13 little things that (might) make your life better

Rules I made up

Feb 20, 2026

Everyone on the internet is always talking about habits that help you level up, optimize, and maxx your life but this post is NOT like other boys. I’ve already written about ~the whimsical habits~ but I wanted to share some practical ones, too.

I’m not going to preach about having a morning routines (bc I myself can’t seem to stick to one) or getting 10K steps a day (even though you WILL be happier and more fit if you do), but I am going to share the niche things that make my life… better.

These are little things that make made my day-to-day life run more smoothly. Mentally, physically, emotionally… they help me manage all the -lys.

And it’s worth noting that aside from a couple examples, these are not products that I am suggesting you go out and buy. But rather, simple but significant* habits for normal people.

*RIP Don Draper, you probably would have loathed (but secretly loved) Substack.

13 little habits that might make your life better:

Use the block button with as much frequency and conviction as you hit follow. I have hundreds of people and accounts blocked across my social media platforms. I personally see only positives from this! The internet is insane—how wonderful that you can protect yourself from people and accounts that make you feel anxious, bad, angry, envious, etc. with the click of a button. Unfollowing and muting works, too, I guess, but where’s the fun in that?
Have an airport routine. Keep the pouch of all your plane needs — hand sanitizer, lip balm, headphones, eye mask, aspirin, etc — stocked so you don’t have to think about it. Keep loyalty points with one or two airlines. Schedule your Uber ahead of time or block your schedule to take public transit. Wear the same airport outfit and opt for something a little more put together than yoga pants. I’ve replaced my leggings with equally comfy and infinitely more chic track pants and instead of a sweatshirt I opt for a cashmere cardigan.
Always have ramen in your cupboard. Interchangeable for whatever your easy, zero ingredient meal is. I travel a lot (as seen by my airport routine) and always get back to my apartment late and hungry. Having a no effort, satisfying enough meal at the ready is always a ‘pat myself on the back’ kind of relief.
on my way there <> on my way home
Rent clothes for special occasions. I love the novelty of a new outfit. I do not love the toll that takes on my bank account. Renting gives you the best of both worlds. I’ve tried them all and Rent the Runway is best for high-quality items like dresses and coats. Fashion Pass is best for trendy, one-off pieces. Pickle is great if it’s popular in your city. Nuuly is the most hit or miss and undoubtedly the most time consuming, but they have great brands.
Buy your books from your local bookstore. You don’t have to shop small for everything, but try to consistently shop small for *one* thing. Books are art and local bookstores are their galleries. I like to keep the cash flowing in that immediate community ecosystem. This is a fun way to ritualize a hobby and break free of mindless Amazon clicks.
Set-up a monthly/quarterly/yearly donation to a cause you care about and put on auto-pay. A year ago I joined the NY Young Lions which is a group that benefits the NY Public Library system. I make a monthly payment and get to attend fun events and know I am contributing to something important in my city. I also make a small donation to Planned Parenthood each month. Both are tax deductible and I don’t even think about them. Set them, forget them, make an impact.
Solve your #1 beauty pet peeve and never skip the upkeep. There are two things I know to be absolutely true: I feel one million percent better when my nails are done and I don’t have the energy for a manicure every 2 weeks. Solution: a Russian manicure every 4 to 5. They are more expensive than a standard manicure, but they NEVER chip and look pretty much perfect until your next appointment. Plus my nails are strong underneath and you don’t have to soak your fingers in toxic acetone to get them off. I have a standing appointment and it’s baked into my ‘sunk cost’ budget.
3 weeks old vs. day one mani
Have a basic understanding of what’s going on in the world. This is especially true in your 30s and beyond. At the very least, having a general knowledge of what’s happening around you makes you a more attractive and interesting conversationalist. At most, you can change the world!!! You don’t have to be plugged in 24/7 to stay up-to-date. Limit your news to a 15-minute podcast or a daily email newsletter. Follow one specific journalist that you respect. But being an active participant in the happenings of your city/state/country is just part of being a responsible adult. Apathy is out.
Weave audiobooks into your them into your media consumption. If you enjoy listening to podcasts, you’ll love listening to memoirs and other non-fiction on audio. What they lack in podcast host banter they make up for in rich storytelling. They also count towards your reading goals! (If you disagree please argue with a wall <3) If you have Spotify premium, hundreds of these are included with your membership and I have tons of recommendations. Maybe I’ll write a separate post, but in the meantime: Strangers by Belle Burden (hot right now), The Uncool by Cameron Crowe, and How to Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell.
Figure out what calms your nervous system. We all have things connect us back to our center. It’s personal and might require a week of paying close attention to where you feel most at peace. For me, it’s writing in my journal, reading before bed, and doing little crafts when I need a screen time break. For you it might be going for an afternoon walk, meditating, or taking a bubble bath. Pencil in non-negotiable time for whatever tickles your fancy.
me when I’m overwhelmed but usually there’s a glue gun involved
Tailor your clothes. Looking chic is less about what you are wearing and more about how it falls on your body. Spend the $20-$50 extra dollars and have something that fits your body perfectly. You’ll be surprised at how much more often you find yourself reaching for that jacket/pair of pants/dress/etc.
and in a similar vain… Get things fixed! We are part of the generation that throws things away instead of fixing them. The strap broke on my favorite pair of heels and they were only $50 from Zara so I was quick to rationalize a new pair. I was devastated when I went online and they were sold out! I ended up taking them to the cobbler (how cute is that, btw, a cobbler) and got them fixed up for $10! Huge lesson for me. You can also replace the soles of your shoes to extend their life and comfort levels. City living learnings!
Turn on a 10-minute end of night timer and tidy up until it rings. This has made me so much more organized! I am a night owl, often working into the late evening, so by the end of the day my house feels especially lived in. Instead of letting it overwhelm me, I set a 10-min timer and tidy up what I can. Pretty much everything gets done in that time frame and it makes the task of ‘closing up the house’ at 10pm more manageable.