Things People Buy Once and Then Wonder How They Lived Without Them
I’m convinced there’s a category of products that feel unnecessary right up until you own them… and then suddenly you’re annoyed you didn’t buy them sooner.
Here are a few of those. No hype — just stuff that quietly upgrades your life.
1. The one charger that replaces every charger you own
I didn’t think I cared about this. Turns out I very much did.
One cable. Phone, headphones, tablet, random electronics. Done.
Amazon.com: chubbycable Chubby 2.0 USB C 240W Fast Charging Cable Silicone Soft Durable USB C Cable Extra Thick Charger Cord Compatible with
2. Noise-canceling headphones that make public places tolerable again
Airplanes. Coffee shops. People chewing.
These are the reason I don’t lose my mind in public anymore.
Buy Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 Wireless Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones with Multi-Sensory Bass, Active Noise Cancelling, Up to 60 Hours Battery
3. A sunrise alarm clock (sounds fake, works weirdly well)
Instead of a jump-scare alarm, the room slowly gets brighter like a sunrise.
Waking up feels… less hostile.
Amazon.com: REACHER Wood Grain Sunrise Alarm Clock and Sound Machine Nightlight, Digital Dimmable Clock for Bedroom, 26 Sleep Sounds, White
4. A heated blanket that is dangerously easy to justify
This is not just for winter. This is for “I want to be cozy immediately.”
You will use it more than you think.
Buy Anysay Heated Blanket Throw with 1/2/4/6/8 Hours Auto-Off 10 Heat Level, 50'' * 60'' Cozy Faux Rabbit Fur Bubble Electric Blanket with O
5. An air fryer that makes frozen food taste illegal
I don’t care what anyone says — this thing earns its counter space.
Everything comes out better. Everything.
Amazon.com: Ninja Air Fryer, 8 QT DoubleStack 2-Basket, Space Saving Design, Cooks 2lb Chicken Wings, Feeds up to 6 People, 6-in1 Air Fryer,
I didn’t need any of these.
Now I wouldn’t give them up.
If you’re the kind of person who likes small upgrades that quietly make life better, this list is dangerous.
As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
I'm going to do NaClYoHo this year (see linked site). I forgot about it yesterday but I still cleaned!
Welcome to
NATIONAL CLEAN YOUR HOME MONTH
The Manifesto
Our motto: “If you can’t do a great thing, do a something.”
I washed dishes to clean out the sink so that I could clean/process the vegetables from my community farm workshare. I didn't podcast (on account of the forgot) but! I did call my mom and chat with her.
I'll put my goal list under the cut bc it got long Fast. I'll try to put all the tags i want to use on this post, but maybe I'll make more (esp for projects).
Some categories that I want to work with this month include:
-Body maintenance (my shoulder pain is flaring back up bc I haven't been doing my PT. Also I started roller derby and that has been a good challenge for my body) (I also need to work on medical transition logistical things. Perhaps that will become its own category)
-Vehicle maintenance (need to do an oil change, check for leaks, refill various fluids, winterize the vehicle, clean out the backseat, and write down my maintenance from last month
-General maintenance (I would like to sweep, vacuum, and keep my dishes washed in all the rooms/zones. I also need to take out the recycling and trash as the month goes)
-Life upgrades (I need a winter job, to apply for next year's community farm internship, and to finish my degree (so close!)
-Bathroom deep clean (I've been keeping up on maintenance but it needs the deep clean and scrub down. I also need to restock the toiletries)
-Kitchen deep clean and organization (it's been a minute since I went through the food especially. Need to set it up for winter food storage from the farm and clear out space in my freezer for new deer meat from this year's upcoming hunt)
-Entry hallway deep clean and reorganization (it's a crowded walkway right now and I would like to clean off everything, sort it, and deal with the sorted piles. I do not look forward to going through all of my mail. But alas! I've also toyed with the idea of switching from my landlords dining style table to a bench and wall hooks. Perhaps this will be the month! There's also quite a few boxes of papers and whatnot stacked in the hallway from when I moved that just don't have a better home. I need to find them a home.)
-Shortpile Rug Zone overhaul (this area includes all my plants, my bookshelf and my dining table which is you guessed it! full of papers. There's also a few boxes from my move that again don't have a home and some incomplete projects (rocking chair rebuild))
-Living Room Zone overhaul (Again lots of papers and books to sort through. I have some overdue books I need to return to my library. My meds and first aid supplies need sorted through. I would like to set up another foam Cube for my stuffed creatures in my Cozy Zone. My Shabbat candles zone needs a good cleaning and overhaul, and I need more shabbat candles! I might attempt to make some while doing candle making at the community farm (normally they just do advent candles) I'd like to see if I can set up my universal remote to work with my DVD player (already set up for the tv).)
-Projects and Upgrades (my bathroom dehumidifier broke this summer so I either need to fix it or replace it for winter. Pots and pans in the kitchen need sorted through. Need to get rid of my old toaster oven either through donation or electronics recycling. I should really go through all my clothes again to check for fit and if I like them, donating/consigning what I don't need. I have a few clothes items that need repaired (embroidery jacket has a torn pocket, fancy pants have a hole in the pocket iirc, purple button up shirt has a ripped off cuff button, and I have some pants that need hemmed). There's a crocheted gift I started for a friend years ago and I would really like to finish that. In furniture land I need to do some repairs on my dad's old record cabinet so that it is usable again, finish the rocking chair repair project, and get my record player working! My phone needs a sort through and clean out, especially of the photos. I also want to switch my computer over to Linux, which will probably include cleaning out my computer storage. I'd love to print out some photos too. My cookbook needs a new cover page bc I don't like the one my mom made. I need to finish painting a small wooden box/chest. I would like a deer hide display spot while I continue to muse over what projects I should do with them.)
Last week I started recording a video diary! Since I finally have a capable camera and editing system, why the hell not? I think it will help me work out my therapy more thoroughly. I'm going to record another one tomorrow at some point. I am so excited! Now if only this /fucking/ cold sore would disappear already
