and I can go ahead and take care of those. I pay all of mine manually because I’m paranoid, but even if you have yours on autopay, I would suggest keeping a list with names and dates so you at least know when to expect those to come out.

Minutes 10–20

Calendar

I imagine this section is especially helpful with a full family and lots of different things going on, but I still benefit from this as someone with no kids. I use this 10 minutes to make sure I know what’s going on that week and take care of any date specific things I’ve been putting off.

Here are my checklist items for minutes 10-20:

• review the upcoming week

• schedule appointments/meetings/calls + write them down

• close out any RSVPs/confirmations

• add reminders to my calendar for important things that week/month

Minutes 20–30

Communication

I’m terrible about responding others, especially during the work week when my brain is moving a mile a minute. This is one section that weighs on me heavily because I feel guilty. So, I use this 10 minutes to make sure I’m caught up on texts, emails, and calls.

Here are my checklist items for minutes 20-30:

• answer emails + send any you’ve been meaning to send

• return texts + send any you’ve been meaning to send

• clear voicemails

• make note of anyone I need to call soon

Minutes 30–50

Digital Reset - Phone & Computer

I’m guilty of neglecting my digital clutter. The state of my phone and computer are usually the last thing I’m worried about, but that means they’re often very messy and contribute to my mental clutter whether I realize it or not. That’s why I set aside a full 20 minutes in this reset to take care of both. I could easily spend hours tidying my digital life, but this little checklist is good enough to get me back to a manageable state.

Minutes 30-40

Digital Reset - Part 1: Phone

• go through recent photos and delete anything unneeded

• delete spam/unneeded text messages

• delete any unused apps/rearrange if messy

• update your phone (when applicable)

I also like to take it step further by changing my lock screen. It’s totally unnecessary and doesn’t actually accomplish anything but it gives me that feeling of a fresh start.

Minutes 40–50

Digital Reset - Part 2: Computer

• tidy desktop

• clear recent unneeded downloads

• tidy bookmarks bar*

• delete junk emails

• update your computer (when applicable)

*This sounds like a small thing but trust me, it makes all the difference. Make sure your most used sites are front and center, and finally delete the ones you never use any more. It’s really nice just being able to hit the button on your bookmarks bar instead of typing it in day after day.

If you’re in desperate need of a digital reset, I have a slightly more in-depth one here: Monthly Digital Reset

Minutes 50–60

Close It Out

You’ve taken care of the hard stuff and now you just need to regroup and put your best foot forward.

Here are my checklist items to close out the reset:

• write down your top 3 priorities for the week ahead AND month ahead

• brain dump* (write down any other things still taking up space in your mind)

• choose one thing from the list to tackle tomorrow (I try to make it the “worst” one so I get it out of the way)

*Commit to knocking things off this list as soon as you can. I aim to tackle one or two a day until the list is complete.

And that’s it! It’s simple by design. The last thing we need when we’re overwhelmed is an intricate routine that takes up a whole day in our already strained schedule.

This little routine always helps me regroup when I start feeling stretched thin.

And if this routine feels good and ends up making you want to tackle even more, that’s great, but this will at least give you a little breathing room in your mind.

Save this and come back to it anytime those loose ends are keeping you up at night.

Keep Reading …

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Raising the standard of everyday living

We are in the dog days of summer right now.

It’s hot and humid, and a huge part of me is ready for the coziness of fall.

August has always had a sort of melancholic feel to me. I don’t know if that’s leftover from being a kid dreading going back to school, or just the sad thought of another summer ending.

But I’ve been on a mission this year to live more seasonally. This time of the year may not hold the same promise as the beginning of the summer, but it holds a different kind of beauty. Summer is starting to slow down, we’re in those long days that just seem to linger. It might just be me, but it seems like everything has a golden hue in August.

I’m determined to fully appreciate summer this year, and resist moving onto fall too early. It’s like how you treasure something even more when you know you’re about to lose it. I’m going to fully commit to honoring summer for one last month.

More garden produce, more delicious tomatoes, a few more swims, a few more trips, a few more warm nights, cherishing the sun on my skin.

This month, I’m just going to let August be what it is. I’m not forcing it to be the fun beginning of the summer, but I’m not forcing it to be fall either.

August is about squeezing out those last little bits of summer.

In This Issue

Home, habits, and the rhythm of August

• At Home

  My emergency summer routines

• In the Kitchen

  Breakfast prep and garden preservation

• Living Well

  Trying out some new habits

• Hobby Hour

  Atmospheric August reads

• Entertainment Beat

  Late summer tv and movies

• Little Luxuries

  The new bedtime ritual that’s making self care easier

I recently shared my summer Sunday reset, a routine I had to break out once summer really ramped up:

I’m still in that crazy part of summer where there’s no possible way I could have a good cleaning routine like I do in the colder months. So I’m sticking with Sunday resets, and sneaking in week night cleans when I happen to get a slow night.

I’m also just letting myself be okay with a house that looks a little more lived in than normal.

But there’s one other thing that’s been saving me, and I plan on continuing it this month.

I’ve shared the magic of a 10 minute tidy before, but lately I’ve been doing 30 minute tidies about every other day. I may not have time to do my usual daily cleaning, but if I let clutter pile up too much I’ll literally lose my mind. This every other day, 30 minute routine has been helping me stay ahead of the chaos.

Every other day I set a timer for 30 minutes and take care of all the little things that have been bugging me. Shoes left out, boxes unopened, random things I was going to put away “later”. Sometimes I even throw in cleaning if there’s something that really can’t wait until Sunday — a random kitchen mop, a good couch vacuum, a load of laundry.

August is about giving myself enough time to make the most of summer, but finding a few 30 minute blocks where I can bring the house back to a decent state.

And if it ever gets too overwhelming, I take a deep breath and remind myself that this busy period is temporary.

Because of the heat, I usually try to do anything I need to outside in the mornings now. Which means I’m having to wake up earlier and move a bit faster than I usually do most mornings (I’m not really a morning person).

So prepping breakfast has saved me.

Lately I’ve been prepping breakfast on a free night so I can have easy mornings all week long.

A few of my current favorites:

• Croissant Sandwiches - Cut croissants in half and stack an egg patty, your meat of choice, and a slice of cheddar. Assemble, wrap in foil, stick in the freezer. Pop them in the microwave for 1:30 whenever you’re ready to eat them. They freeze sooo well. I love making double batches and keeping them in the freezer for whenever I need them.

• Scramble Bowls - Scramble some eggs, cook your meat of choice, shred some cheddar cheese, and chop some green onions. Assemble your bowls in individual containers for easy grabbing or keep them separate and assemble throughout the week.

• Egg Bites - These are great for using up whatever veggies you have left in the fridge. The recipe I use is from Cyndi (@themhoffers) on TikTok. These are a great one to try if you’ve never prepped breakfast before, they’re definitely the easiest.

Beyond prepping breakfast, most of my time in the kitchen is now spent preserving stuff from the garden.

Here’s what I’ve been harvesting lately:

• lots of tomatoes

• a moderate amount of cucumbers (it’s been sooo hot, they’ve been struggling a bit)

• one handful of okra … (it’s really just getting started)

• tons of onions and garlic! (really shocked how well they did, but SO happy)

And what I’ve preserved/how:

• dried lots of herbs/flowers for tea and culinary uses

• made a LOT of pesto with our fresh basil and garlic

• lots of prepped and frozen vegetables (zucchini noodles, diced zucchini, diced carrots, diced onion)

• coming soon: we’ll hopefully have enough this coming week to start canning tomatoes! pasta sauce, pizza sauce, tomato sauce, and more!

With the chaos of summer I’ve kind of been neglecting myself.

I haven’t been walking as much because of the heat, but I’ve been slacking on healthy habits in general.

So this month I want to get back to daily walks. I’m going to move them to early mornings so the heat won’t be too much of a problem and hopefully they’ll only get better as it gets cooler and cooler.

I’m inviting you to pick a habit back up this month that makes you feel good — that one that you know you need to get back to because it makes you feel so much better.

I’m also making a list of some habits I want to try out. Each week of August I’ll pick one from the list to try out for the week.

Here’s my list I’m going to pick from:

• leaving my phone in the kitchen when I go to bed for the night

• having my morning coffee outside

• switch up reading location (different chair, different room, outside, coffee shop)

• walks WITHOUT headphones

• journal for 5 minutes at the end of the day

I’m hoping this little experiment along with the daily walks can kind of shake up this summer funk I’ve been in lately.

If you’ve made it this far, I hope this issue has inspired you to slow down and enjoy August a little more intentionally.

