When life feels chaotic—especially in the summer with kids home, messy schedules, and overflowing to-do lists—it’s often the small things that create the biggest shift. In this episode of The Lazy Genius Podcast, host Kendra Adachi shares six small habits that are transforming her days.
These aren’t productivity hacks—they’re gentle adjustments that honor the season you’re in. Whether you’re managing a household, parenting, or just trying to find five peaceful minutes, these ideas might just spark a new rhythm for you too.
1. Start the Day in a Sports Bra
Sometimes the biggest hurdle to moving your body is simply changing clothes. Kendra skips that barrier by starting her day already dressed to move—even if she’s not sure when it will happen.
“If things are going to get done, I need to be like a snowball rolling down a hill.”
She’s loving the Brooks Women’s Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra, especially for those with a larger chest.
2. Ditch the Sugar in Your Morning Coffee
Rather than a full dietary overhaul, Kendra made one small sustainable change: skipping sugar in her morning cup. The result? Her LDL cholesterol dropped more than 20 points.
“Small things, baby. They really do work.”
Lesson: meaningful change doesn’t have to be dramatic.
3. Pack Snacks Even If You’re Staying Home
Tired of last-minute snack scrambling? Kendra packs containers of fruit, popcorn, and veggies each day—even if her family isn’t going anywhere.
Whether they head to the pool or just hang at home, snacks are ready to grab, and stress stays low.
4. Check Your “Playbook” Every Day
Instead of a planner, Kendra uses a seasonal Playbook—a custom companion notebook that tracks what matters most that month.
Each day she reviews:
- What matters this season
- Key tasks for the week
- Gentle reminders to stay grounded
For more on the Playbook, check out Episode 417: My Favorite Planning Tool Ever.
5. Keep Summer Books in the Living Room
As a self-proclaimed mood reader, Kendra curates 30 books that “feel like summer” and keeps them in sight and in reach.
“They’re plugged in right there where I am, and I can partake any time.”
By reducing decision fatigue and increasing visibility, reading becomes joyful, not overwhelming.
6. Force a Daily Family Group Hug
Even if the family is scattered or busy, Kendra calls out “family hug!” to bring everyone together, even for 10 seconds.
- It reconnects them.
- It relieves stress.
- It’s goofy and grounding.
“Even if we don’t do anything as a unit of five all day long, we have our hug—and it really does make a big difference.”
Bonus Tip from a Listener: The Streaming Tracker Notebook
Lazy Genius of the Week Tara Little keeps a small notebook on the coffee table to jot down what her family is watching (and on which app). It saves time, reduces decision fatigue, and prevents endless scrolling.
It’s Not Flashy, But It Works
None of these daily habits are flashy or complicated—but that’s exactly the point. They fit into real life. They adapt to changing seasons. And most importantly, they actually help.
Which one will you try first?
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