I have recently started seeing a chiropractor, requiring three visits a week for the first month, plus daily at-home exercises. On top of that, I’ve been reflecting on how to improve our family’s eating habits and tackling the countless tasks that keep our household running smoothly all while dealing with a senior dog who is requiring more care. It feels like there’s always something to juggle, and when your energy is limited, things inevitably slip through the cracks.

For many, managing daily responsibilities while dealing with health conditions or low energy levels can be overwhelming. We’re taught to believe that certain routines or tasks are essential to maintaining a “normal” life. But what is normal, really? Often, these expectations stem from societal pressures rather than our personal needs.

It’s time to challenge these norms and embrace strategies that conserve energy—allowing us to focus on what truly matters, including our well-being. Here are a few ideas to lighten the load:

1. Rethink Household Chores

• Dishwashing: Skip the pre-scrubbing. Load the dishwasher as-is and run it twice if necessary. Let them dry in the dishwasher.
• Laundry: Forget sorting. Wash smaller, mixed loads with cold water to avoid color bleeds.

2. Let Go of Perfection

• Clothes: Don’t stress about inside-out garments. Hang or store them as they are. For items like pajamas, skip folding altogether.
• Beds: Making the bed can wait. Skip a day (or two) if you’re not feeling up to it.

3. Simplify Meals

• On low-energy days, order takeout or rely on healthy, ready-to-eat snacks. Dinner doesn’t have to be a grand production every night.

These small adjustments can free up mental and physical energy. Ultimately, finding what works for you is key.

Share Your Tips!

I’d love to hear how you conserve energy throughout your day. Share your ideas in the comments—let’s build a toolkit for thriving in a world that often asks too much of us..