Paid subscribers can continue reading for a look into the books I’m picking up in August, this month’s Entertainment Beat, and the new bedtime ritual that’s making self care easier lately.

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But when I think about a clean home, and how I keep mine clean, I realize the thing doing the heavy lifting is the systems, not the products.

The systems I have around cleaning are what make the difference, not a cabinet full of the newest, trendiest cleaning products.

Instead of just buying whatever I see on TikTok, I prefer to focus on simple routines and a few dependable tools that support them.

These are the products I’ve kept coming back to over the years: my housekeeping heroes. These are the things that make everyday cleaning easier, deep cleaning more manageable, and maintaining our home feel less like a chore.

The Everyday Cleaning Heroes

The products that make my daily and weekly maintenance easier

In this section:

• everyday cleaning sprays

• different cleaning rags and their purposes

• dishwashing essentials

^{A quick note: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. I don’t share products just to share products. The tools and supplies below have earned their place in my home because they make my routines simpler and my home easier to maintain. I’m sharing them because I genuinely love using them in my home. Thank you for supporting my work here at The Living Standard!}

Everyday Cleaning Sprays

Multipurpose Cleaning Concentrate

If you learn one thing from this list, please let it be the beauty of a multipurpose cleaning concentrate. I’ve been loyal to this Mr. Clean lavender concentrate for almost 6 years now. Cleaning concentrates do the work of 5 cleaners, but in only one bottle. I put a small amount in my favorite spray bottle, fill the rest with water, and use it all over the house. I clean the kitchen counters every day with it, as well as furniture throughout the house, and I even mop with it. What keeps me coming back to this one is the effectiveness and the smell (pleasant, but not overpowering like a lot of cleaners out there).

Glass Cleaner

The one thing I don’t use my multi purpose cleaner on is glass, simply because of streaks. So I do allow this singular product because it’s so effective, and a little goes a long way — I’ve had the same bottle for almost a year.

Hypochlorous Acid

This is my go to disinfectant, antibacterial spray, and sanitizer. It does it all. I keep this as a finisher behind my normal cleaning. If I made a raw meat mess in the kitchen, I’ll go in with this after wiping away any excess liquid. It only takes two minutes for it to disinfect a surface, and you don’t need to wipe it away. I also spray it on the toilet after cleaning it, because most multipurpose cleaners have to sit wet for 10 minutes to disinfect — and who is letting it actually sit that long?

It’s also great for spraying fabrics that hold onto scents: couches, curtains, throw pillows, rugs. It actually breaks down the odor instead of just masking it with fake fragrance. This is the one I buy in bulk, as well as the spray bottle* I use.

*It’s important hypochlorous acid is in an opaque bottle, as light hurts it’s efficacy.

Cleaning Rags

Cut-Up T-Shirts

It feels silly to buy rags to clean a dirty toilet with, so I don’t. I just cut up old/stained t-shirts into rags. I’ve had some of them for years. Usually by the time I’m ready for more, I have a few t-shirts that desperately need retired. I reserve any white ones for bathroom use so they can be bleached. Everything else gets used all over the house for deep cleaning projects (cabinets, baseboards, windows, etc.).

Microfiber cloths

I don’t buy dusters because I have microfiber cloths. They pick up dust like nothing else. Anytime I need to dust anything I give it a once over with my microfiber cloths, then wipe with my spray too depending on the surface. They’re also perfect for cleaning your car interior!

Laundry tip: Don’t wash your towels (and especially microfiber ones!) with fabric softener. It will coat them in a waxy film and lessen their absorbency. I don’t even buy fabric softener anymore for this reason (more on that later).

Kitchen Rags

I do like having a bit nicer ones (but still very cheap) dish rags to use on the kitchen counters and table. I keep whichever one I’m using hanging on the side of our fridge for easy access so this is the one area I choose to upgrade a little bit. I love these magnetic hooks for hanging wet rags and towels to dry out in-between uses — helps a lot with smells building up!

Dishwashing Essentials

I unfortunately do not have a dishwasher, so as someone who loves cooking from scratch nearly every day, I’m constantly doing dishes.

Here are the few things that make it slightly more enjoyable:

• dish brushes + a dish brush caddy to keep them tidy

• a cute dish soap container so I don’t have to stare at an ugly plastic bottle the whole time

• a pan scraper that saves me every night (this is the closest I’ve found to the Pampered Chef ones, iykyk)

• baking soda! I use it multiple times a week to easily break up stuff stuck on my pans. In the pan, simmer a spoonful of baking soda with a thin layer of water over a medium heat until the water evaporates. The stuck on bits should come right off when you wash the pan.

• my favorite: a stone stand that elevates everything listed above off the counter, making cleaning so much faster and easier (keeps water off the counter too)

The Deep Cleaning Heroes

The products that make deep cleaning jobs less annoying

In this section:

• the random products that make my house sparkle

• vinegar: the multi-purpose hero

For random stains and spots

Magic Erasers

These are so underrated. My favorite way to use them is to get scuffs off walls, baseboards, door frames, or basically anything that has random scuffs or stains. It is the ONLY thing that got Sharpie off my counter. Plus, one pack lasts forever.

Murphy’s Oil Soap

This is maybe the closest item on this list to “single purpose” but I’ll allow it because it’s just that good. Murphy’s Oil Soap is unmatched. It’s a product my whole family uses and has since I was little. It’s the best cleaner out there for anything wood — floors, furniture, baseboards. If you have even a small amount of wood in your house I highly recommend it. It’s very effective for any type of kitchen cabinet too as it breaks down grease incredibly well. And because you dilute it, it lasts forever. I love filling up a bucket with some Murphy’s Oil and just deep cleaning every single piece of wood in my house. It makes everything look so good and shiny. I also know some people use it to shine stainless steel appliances.

Barkeeper’s Friend

As a lover of stainless steel pans, Barkeeper’s Friend has earned its place in my house. I use my pans every day so they easily build up stains on the bottom and sides. About once a month I try to deep clean my pans. I do this by first putting a baking soda paste all over and letting it sit before washing it off. This is so I’m not wasting as much of the Barkeeper’s Friend and only using it for the toughest stains. Then, I make a paste with Barkeeper’s Friend and tackle any stains still on there. This maintenance is what will help my stainless steel pans last as long as possible and continue to look good.

I also use it to scrub my stainless steel sink. BUT, it does contain abrasives, so if you do this make sure your sink is truly stainless steel and mix your powder into a paste first (or use their liquid version).

Toothbrushes

I keep all of our old toothbrushes and use them to scrub all the little spaces that are hard to get with a rag. Seals and crevices on sinks, tight corners in the shower, and about 10 more random places as I find a use for them.

Vinegar: The Multi-Purpose Hero

Vinegar is definitely my number one cleaning product (maybe besides my multipurpose cleaner). I always buy in bulk, I can’t ever be caught without vinegar.

Here are the main ways I use it:

• Descaling tea kettles/coffee machines

  • Google for your specific setup but running a cycle mixed with vinegar will clear out mineral buildup

• Cleaning the microwave

  • I fill up a glass pitcher (a mug would work too) with half water and half vinegar. Microwave for a minute or two so it gets the microwave steamy. This makes getting all the gunk off so much easier! I can’t even remember how I cleaned the microwave before I learned this.

• Homemade shower spray

  • Mix 1 part water and 1 part vinegar with a few squirts of dish soap - I mix it right in my spray bottle. To clean the shower, I spray the mixture on a wet shower/tub, let it sit for 10 minutes, then scrub with my go-to shower brush. I do this every other week and love how clean our shower stays.

And my favorite use for vinegar is actually in the next section.

The Laundry Heroes

I may still be on the hunt for my perfect detergent but there are some laundry products that will always be staples in my house.

Vinegar

I’ve been on a journey to simplify everything around my house. Not only is vinegar great for so many uses around the house, it secretly belongs in your laundry room too. Vinegar has totally replaced fabric softener for me. Fabric softener has waxy chemicals that coat fibers, which may make clothes feel softer at first, but overtime leave a buildup that holds odor. It does the same thing to your machine. Using vinegar in place of a fabric softener actually restores natural softness, eliminates odors, prevents static, and keeps your washing machine mildew-free. It will save you so much money too.

Bleach

I have white towels, some white sheets, and a ton of white cleaning rags and kitchen towels. Why? Because nothing ever feels as clean as a freshly bleached load of towels. Whites are the only color I use hot water on too, so they just feel unbelievably clean.

Wool Dryer Balls

Similarly to fabric softener, dryer sheets aren’t all they’re promised to be. Not only are dryer balls cheaper in the long run, they’re more eco-friendly than the single-use sheets. Dryer balls reduce drying time and soften clothes without chemical residues and fragrances. These are the ones I use and have had for years.

