12 WAYS TO SAVE AN HOUR every day!
Fairlady|July/August 2022
VERY FEW OF US THINK WE HAVE TIME FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DEALING WITH. BUT WE DO! HERE ARE 12 EXCELLENT WAYS TO CARVE OUT AN EXTRA HOUR FOR YOURSELF EVERY DAY TO USE HOWEVER YOU LIKE: WRITING THAT BOOK, DOING AN ONLINE COURSE, RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY, OR JUST STARING AT A WALL WHILE YOU SETTLE YOUR SOUL.
SARAH CHARLSTON
12 WAYS TO SAVE AN HOUR every day!

1 HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE

There's an old Yiddish saying: 'Lose an hour in the morning and you'll chase it all day.' And it's true. If you simply drift into your day any old how, you're not signalling to yourself that you need to get your act together. So chances are you won't. Start as you mean to carry on: with commitment. Your morning practice might be a walk, a 10-minute stretch, a cup of coffee while you soak up vitamin D in the sun - whatever it is, it must become a habit.

A morning routine is something highly productive people have in common. The reason? Sticking to a routine requires discipline. It's the daily practice of discipline that will set you up for the rest of the day rather than what you do in that time, and that's what will save you time in the long run.

2 KEEP A TIME DIARY FOR A WEEK

Yes, this is a boring thing to do: to log exactly how you spend your time every day for a week. But it is very informative and will give you the big picture you need to equip yourself better for making decisions about the changes you'll need to implement. Spending 20 minutes a day staring into the fridge? Cut it to five (we all need a good rummage around in there, but 20 minutes may be a bit excessive). Chatting to your colleagues for 15 minutes while you wait for the kettle to boil? Well, that just might be one of the essentials you keep: a catch-up on office politics is always useful. An hour spent picking up groceries for dinner every day on your way home from work? Not necessary - one two-hour shop a week instead will save you loads of time. Keep the diary and make the changes. It's only seven days!

3 SET SOCIAL MEDIA TIMES

This story is from the July/August 2022 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the July/August 2022 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FAIRLADYView All
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Fairlady

'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'

Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Fairlady

'We have to tell HARD STORIES'

Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.

time-read
6 mins  |
July/August 2024
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
Fairlady

THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe

We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July/August 2024
LIFT your GAME
Fairlady

LIFT your GAME

Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Fairlady

TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS

Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Fairlady

PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT

Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2024
BIG SKY Country
Fairlady

BIG SKY Country

Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Fairlady

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?

Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
Fairlady

HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE

The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
How to write a memoir
Fairlady

How to write a memoir

Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024