Step ten in Getting Out of Survival Mode is finding tools that make your life easier. For me, that was my hair. I have crazy curly hair, but my dh likes it straight and, frankly, so do I. so I’ve spent almost a lifetime straightening my hair, but as chronic illness, surgeries, and overwhelm collide, I find myself in dire need of tools to help me save time.
Here’s what I originally wrote …
“10. Styler
I bought myself an electric styling brush that has been a lifesaver. It straightens and even curls my hair when dry. So when I wake up, I can simply run the brush through my hair and I’m done in 10-15 minutes as opposed to taking 45-60 minutes blowdrying, curling and spraying my hair.”
This is what works for me. Your mileage may vary. You may need to look for other tools to help you with different things in your life. Here are just a few ideas.
1. There are tons of techie things that can make our lives easier: iPhones, iPads, computers, computer applications software… now that I can’t get around very well until my foot heals I’ve been using my iPad instead of my computer in order to write, send my newsletters, and post on social media.
2. There are also a lot of apps that can help you create whatever you need to with ease. I’ve installed several apps on my iPad to help it function more like my computer since I can’t get my walker into my office.
3. One of the most amazing techie items that I found recently is that my iPad comes with a voice recognition software that enables me to write without having to type. This is a fabulous little invention for people who have arthritis, as I do, but also for people with poor eyesight (as I also have) who are having a hard time typing or seeing the type-especially on a small screen. In fact, that is how I’ve written this very blog post.
4. There are many cooking tools on the market now that make it easier and quicker to cook a nutritious meal. Most of them are advertised on Infomercials, but many of them have proven to be of great help to those with chronic illness or other issues.
5. I’ve also found some other handy tools for hair. Instead of having to spend quite a lot of time styling your hair you can put it up with many new, inventive, and decorative hair thingies.
There is 2017 and there are many tools and devices that can help people with chronic illness or overwhelm or other issues do the things they need to get done each day with greater ease than ever before. What’s your favorite?