Mesh Laundry Bags

I use mesh laundry bags to separate delicates like bras and underwear from my other clothes. I don’t want to go through the hassle of doing a whole other load just for delicates, but it makes me feel a little better that they’re all together and sort of protected from everything else. I also use them for my silk pillowcases to limit how much they rub against other fabrics to hopefully extend their life.

Air Drying Setup

I know a lot of people that don’t air dry any of their laundry. And I get it, it’s faster and easier to just throw everything in the dryer. But, air drying clothes can significantly extend the life of your clothes. There are lots of dryer racks out there, and some people are even choosing to go back to clotheslines. We thankfully have a lot of shelving in our laundry room so I have a bunch of hangers in there on a rod. I hang up all of my pjs, my silk pillowcases, my bras, and my more expensive clothing like sweaters and leggings. Really the only thing I tumble dry are sheets, towels, t-shirts, and jeans. It really does make such a difference and I feel like my clothes last so much longer now.

Want to keep this list handy? I’ve saved all of my housekeeping heroes in one place here: My Housekeeping Heroes

Plus … my #1 cleaning hack

This is one my secrets to having a very clean house:

I have certain audiobooks and podcasts that I only let myself listen to while I clean.

This keeps me motivated to clean because I’m always wanting to listen to the new episode or wondering what’s going to happen next in my book. It’s also nice to just throw on headphones and check out with a good podcast in the background. You could even do it with music. I also usually throw on reality tv while I fold laundry.

Just because cleaning is a “chore”, doesn’t mean it has to be miserable. Find small ways like this to make it slightly more enjoyable for yourself.

How all of this helps me buy less and clean more

This list of products is so simple compared to what I used to think was necessary to keep a house clean. Now, I want the products and tools I buy to have several uses and really pull their weight. My focus is real, effective cleaning and tools and systems that make it as easy as possible. I don’t need a full cabinet of aesthetic bottles and fancy gadgets, I just want a few staples I know I can always rely on. Reducing friction will make it easier to clean which means you will be more likely to actually clean your house.

These are the housekeeping heroes I return to again and again.

This is a lineup I’ve formulated over years of trial and error, figuring out what I like and don’t like. I can genuinely see myself using these for the rest of my life — that’s how much I love them and how much they support my systems and routines.

I hope this list gives you a few ideas for simplifying your own routines and choosing tools that truly earn their place in your home.

Keep Reading …

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This summer has been full of last minute plans, busy weekends, and lots of time outside … which means my house has been a little neglected.

But instead of freaking out about this, I’ve just adjusted my systems a little bit.

For the most part, during the rest of the year I don’t have many problems sticking to my weekly cleaning schedule. But with the business of summer, that schedule just doesn’t work all the time anymore. Instead of trying to force it to work, I’ve decided to add a more traditional Sunday reset back into my weekly routine.

My summer Sundays are about catching up on what got dropped the last week and prepping the most important things for the next week. And all the while trying to do it in a way that doesn’t totally exhaust me before the week even starts.

This is not an emergency home reset (you can find that here). This is more of a little boost we all need at the end of a busy week.

For me, summer housekeeping is just about maintenance. It’s about finding that balance — maybe the house isn’t perfectly clean, but it could easily be put back in order with a few focused hours. I try not to let it reach total chaos, because that’s much harder to come back from.

So I’m going to take you through a real summer Sunday reset. This is the hour by hour breakdown of the reset I did last Sunday to help me get things in order.

This is what most Sundays look like for me in the summer.

Summer Sunday Reset

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Faster dinners.
Faster coffee.
Faster workouts.
Faster shopping.

And I love efficiency as much as the next Type A girl, but running in overdrive 24/7 cannot be good for our nervous systems.

I share lots of systems and routines focused on making household tasks more efficient.

But I don’t create those systems so I can squeeze more and more into my day.

I strive to make my daily systems more efficient to give myself extra time to slow down where it matters.

There are definitely things I want to rush: work, cleaning, weeknight dinners, and most adult responsibilities honestly.

But then there are other things I want to savor.

I rush through the boring things to get to the good stuff.

These are the things I’ve intentionally decided to give more time to.

1. My Mornings

I am not a morning person. I am the person that doesn’t want to speak for the first hour of my day.

I don’t wake up early to get ahead.

I wake up early so I can wake up slowly.

Before I decided to slow down my mornings, I would wake up at the last possible minute, rush around the house getting everything together, and start my day with a panicky, half asleep brain.

Now, my mornings look like:

• coffee + reading outside

• light movement (long walks/yoga/pilates)

• walking around my garden

• peace and quiet

What it’s given me

When I start the day slowly, my way, I’m pouring into myself before I log onto work and think about anyone else. This is easily the most life-changing one on the list. Peaceful mornings don’t have to be reserved for the weekends.

2. Sunday Dinner

Some of my favorite memories from growing up were Sunday dinners at my grandparents’ house.

After a busy work week, and sometimes even busier weekends, it’s so nice to end Sundays slowly with an elaborate meal.

During the work week, I simply don’t have time to make big dinners like I would like to. And I found I was missing real cooking and trying out new recipes and skills.

So, I decided to bring back Sunday dinners at my house.

Each Sunday I make a more complex meal — something I would never have energy for on a weeknight. Things like lasagna, chicken and dumplings, spaghetti and meatballs, roast chicken. I usually make a dessert too, because life is too short.

Sometimes I’ll invite family and friends over, sometimes it’s just me and my partner.

What it’s given me

I genuinely look forward to Sunday dinners all week long. I love cooking, and sometimes Sunday is really the only chance I get to truly cook something exciting instead of just getting something on the table. I know that I get to spend Sunday evenings making things from scratch, spending time with myself, and eating a good meal.

We’ve lost the art of a good Sunday dinner.

3. My Garden

Gardening is the opposite of instant gratification.

From seed starting to harvest, it’s a months long process.

I don’t think I’ve been this in tune with the seasons since I was a little kid. Spending so much time outside and being so aware of the seasons and wildlife has done wonders for my mental health and nervous system.

In the spring and summer, gardening takes up a lot of my time. A lot of people would just rather buy their food at the store and save all that time and hard work.

Why I still choose the slow way

Gardening may take a lot longer, but the quality you get is way beyond anything you could buy at the store. Plus, there’s pride and power in growing your own food. It’s a skill that has supported us for all of human history. That’s something I don’t mind spending time on.

4. Tea

I come from a family of tea drinkers. Hot tea. Iced tea. All. Day. Long.

I don’t drink much iced tea anymore but I’ve developed quite the ritual around hot tea.

For a long time I simply microwaved a mug of water (so American, I know) and threw a tea bag in.

Now, I’ve made it a huge part of my nightly routine.

I use a proper tea kettle (my first Le Creuset piece), use my own herbal blends that I grew myself, and steep the tea for 20 minutes to get the full benefits of the herbs.

I turned a 5 minute tea into a 30 minute ordeal — not to mention the work of growing, drying, and storing the herbs.

Why I still choose the slow way

I realize I could save myself a lot of time and just buy tea bags at the store.

But there’s something special about making things on my own, just because I can, because it’s important to me.

It’s also become a daily ritual for me. Rituals are grounding. This tea ritual signals the end of my day and makes everything feel intentional. I put time into growing the tea and it pays me back each night.

5. Building Collections

I’m a HUGE reader. I’ve had a passion for reading since I was a kid. And I want to one day have a “library” of my own (most people define that as 1,000 books).

I’m currently sitting at around 300 books.

And as a big home cook, I aim to have a good Le Creuset collection some day.

Social media makes it seem like everyone just buys everything they want, as soon as they want it.

But I’m choosing to intentionally build my collections over time.

I build them slowly by asking for them for birthdays and Christmas. I buy a book on every trip I take. I treat myself to a new Le Creuset piece to mark significant achievements. That’s how you build a collection over time.

It may take a while to build my own library and to have a full Le Creuset collection, but that will make it all the more satisfying when it happens.

I think this actively works against that social media instant gratification.

6. Reading

It’s been declared — the end of reading is here.

Now that social media and technology have taken over, it’s considered rare to be a “reader”. Only 16% of Americans read for pleasure.

One of the biggest ways I’ve slowed down is by returning to books.

Not because reading is the “better” hobby, but because it’s one of the few things that asks for my complete attention.

When I sit down with a book, there’s no scrolling, no multitasking, and no constant stream of notifications competing for my focus. For a little while, I get to be exactly where I am.

I’ve also stopped feeling like I need to race through my reading list. There will always be another book waiting for me, so I’d rather linger over one I genuinely enjoy than rush through three just to say I finished them.

That’s also why I’ve become intentional about building my personal library over time. I borrow most books from the library first, and only buy the ones I know I’ll return to again and again. Slowly collecting books I truly love feels much more meaningful than filling shelves as quickly as possible.

7. Cooking From Scratch

I talked about making big Sunday dinners, but that’s only one day of the week. Beyond that, I love making things from scratch as much as possible.

During busy weeks I may not be able to do elaborate dinners but I usually like to throw in a few from-scratch items when I can. Not only do they taste better, they’re better for you, and usually much cheaper.

It’s also nice knowing exactly what’s in your food.

Here are things I make from scratch nearly every week:

• sourdough

• dressings/sauces (Caesar, Italian, all sorts of vinaigrettes, Teriyaki, alfredo, marinara)

• homemade croutons (SO MUCH BETTER!)

You’d be surprised how easy these actually are and how much they elevate your everyday food. A little extra time for big payoff. That’s worth it to me.

8. Learning Hobbies

As someone who loves learning new things and taking up new hobbies, I’ve had to get used to not mastering things right away.

I think most people avoid hobbies because they’re scared to “fail”, or they don’t think they have time to learn new skills.

But that mindset is holding you back.

Learning new things is very beneficial for your brain, improving neuroplasticity, memory, and even lowering stress.

I regularly challenge myself to learn new skills and pick up new hobbies.

Earlier this year I started my own sourdough starter and learned how to make loaves, and this summer I’ll be canning my garden produce for the first time. This winter I want to learn how to knit.

In the eyes of our capitalist culture, these may seem like frivolous pursuits, but I see it as giving back time to myself.

What it’s given me

When you’re learning a new skill it can feel like you’re wasting time and you’ll never pick it up.

But the more skills you learn and the more hobbies you pick up, the more sure you will become of yourself and your abilities.

It’s helped me lower my stress, find new passions, and made me realize I can do anything if I give myself enough time.

Sometimes it seems impossible to slow down life. But I don’t think slowing down means we have to automatically stop doing less.

Dishes have to be done, laundry will always need washing, and work will always be there.

Doing less isn’t really an option.

But deciding what’s worth more of our time is.

I choose to optimize the boring stuff so I can spend more time on me, myself, and I.

Until next time x

Continue Reading …

That’s just not possible.

How do you always come up with new ideas?

Don’t you get tired of cooking?

What are you actually cooking all week?

Look, I could see how it seems like a lot if you’re someone who doesn’t really care about food or hates cooking. But I love food and cooking. So that’s one part of it.

But the main reason I’m able to cook 90% of our food at home is because I have tried and true strategies in place.

I rely on a handful of simple strategies that make weeknight dinners easier without sacrificing fresh ingredients or flavor.

So instead of just sharing recipes, I thought I’d take you through a real week in my kitchen — including what we ate, why I chose it, and the little systems that make it all work.

This week includes:

• my meal planning framework

• breakfast & lunch meal prep

• five weeknight dinners (and why I chose them)

• how I use up backstock

• how I make leftovers work for us

Before I Ever Cook

I think this is the main step people are missing. They just pick 5 new random dinners for the week and then wonder why at the end of the week they’re burnt out on cooking with a fridge full of random leftover ingredients that will probably go to waste.

The systems I have in place, along with a well stocked fridge, freezer, and pantry, are what help me cook almost all of our meals at home.

My Meal Planning Framework

Let me take you through my planning process step by step. I do this every week, the day before I go to the store, and it takes me about 20 minutes start to finish.

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Yes, the luxury sheets and plush bedding are dreamy, but they’re one small piece of the puzzle. Rituals and routines in your bedroom are will what truly give you a space that helps you recharge each night.

Over time, I’ve started treating my bedroom less like just a place to sleep at the end of the day, and more like a space that’s intentionally designed for rest. The routines I keep, the boundaries I set, and the small details I pay attention to have made a much bigger difference than any single purchase ever could.

If you’ve been wanting your bedroom to feel calmer, cozier, or simply more peaceful, here are the habits, systems, and thoughtful upgrades that have made the biggest difference in mine.

First, we’re laying the foundation with good sleep hygiene habits and a regular cleaning schedule. Then, we’ll explore fun nighttime rituals and intentional, cozy swaps.

This is not an overnight thing. Take it step by step to create your own little sanctuary.

1. Protect the Purpose

We’re all guilty of neglecting our bedrooms in favor for “more important” spaces like the living room and kitchen. But we spend one third of our lives sleeping, so maybe it’s time we invest in that space.

In my opinion, nothing else on this list matters if you don’t set some boundaries for your bedroom. Protect its purpose of rest and recovery.

Here are things I’ve stopped doing in my bedroom:

• working

• eating

• laying down before I’ve showered and changed

• leaving clutter around the room

• letting laundry sit around

All of these things dilute the purpose of your bedroom, and your brain pays more attention than you realize. Mark your bedroom as a sanctuary.

2. Set a Maintenance Schedule

Bedrooms are often neglected for higher traffic areas — and it’s true, they don’t require as much attention. But that often means they’re neglected for too long, which can turn them into big projects that get put off.

To avoid that, and support the space that supports you, set a bedroom cleaning schedule that works for you.

Here’s my bedroom cleaning routine:

Weekly: wash/change sheets*, dust/clean surfaces (headboard, nightstand, tv stand, dresser, etc.), vacuum

*My duvet cover gets washed every other week. A lot of people prefer monthly — do whatever you will stick to.

Monthly: deeper cleaning (baseboards, fan, blinds, walls), wash mattress cover, wash throw blankets

My weekly routine takes 20 minutes, if that. That’s all it takes to give yourself a clean space to start and end your day in. There’s nothing better than climbing into a fresh set of sheets. That’s a gift you can give yourself every week.

3. Create an Evening Ritual

I’ve talked about my full nighttime routine before, but I think it’s so important to create a ritual that signals the end of your day. Think of it as a few things you can do each night to signal to your body … it’s time to relax.

Each evening I do everything I need to do throughout the house, and then I start my nightly ritual. This ritual is how I show my body the difference between a productive day and a relaxing night. I truly believe it’s why I’m able to actually relax each night and why I sleep as good as I do.

Here’s my nightly ritual:

1. Turndown Service - Get the bedroom ready for the night. Close the curtains, pull back the sheets, lay out your pjs, and turn on your lamps. You can read the full break down of my turn down service here.

2. Shower + Skincare - If you’re not already, let me make another case for being an evening showerer. It’s a great way to “wash off the day” and is actually shown to improve your sleep! This might be my most non-negotiable step.

3. Relaxing Me Time - For me, it’s a cup of tea and an episode of tv. If that’s not your vibe, pick any low stimulation activity you can do in your bed/bedroom.

4. Screen-Free Hour - One hour before you’d like to be asleep, turn off your tv and phone, and pick up a book. As an avid reader I’m partial to reading before bed, but you could also do any other analog activity (journaling is good too!). If you’re skeptical of this hour making a difference, I urge you to try it for a week — I was shocked by how much it improved my sleep.

A key part that makes this possible is making your bed every morning. Not only does it start your day, it gives you a tidy bedroom to come back to. You can’t have the luxurious turndown ritual if your bed was never made in the first place.

Everyone’s nightly routines will look different, take what works for you and leave the rest. But the goal is to have a few steps that set you up for a good night’s sleep.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them — at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, love, and genuinely believe will add value to your home.

4. Increase Comfort

These are the things we more naturally think of when we think of making our bedroom a “sanctuary”. Mattresses, sheets, pillows. They are not the foundation of a good bedroom but they can definitely make a difference, especially when we already have the strong foundations.

Here are the things that make the biggest difference in mine:

Sheets

If you splurge on one thing in your bedroom (besides a bed), I highly recommend getting some nicer sheets. I love my Brooklinen sheets. I don’t have an expensive bed or a huge bedroom, but these sheets make me feel luxurious. I also still use this more affordable, hotel-like 100% cotton set that are a middle ground between those luxury brands and cheap sets at big box stores.

Pillows

As someone who loves their sleep, there’s nothing more important than finding your perfect pillow. I’ve tried so many, but I knew the search was over when I used my Coop pillow for the first time. What makes it my perfect pillow is that it’s completely adjustable. You can remove filling or stuff it to your heart’s content. My problem with all the pillows before was that the filling never felt just right. Let me tell you, a good pillow will change your life.

Big throw pillows will also give your bedroom that big cozy boost you’re probably looking for. I love the oversized look. A lumbar pillow can really elevate the space too. Throw pillows are less about function and more about creating a cozy environment you want to come back to night after night.

Lamps

Another thing I’m very passionate about is lamps. After dinner, no big lights are allowed in my house. I have several lamps in every room.

And even more important than the lamps themselves, are the light bulbs. You may think you can use just any light bulb, but let me tell you, you are wrong. Amber light bulbs are the only way to go. They create such a soft, comforting glow. If you’re starting from zero, get lamps in your bedroom first, then your living room.

Bedside Basket of Essentials

I also love having a beside basket of essentials in my nightstand of a few things I might want each night while relaxing in bed.

Here’s what’s in mine:

• hand cream

• lip masks / Aquaphor

• my red light mask

• medicine I need to take nightly / ibuprofen

• little book light (so I can read if my partner goes to bed before me)

All of these together just create the perfect atmosphere for me to unwind every night. These are swaps you can make over time as you need new items. For a long time it felt like a waste to buy more quality items for my bedroom. No one sees it right? But now, I view it as an investment in my sleep, and a form of self-care.

Looking for everything in one place? I’ve rounded up all of the bedroom products mentioned in this post — from bedding and lighting to a few of my favorite everyday essentials — in one list. Browse my bedroom essentials.

Writing this has made me realize I might be a little intense about my sleep, my bedroom, and my nightly routine. But hey, I always sleep well so I guess it’s worth it?

Creating a bedroom that feels restful isn’t about making it look like a hotel or buying everything new. More often than not, it’s the small habits, thoughtful boundaries, and simple routines that make the biggest difference.

You don’t have to change everything at once. Pick one idea that resonated with you, try it this week, and let your bedroom become a place that helps you slow down instead of speeding you up.

I’d love to know — which habit or change are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below. Or, what sleep related tip do you cherish most?

Until next week x

Explore more from The Living Standard …

In the same vein as spring cleaning, I love using summer as a time to prep the house before the cozier, colder months come in the fall. It helps that I usually have more energy in the summer too.

But where spring cleaning is very deep cleaning focused, my summer “cleaning” is more about improving the way the house functions.

I don’t try to overhaul my house every summer. I don’t want to spend hours inside deep cleaning. Instead, I pick a handful of projects that will make everyday life easier for months to come.

This summer I’m focusing on:

• creating a paperwork system

• building a personal recipe archive

• stocking my kitchen

• garden preservation

• starting composting

• landscaping

Below, I’m breaking down each of these projects — why I’m prioritizing them, how I’m approaching them, and what I’m hoping they change in my day-to-day life.

Read more

So I wanted to share one way I actually approach it in real life: something I call a Seasonal Syllabus.

It’s a simple way I plan the months ahead — not in a strict or productivity-focused way, but in a way that helps me design how I want the season to feel, in my home, my routines, and my everyday life.

A Seasonal Syllabus is essentially a subtle framework for shaping your season with more intention. It blends home rhythms, wellness habits, seasonal inspiration, and small lifestyle shifts into something more like a mood board than a plan. Think of it as curating the upcoming season.

Summer is hectic every year, and usually the busiest time for most people, me included. When life gets crazy, we tend to be more focused on the “important” things and forget to make time for joy. Creating a summer syllabus, and thinking about all the fun and creative things I want to do, is how I make sure I make time for joy.

What’s inside

• my theme for summer

• what I’m focusing on at home

• my seasonal wellness rhythm

• my summer food bucket list and food inspiration

• summer hobby focuses

• my summer entertainment lists

• a low stakes summer bucket list

• + a template to help you create your own seasonal syllabus

I like to set a theme — one or two words that I want to guide me through the season.

My theme this summer: chasing fun

This season, I want life to feel more like it did when I was a kid.

I’m doing that by:

• making time for fun things

• keeping things light

• not taking myself too seriously

Honestly, honoring my inner child is starting to look like doing the bare minimum when it comes to my house this summer. My bare minimum might be more than most people’s but my point is that I’m not spending my weekends inside cleaning.

This summer, I’m focusing on:

• keeping our outdoor areas clean and inviting

• simplifying weekly cleans

• sticking to a good laundry schedule

Summer is not the time for deep cleans or starting complex home systems, but we can remind ourselves what areas might need extra attention this time of year.

I try not to set intense, specific goals for myself when it comes to fitness and overall wellness, but I do like to set intentions for the season ahead.

For wellness, I’m leaning into:

• at least 1 hour of daily movement

• lighter, whole foods meals

• lots of fresh fruit

And I’m also picking one daily habit to try out this summer.

Summer’s experimental habit: reading outside in the morning

The rest of my Summer Seasonal Syllabus — including what's in my seasonal kitchen, hobby plans, entertainment lists, my low stakes bucket list, and the complete framework I use to create my syllabus every season — is available to paid subscribers below.

Read more

Some of these things I stopped buying in order to save money, while others stopped because they’re just wasteful, but most are a mix of both. All of them are possible because of other systems I have in place.

Excessive coffee runs, single-use products, convenience items, and seasonal home upgrades all seem so normal if you scroll through any kind of social media. But when you start paying attention, you realize how much of it isn’t actually necessary.

I just got tired of so much stuff. I was constantly buying things but felt like I had nothing to show for it, and certainly nothing worth while.

So I started creating systems that make those purchases feel unnecessary in the first place.

The benefits? I save money, I don’t waste as much (which helps the environment), I have less junk to clutter up my home, and most of these intentional swaps are healthier for me too.

Everything feels simpler. It’s closer to what I imagine life before social media felt like.

So in this post, I’m sharing the everyday things I don’t really buy anymore, what replaced them, and the small shifts that made it happen naturally.

_{Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely use and love. Thank you for supporting The Living Standard.}

10 Things I Stopped Buying (and what I do instead)

- Around the house

- In the kitchen

- Everyday habits

Around The House

A few swaps around the house that have saved me money and simplified everything

1. Home Fragrance + Laundry Luxuries

Fragrance is huge on social media — scent boosters, super fragranced detergent, fancy dryer sheets, all sorts of air fresheners, and the list goes on. I get a headache just thinking about it. My problem with them is that they’re completely unnecessary (and in lots of cases, bad for you). It’s understandable to want your home to smell good, but I would much rather have a clean smelling home than a bunch of artificial smells barely covering up a dirty house.

What I do instead:

• Routinely clean - I’m cleaning something every day, even if that’s just the bare minimum kitchen reset after dinner. It’s rare that a room in my house goes longer than a week without getting a general clean. Daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal schedules and routines stop the smell before it can build. (If you have no idea where to start, I suggest starting with my weekly cleaning schedule).

• Open windows as much as possible - Obviously this is seasonally dependent, with the heat wave this week I probably won’t open my windows at all. But in the spring and fall I have them open as much as possible. And even summer mornings are usually cool enough to open them up for a few minutes. There’s no better smell than fresh air. Beyond the smell benefits, airing out your home has health benefits too. No more stale air.

• My secret ingredient: hypochlorous acid - Hypochlorous acid actually does what you hope all those fragranced sprays do: get rid of odor. It’s a highly effective disinfectant and deodorizer, that actually neutralizes the bacteria that causes the smells. I buy it in bulk, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it on any fabrics in between washes if I feel like they’re holding smell. This is the one I use. Perfect for couches, curtains, throw pillows, rugs, and also a great disinfectant for any hard surfaces. Safe for pets and kids too!

• Reserve candle use - I’m not anti candle by any means, but I love saving it as an intentional addition to my routines instead of burning them all the time in hopes of it covering bad smells. My favorite way to use them is in the fall and winter while I read in the evenings.

• Bonus tip: Next time you need to buy a kitchen trash can, go for the smaller version. I have a medium size (8 gallon) trash can, which means in a two person household we usually take the trash out about every other day. This keeps smells from building up because the trash never sits for too long.

2. Disposable Cleaning Products

The cleaning space is unfortunately riddled with waste. Disposable wipes, the overuse of paper towels, sponges, and so much plastic. It all seems normal, but there are very simple swaps.

How I handle it now:

• Designated cleaning/kitchen rags - I don’t use paper towels to clean. I use my cleaning rags. Some of them I bought specifically for cleaning (cheap), some are old cut up t-shirts, but the kitchen rags look a little bit nicer as they stay in the kitchen. I use my cleaning rags to clean everything (yes even the bathroom), throw them in a bin, and wash them all together when there’s enough to wash. I buy new sets every couple of years or replace as needed, but honestly, they last forever. Because of this, I only have to buy a two pack of paper towels about once a month.

• Reusable brushes over sponges - This started mostly because sponges gross me out, but I’m a true brush lover now. I prefer to buy a bit nicer kitchen dish brush than constantly buying sponges. I also have a brush to clean showers/tubs. They’re easier to keep clean too. Once a week I clean them by soaking them in vinegar, dish soap, and a bit of warm water for one hour. I replace the brushes as needed (the kitchen one gets replaced about every 6 months) instead of switching sponges every week.

3. Trendy/Seasonal Home Decor

According to social media it’s completely normal to have different throw pillows for spring, summer, fall, winter, Halloween, and Christmas. And that’s just not something I want to buy into.

My approach instead:

• Minimal and reusable seasonal decorations - I totally understand the urge to decorate. I just choose to do it minimally and with decorations I use year after year. Same Christmas tree, same lights, same ornaments. Real pumpkins around our doors in the fall.

• Seasonal switches - I talked in depth about this in my seasonal summer post, but I focus more on practical seasonal switches. Lighter fabrics all around in the summer, more blankets in the winter, a place for rain gear in the spring, etc. This is what actually makes your home feel different season to season.

• Holistic approach to seasonal living - For me, living seasonally is more about your life adapting to the seasons instead of just buying cheap, useless decorations for your house. The seasons show up in my house in other ways: in the food i eat, the activities I do, the books I read, the movies I watch.

In The Kitchen

A few swaps in the kitchen that are better for your wallet and your health

4. Convenience Food Items

There’s a time and a place for them, but they’re typically much more expensive and can have bad health effects depending on what they are. Precut fruits and vegetables are crazy expensive, and bottled sauces and dressings have shocking amounts of sodium and sometimes questionable ingredients.

What I replaced them with:

• Homemade whenever possible - Most sauces I make from scratch now. Not only do they taste better, they’re much cheaper, and no doubt better for you. It also doesn’t take as much time as you would think. Even with making my own sauces and dressings, I get dinner done in 30 minutes most nights. Here’s my go to salad dressing lately:

  

• Beginner friendly swap: Stop buying croutons from the store! Save the butts of bread, or the last few pieces no one will eat before it goes bad, and make your own. Cut them up into crouton size, store in the freezer, and throw in the oven (400F for 8-10 minutes) with a little olive oil and seasoning whenever you need them. So easy and so much better than the store.

5. Single-Use Kitchen Items

There’s so much waste in the kitchen — paper plates, plastic sandwich baggies, aluminum foil, parchment paper. Let me be clear: I still buy these, there are rare occasions where I need them. But it’s at a much slower rate than most people because of some swaps I’ve made. These swaps save me money, time at the store, and make me feel better about my waste.

My more sustainable approach:

• Paper plates for parties only - We don’t eat off paper plates unless we have a bunch of people over (because I don’t have enough regular plates and I wouldn’t want to hand wash that many plates). But day to day we always eat on regular plates. Yes it’s more dishes, but it’s better for the environment, and you’re not wasting money on paper plates you don’t really need.

• Glass tupperware over plastic storage - Glass tupperware will change your life. You can immediately heat up your leftovers without transferring to another plate, they’re easy for transport, they’re not leeching plastic into your food, AND they look better. This is the set I use and I love it because it has just about every size you could need. The next silicone swaps cover the rest of the instances when you can’t use the tupperware.

• Silicone swaps - These silicone sandwich baggies and this silicone mat for sheet pans have reduced my need for single use items by like 90%. I still keep the single use items (plastic baggies, aluminum foil, parchment paper) for the very rare instances I might need them, but I haven’t bought them in months and probably won’t need to for many more.

6. Herbs

Anyone who cooks knows how expensive herbs can get at the store. Cilantro and parsley are relatively cheap, but most of the time I can’t even find fresh dill, and rosemary and thyme are pretty expensive for how little you get. And in the summer I want a bunch of mint for drinks.

So, I decided to grow my own. This spring, as a complete beginner, I started growing a bunch of herbs and now I haven’t bought fresh herbs from the store in four months and probably won’t have to again. And my cooking is 1000x better because I always have fresh herbs on hand. The amount of herbs I’ve been able to grow and preserve already would have cost me hundreds at the store.

If you have any questions about growing your own herbs, I’m your girl!

Everyday Habits

Some everyday habits I’ve stopped to reach a more intentional, healthy life

7. Coffee (Out)

Last year I got into a bad habit of getting coffee out multiple times a week. And I loved it, but that was a lot of money, a lot of calories, and just unnecessary. It was not a sustainable system.

What I did that helped me break the habit:

• Invested in my at home coffee setup - I think the main reason I used to get coffee out a bunch was because I didn’t know yet how to make something as good, or even better, at home. So, I bought a simple beginner espresso machine, a grinder, and started making my own syrups. Now, I can make lattes I love any time I want. So. Much. Cheaper. I can make a whole week’s worth of lattes for half the price of one latte out. Plus I can make any flavor you want!

• Gave myself a limit - I get it, half the appeal of getting coffee out is the ritual of it. I’m not never getting coffee again, I just don’t let getting it out become the main way I get it. So I gave myself a limit: I’m allowed to get coffee out once a week. I get it whenever I go to the grocery store for the week, it’s like a reward.

8. All The Latest Trends

I talked about resisting wellness trends in last week’s post, but that can be applied to all trends on social media. Social media makes us feel like we constantly have to be buying the latest trend, the newest hot product. I’ve honestly gotten to the point where I can resist most trends, but I’ve developed a few strategies I use when I’m still really tempted:

• Do my own version - If at all possible, I try doing the trend in some way with stuff I already have. For example, pilates was a big trend a while back, but I could never justify an expensive monthly class fee, so I just started doing it at home with YouTube.

• Only buy it if it already has a place in my routine - I try not to buy things just because they’re popular on social media. The one way I do allow it is if I already use a version of the same thing every day. For example, I may try popular skincare products if I already use a version of that in my daily routine. It’s not a waste because I already know I’ll go through it. You’re way more likely to get use out of it if it would seamlessly fit into your established routine already.

• No impulse buys - I do not allow myself to buy things as soon as I see them. When it comes to trends, I make myself wait a month. And then, if I’m still thinking about it, I’ll treat myself. Most of the time after a month has passed, the internet is on a totally new trend and I’ve completely forgotten about it. In fact, the only trend I’ve actually done this with is my LED mask, that I still use every night. So it works pretty good for me.

9. Eating Out

When I was in college, I would get Chipotle for dinner every Sunday and it would be like $20. That’s $80 a month, for four meals. And sit down restaurants could double that. Eating out once a week is maybe not the best example, as in the grand scheme of things, I don’t once a week is terrible. But I know tons of people that eat out for all their lunches at work, go out for dinner multiple times a week, or order food to their house routinely. Especially now, I just don’t know how people afford it. This one is mostly because of money, but also, it’s much healthier to eat at home. So now, I only eat out when friends or family want to go (usually about once a month), or for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

The systems that help me do this:

• Meal/ingredient prepping - I usually pick one to meal prep for the week: breakfast or lunch. I’m not big on meal prepping dinner, but I do usually do some ingredient prep when I get back from the store. Whether that’s portioning and cutting proteins, boiling eggs, shredding cheese, prepping fruits and veggies, or making sauces. Anything that will make healthy choices easier.

• Knowing our staples + keeping a running grocery list - Once you cook at home a lot and pretty much know what you always need, making your grocery list gets a lot easier. Whenever I run out of one of my staples while cooking, I immediately put it on my running grocery list. This means I’m spending less time and energy when it’s time to make a list for the store. Generally, most things I need are already on there and then it’s just a matter of double checking I have everything for the meals I want to make that week.

• A grocery/meal routine - I have my routine down pat. Mondays, I make my meal plan for the week (breakfast, lunch, dinners), quickly make my list, and clear out the fridge of anything that needs to go before I get more groceries. Tuesdays, I grocery shop and meal prep. That sets me up for the rest of the week. I don’t have to decide what to make every day, it’s already planned.

10. Books (before I’ve read them)

As an avid reader, I’m the biggest advocate for owning books. I plan on eventually owning enough books to be considered a library (1,000 if you were curious), but I would rather build an intentional library over time, with books I know I love, rather than just buying every single book I’m even slightly interested in.

What replaced it:

• Library card / Libby - If you’re a reader, a library card should be your best friend. My favorite app in the world, Libby, allows library card holders to get digital downloads. I can send pretty much any book I want to my kindle for free. My kindle is one of my favorite purchases for this reason. I’ve gotten way more than my money’s worth out of it.

  • Pro tip: Have friends or family with library cards they don’t use? You can put multiple cards on your Libby account and get a higher hold limit — and if they live somewhere else, potentially access to more/newer titles. Some cities also offer cards for non residents.

• “To Buy” list - When I read a book I really like, and know I’ll want to read again and have it in my collection, I’ll add it to my “To Buy” list. Then, whenever I get gift cards or have some extra money I want to spend on books, I only buy from that list. That’s what helps me build an intentional collection of books I love.

If you want to see everything I use in my home, I’ve put together a full list of intentional swaps here.

Learning to Want Less

Over time these swaps have helped me learn to want less. I’m not constantly buying things, chasing that feeling. I’ve built intentional systems around me that allow my buying to be more intentional too. Impulse buys are not my default anymore.

These swaps have also helped me save so much money. So now, when I need to buy something, I can go for higher quality, because I have the extra money, but also because I know I will use it until I can’t anymore.

When you appreciate what you have, you’re not worried about buying the next big thing.

I could honestly go on and on about this topic — it’s something I’m very passionate about. I hope you’ve found a few things on this list that you can implement in your own home. I did not get here overnight. I slowly swapped each category on this list over months, years even. Start with one that speaks to you and the rest will naturally follow as you notice how much better it feels.

Continue Reading …

Each month, I’ll share a snapshot of how I’m approaching everyday life: what I’m focusing on at home, what I’m cooking, what I’m paying attention to seasonally, realistic everyday wellness, and the small ways I make life more intentional. I’ll also be sharing how I work in hobbies, entertainment, and little luxuries — and what they look like from month to month.

My hope is to give you a modern version of that lost magazine ritual. Settle in with a coffee and peruse the pages to find inspiration in everyday living.

Welcome to July’s issue.

The Monthly Standard

Raising the standard of everyday living

July is the month that makes me feel like a kid again. When the weather gets hot and humid, I’m transported to a simpler time. A time when all I had to worry about was getting home before dark, when my days were ruled by the neighborhood kids and sleepovers.

This month I’m embracing my inner child — eating tomatoes straight from the garden, spending too much time outside, and doing whatever sounds fun.

I’m letting go of my expectation to have a perfect house all of the time, and putting that extra energy towards things that bring me joy. The days are longer and hotter, but somehow life feels lighter in July.

July is about getting back to those childhood summers, or at least some version of them.

In This Issue

Home, habits, and the rhythm of July

• At Home

  What’s changing as life gets busy

• In the Kitchen

  Garden produce and simple meals

• Living Well

  How I’m taking care of myself this summer

• Hobby Hour

  My summer reading challenge

• Entertainment Beat

  Recommending beach reads and fun summer movies

• Little Luxuries

  My summer ritual of happy hour at home

As I said, I’m not worried about having a perfect house right now. Life is too busy in the summer. There are more social plans, more things to do outside, trips and vacations, and therefore, cleaning looks a little different.

Here’s how my cleaning routine is shifting ahead of this busy month:

Maintaining:

• Daily non negotiables- I still make my bed, reset spaces when I’m done, tidy throughout the day, and reset the kitchen after dinner. Those are the bare minimum that keep the house from being total chaos.

Adjusting:

• General weekly cleans- Most rooms in the house need to be cleaned once a week, that doesn’t change. However, my schedule does. As a gardener, my life sort of revolves around the weather. If there’s a rainy day/evening in the forecast, I’ll probably wait to do most of the cleaning until then. Or if there’s no rain, I pick the hottest day (or the least busy) to stay inside and do all that weekly maintenance. This month I’m not stuck to a schedule.

• Mini Friday resets- Since I’m not on as strict of a schedule, I like to do a little reset on Fridays before I start my weekend, so I can still go into the weekend feeling calm. Here’s an example of a mini Friday reset:

  • Kitchen reset

  • Clean the dirtiest room of the house (or one that got missed that week)

  • 10 minute tidy of general living spaces

  • Vacuum all floors

Micro system spotlight:

10 Minute Tidy

In busy phases of life like summer, I rely on micro systems so much. And the 10 minute tidy is my favorite to whip out when things feel like they’re slipping. If I go too many days in a row without tidying, I know I’m just 10 minutes from feeling better.

Even on busy days, if you can find 10 minutes to tackle visual mess, you’ll be able to keep your house at that manageable bare minimum tidiness, without wasting your summer inside.

July is when the garden explodes. I’m looking forward to finally cooking consistently with my garden produce. That means lots of tomato dishes, herb garnishes, and veggie galore.

My favorite summer side dish is a “greek” salad:

All you need is cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, red onion, feta, olive oil, vinegar (I like red wine and white wine vin), and some herbs.

So simple, healthy, and refreshing. Pair it with a protein and you’ve got an easy summer meal.

I also lean on my crockpot during the summer months. Crockpots are typically viewed as a winter appliance but in the summer I’ll do anything to not turn the oven on. It also means I have more time to be outside and do all the fun things.

Something I’m trying this month:

Limoncello! I’ve had it before, but have never tried to make it myself … until now. It will be ready next weekend and I’m so excited to try different limoncello drinks all summer long.

This past week the summer heat has really set in, and I have my first sunburn of the year to prove it.

I know, I should have worn sunscreen, and usually I’m very good about it, but I was out in the garden and completely forgot.

So, since apparently I need some summer self-care reminders, I’m dropping these here for you so you can prep before it really kicks in.

Some gentle summer self-care reminders:

• Hydration

  Stay consistently hydrated so you don’t have to get rehydrated. Make it fun by eating lots of water-rich fruits (watermelons, cucumbers, etc.).

• SPF ALWAYS!!!

  Learn from my mistakes. Don’t forget to reapply!

• Avoid outdoor activities from 10AM-4PM when possible

  This makes it less likely for you to get a bad sunburn or get dehydrated.

• Don’t feel obligated to make plans just because “it’s summer”

  Obviously we should take advantage of the weather, but if you’re fully booking your calendar because you feel pressured by summer, and not because you really want to do those things, it’s okay to say no to a few things.

I’m also stocking up on sunscreen, aloe, and lip balm with SPF, the next time I go to the store.

If you’ve made it this far, I hope this issue has inspired you to slow down and enjoy July a little more intentionally.

Paid subscribers can continue reading for a look into my summer reading challenge, this month’s Entertainment Beat, and the luxurious ritual I’m using to upgrade my weeks this summer.

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A small sampling of the things social media tells us we should be doing or absolutely have to buy.

Social media romanticizes a lot of things, and wellness just happens to be the current fixation.

We need to be health maxxing, habit stacking, and buying all the hottest products.

These wellness trends mostly seem to be rooted in improving our appearance. With each scroll it’s easy to feel like you’ll never be skinny enough, tan enough, hot enough.

But that’s not wellness.

Wellness shouldn’t be about taut skin or getting a Pilates body, but instead should focus on our holistic wellbeing — mental, emotional, physical.

At least that’s the wellness I’m focused on.

So I’m sharing my everyday wellness rituals. They may not look like the “wellness” you hear about on social media, they’re rooted in more traditional healthy habits. I’m also sharing how I engage with wellness trends in a more intentional way.

My everyday wellness rituals

I’m here to remind you that “wellness” can be simple. And I’m willing to bet it’s already found in your everyday routines. My version of wellness is a healthy lifestyle.

Community Building

We’ve all heard it. With the rise of social media, and the fall of third places, we’re all feeling lonelier than ever. There’s no community anymore.

I would argue that a support network will do more for us than any protein soda ever will, especially when life gets us down. Lacking social connection can actually raise your risk of premature death … by 60%!!!

Knowing you have people to rely on, people to laugh with, and people to hang out with, does wonders for your mental health too.

Building community might be the most important wellness habit on here.

Here’s how I work my community into my daily life:

• Social plans once a week- Maybe it’s plans with friends on the weekend, a morning coffee date, or a family dinner on a Tuesday. Building this habit into your weekly routine is a good way to make sure you’re in consistent contact with your community. You’ll always have something to look forward to and it can help break up a boring work week. You’ll always feel better after too.

• Walk + Talk- This one is a bit lower effort than the previous one. This is one I use more with long distance family and friends. I try to walk almost every day and usually I listen to audiobooks, but sometimes I’ll call someone and chat while I walk. The benefits are two fold: the walk goes by faster and I get to talk to a loved one.

• Hobby Clubs- If you don’t have much of a community yet, a good way to still feel that connection is joining a hobby club. Think book club, knitting club, cookbook club, sports leagues — the options are endless. Think of all the people you could meet! There are even virtual options which can be more approachable.

Basic care

I may be a little biased, but I truly believe we can thrive when we have routines we can rely on. Setting up some kind of structure for my mornings and evenings helps me accomplish all the things I need and want to.

Here are the basic care routines I’ve turned into wellness rituals:

• A solid morning routine- Slow mornings are the real wellness hack. No 5 a.m. wake up required, just a few intentional additions. Morning sunlight, mandatory breakfast, resetting your space (make your bed, I promise it makes a difference!), and some form of movement. These are real (and virtually free) steps you can take to regulate your nervous system and start your day on the right foot. You can read more about my intentional morning routine here.

• An evening wind down routine- By the end of the day I’m more than ready to wind down. Before I established an evening routine, I felt like I never had enough time to do anything I wanted to do and always felt unsettled when I got into bed, like I didn’t truly unwind. My evening routine focuses on closing out the day, closing down my house, and giving some time back to myself at the end of crazy days. You can read the full breakdown here.

Nutrition

These may seem small, but good nutrition will do a lot more for you than a bunch of random supplements.

Here are the wellness habits I try to keep with my nutrition:

• never skip breakfast

• eat primarily whole foods - limiting processed foods to 1-2x/week

• only eating out 1-2x/month

A nutritious well balanced diet generally eliminates the “need” for random supplements or powders.

You will feel so much better too. That’s true wellness.

Daily Movement

The wellness space is constantly pushing us to work out, lift weights, go for a run, or some combination of it all. Personally, I’m not big on working out, but I reluctantly acknowledge it’s important for your health. As someone who works from home and spends most of their day at the computer, I have to actively try to reach my step count.

Here are the ways I add movement into my everyday without spending hours at the gym:

• Walking- Easily my favorite way because I can listen to an audiobook/podcast or call a friend while I do it. Lately I’ve been breaking it up by walking a bit in the morning and again on my lunch break if time allows. Find random times to work movement in. A game changer for me was getting a walking pad, so that weather is no longer a hinderance. I can still get daily walks in even when the weather is less than ideal.

• Morning Pilates/Yoga- These are so easy to do at home! YouTube is your best friend. I have a list of the pilates equipment I use at home here, for anyone interested. If you’re not compelled by these, YouTube has basically any workout you could want — Tai Chi, Zumba, HIIT, you name it. Or sign up for in person workout classes, and get some more social interaction in!

• Gardening- Now, if you’re not a gardener, this may seem silly to include here, but it truly is a workout! Constantly squatting, lifting, moving stuff around, walking, etc. On days that I’m out in the garden for hours I’m 100x more exhausted than most workouts I do. I suggest finding some sort of hobby that gets you outside and moving. I think tennis will be my next venture.

(These still count too):

• playing outside with your kids

• cleaning

• running errands (pro tip: park at the back of the parking lots!)

Every day I try to aim for at least an hour of movement, in whatever combination works for that day. Some days it’s all walking, some days it’s a short walk and gardening, and every once in a while I’ll deep clean for hours and don’t need any other kind of movement. I find doing it this way makes it a lot more enjoyable, because every day is different. And it mostly feels like part of things I would already be doing anyways.

Daily movement and wellness doesn’t have to look like fancy, expensive workout classes.

Environment / Home

Your home is considered an active component of your psychological well-being. If your home is chaotic, it’s likely your mind is too.

Here are a few home habits I keep to support my mental well-being:

• Reducing visual clutter- There’s nothing that overstimulates me more than a messy room. I can’t stand stuff sitting out on counters or shoes and bags flung everywhere. Keeping my home tidy is another way I keep my mind calm.

• Simple cleaning rhythms- I don’t let my home fluctuate between spotless and filthy. I prefer to keep a pretty consistent baseline clean. It’s much easier to maintain and my mental state thanks me. If you’re curious about how I do this, check out my weekly cleaning schedule.

How I engage with trends in an intentional way

All jokes aside, I know it’s very natural to buy into these wellness trends. I’ve done it myself, and probably will continue to do it from time to time.

But once you’ve reframed how you view “wellness”, and understand that one product is unlikely to totally transform you, you can engage with trends in a more intentional way.

I ask myself the following questions when I’m feeling compelled by a trend:

Is there a way I could try a simpler version of the thing?

For example, instead of immediately buying a bunch of pilates tools when it became trendy, I tried doing basic pilates, with no tools, at home in front of a YouTube video. Once I realized I really enjoyed it, and actually stuck with it for months, I decided to buy some pilates equipment. You can view a list of the equipment I use here.

Is there a natural alternative?

Are these alleged benefits actually true? And actually google it.

How long have I known about this product/tool?

If I genuinely think I would use it and it seems legit, I still wait a month before buying it. And I don’t mark my calendar. If I really liked it that much and it seemed that life changing, I will remember to buy it.

My recent example of this is my LED face mask. As someone who loves skincare, I was so tempted to buy one when they first got popular. But I forced myself to wait, researched benefits and good options, and finally allowed myself to buy one after two months. I can proudly say that seven months later I still use it almost every night, and absolutely love it. If you need a good LED mask rec, this is the one I use.

Thinking intentionally about the product or tool itself can stop you from making impulse purchases that will waste away and clutter your house.

Being intentional about trends, in the wellness space and beyond, will save you money, and ultimately help you live more authentic to yourself.

Wellness starts with how you feel in your body. Most of the wellness trends now focus on how your body looks. Reshaping your idea of wellness can also help you block out the “wellness” noise and focus on things that will actually benefit you in a real way.

- The Living Standard

Continue Reading …

It takes time, effort, and more importantly, decision making.

But we see it all the time — busy women pushed to decision fatigue because they’ve been putting in the time, massive amounts of effort, and making all the decisions for months on end — only for the house to still feel like a mess all the time.

Earlier this year I started The Living Standard because I finally figured out systems that make my life a million times easier, and keep my home calmer and cleaner than ever.

Before I created my systems, there were many times where I felt burnt out, convinced it was impossible to take care of a home in a way that didn’t make my brain want to explode. When you’re taking care of a home with no plan, you’re making a million little decisions every single day. Your brain can only take it for so long, before it eventually crashes.

The key to a clean, calm home is surprisingly not cleaning more. The key is fewer decisions.

When I started developing systems for my home and life, I also developed rules. These rules, along with my systems, have transformed the way I view taking care of my home. They’ve helped me change my mindset, the energy of my home, and given me back time to put towards more important things.

These are the rules that run my home for me.

#1 Maintenance beats catch-up

If you learn one thing from my Substack, I want it to be this. This rule is why I prefer to clean in small, daily bursts, instead of waiting for big weekly resets that are hours long.

Maintaining your home with small, consistent effort, feels way better than cleaning for hours on a Sunday. This is something I wish I started years ago. My weekends are freer, my house never feels like it gets to that messy point, and I feel like I spend less time cleaning.

Skeptical? Just try it for a week and see the difference it can make.

I always say “don’t let chores become projects”, meaning don’t let things pile up so much that it’s a big undertaking to get things back on track. The more you let things pile up, the harder it will be to convince yourself to take care of it.

#2 There’s a plan in place for everything

This is the rule that really helps limit that decision fatigue. When we create a plan through systems, we’re essentially making decisions for our future self.

For example, last week I shared my laundry system. By creating a laundry system, complete with scheduled days and a routine on those days, the task of laundry becomes a lot simpler.

Without a system, you’re left wondering when to do laundry. You then have to make decisions about if it needs to be done, when you should do it, if you’re going to have time to do it, when you should fold it, and it goes on and on.

With a system, it’s a no brainer. You follow the system, do laundry when you’re supposed to, and you don’t have to think about it any other times. Instead of cycling through 20 laundry decisions every day, you’re making a few laundry decisions, a few days a week, if that.

You can apply this logic to all areas of your house. That’s why I have systems for morning routines, nighttime routines, weekly cleaning, daily resets, monthly resets — all the way down to planning 90% of our meals for the week.

I don’t have to make many decisions day to day because I created systems that make those decisions for me.

#3 Friction gets removed

When something is annoying or hard to do, it makes us less likely to do it. You can create all the systems and rules you want, but if they’re too hard to consistently maintain, what good are they actually doing?

If a system isn’t working for you, the answer is not to try harder, the answer is to redesign the system. The simpler it is, the more likely you’re actually going to do it.

Move the basket, relocate the cleaning supplies, watch tv while you fold laundry. Whatever is going to make the system easier, do it.

These are the kinds of rules that keep things from spiraling.

But the rest of them get more specific. Less theory, more of the exact systems I rely on daily to keep my home running smoothly.

Things like how I make life easier for future me, how I reset spaces throughout the day, and the small standards that keep everything from turning into catch-up work.

The full list is below.

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