10 Home Items I've Been Loving Lately (As A Lazy Girl Who Loves Nice Things)

Ok, so I don't love the word "lazy" -- I think it's too often used to pass judgement, to enforce the idea that we ought to be achieving something at all times. Give me rest! Give me comfort! Give me space to be a human being! It's already a little ridiculous to me that we're alive on this rock on the edge of a tiny little galaxy, experiencing so much in such little time (Hey Albert Camus, I see you.)

Why put pressure on ourselves and each other to be so stressed about things that don't actually matter? Like, I want to spend the limited energy I have caring about other humans, taking in and preserving the beauty of nature, making art, not... producing output at any expense. So here, I use "lazy" in a cheeky way, an endearing way, a "rejecting pressure to constantly perform is actually a good thing!" way. Ok, I should probably move on from this existential blurb here.

Recently, I've been trying to do an audit of the things that I have, and whether or not they serve me. In many cases, things can and have become a bit of a burden (or at least added responsibility) in my life. In other cases, I actually use and benefit from the things that I own. I realize, and it sounds a bit obvious, that the latter should be the case for most things that I bring into my environment, at least in some way. That is, I want the things I surround myself with to be nice things, but for me. This hasn't always been the case for me, though.

You see, this relationship has evolved quite a bit for me over the years. I do live in a country where overconsumption is very much normalized and encouraged, after all. I grew up in a home where constant shopping and overspending was basically a default past time. There is often so much pressure to just add things to your life, nomatter how singular in function or short-lived they may be. It's largely how our systems are built: to encourage us to discard and replace, or to buy extremely specific things for extremely specific problems, rather than to shop for versatility, durability, or simplicity.

For me, I think this just creates noise. The clutter on the outside can transform into internal clutter -- and take away from the things that actuall feel like they matter (I knew that original tangent was somehow related!) Fortunately, as an adult, being exposed to different ways and paces of living has very much helped to increase my awareness of how I engage with things. It's allowed me to see that there are other options, and that I have the power to evaluate what actually works for my life.

Anyway, my whole point is that it's totally worthwhile to add things to your life that make it easier to, ya know, live your life -- when you've taken the time to evaluate what that means for you. I don't want this list of things that I personally love to be rashly adopted and purchased by my readers. Really, I just want to offer an idea: that you can audit your life, too! You get to decide what actually works for you, and it's totally within your power to whittle down your belongings to just those things! I promise, if you've spent much of your life feeling overwhelmed by the constant pressure to consume, it will feel so freeing.

Once you've done that, here are a few suggestions of items that have really worked well for me:

My favorite nice things

Full disclosure: these are affiliate links to Amazon. If you end up purchasing any of these items, I will receive a commission. However, please know that these are all products that I stand by! I hope you like them if you try them out!

1. A Silk Pillowcase

   Ok, this has gradually become something that I almost feel I can't sleep without. I mean, if I'm really tired I can, but it's just not the same. Hairstylists and ladies all over the globe will tell you: a silky fabric is just so much better for your hair and skin. The lower-friction material is just better for avoiding irritation, minimizing breakage, and keeping things cool. I can personally attest that my dry, sensitive skin has markedly improved by using one of these bad boys for the past year. I would literally buy one for all of my friends and family if I could!

2. A Rice Cooker

   I wrote a whole post about why this kitchen appliance can be such a game changer. I really haven't found anything else to match its convenience or value. Although this can be quite an investment, I can truly say that it's worth saving for if you find yourself stuck when it comes to cooking healthy meals at home. For a busy schedule, or when you're just too tired at the end of the day, this rice cooker can be the difference between $20 takeout or having a nutritious home-cooked meal (plus leftovers!)

3. A Humidifier

   This one is particularly great if you happen to live in a dry climate (which I do!) I also just so happen to have dry, sensitive skin, and oh boy, has a humidifier made all the difference. My incredible partner had the (very thoughtful) idea to buy one of these and place it right by my bedside, so I feel like I'm getting a mist treatment at the spa every night. Ever since, I've been waking up feeling much more refreshed -- and less parched!

4. An Air Purifier

   I think this category of product is just going to become more popular as we become more aware of pollution in our environment. When I was getting my undergraduate biology degree, I spent a lot of time working in a research lab where we studied the effects of pollution on animals and their nervous systems (maybe I'll write a post about it?) Basically, there is so much gunk in our air and water that sort of goes...unaddressed. For my health, getting an air purifier was just a no brainer.

5. A Zester

   Although people most often use this gadget for citrus zesting, it can do so much more. Garlic? You got it! Turmeric? Perfect for grating. My personal favorite: parmesan cheese. I love to hold this zester right over my freshly plated meal and go to town with a block of parmesan. Sometimes, I'll also pre-shred some cheese and store for easy topping later. As a cheese lover, this zester has become one of my favorite kitchen tools.

6. A Slow Cooker

   Ok, so this one is probably already familiar to most people reading, but it's a tried and true favorite of mine. Similar to the rice cooker, I just find that owning a slow cooker makes meal planning so much easier. Just search Pinterest or any cookbook section and you'll find hundreds of amazing, hands-off recipes that work perfectly for this versatile kitchen appliance. You'll almost certainly find one at any family gathering or potluck. Buffalo. Chicken. Dip. Need I say more? I personally love how this one has a digital, programmable display, and that it will keep your food warm once it's done!

7. A Really Good Robe

   This is one of those every-day luxuries that I really don't want to go without. A cozy Sunday morning just isn't the same without feeling like I'm cloaked in a soft layer of fabric, and a robe makes that a functional reality. Another alternative? A wearable blanket! Both just give me that safe and warm feeling of slowing down and resting, a much needed recharge after a busy week.

8. A Good Way to Prepare Coffee

   For my coffee lovers, you know what I'm talking about. Not all coffee preparation is the same. Have you ever tried pour-over coffee? No? Well, let me change your world. Finding a good method for making your morning coffee can feel like you're getting so much more from that bag of beans you picked up at the local market. You can really taste those notes that are mentioned on the back! They are real! Upgrading this ritual has been a very special treat, and it's build in an extra few minutes in the morning to slow down and reflect. Recently I've been loving my Bialetti, but I can also highly recommend a Chemex pour-over or, for a quicker but luxurious method, this Terra Kaffe espresso machine.

9. A Quality Water Filter

   This is also very much in the vein of For My Health. My specific research in college focused on water quality, and oh boy... in many places (especially in the US,) it just isn't good. Fun fact: in my neighborhood, there's a specific advisory due to most of the pipes being old, and lined with lead. But on a more general note, EPA standards just aren't what they oughta be. This is my personal favorite water filter. It's super effective and fits perfectly in our pantry.

10. A Really Nice Shower Sponge

    Another small luxury, a good show sponge can make bath time feel so luscious. I recently discovered the joy of these beauties when we visited my partner's family in Italy last fall. His mom, an incredibly thoughtful host, provided us with a whole inventory of toiletries, and this item was by far my favorite! Ok, and also the toothpaste I haven't been able to find in the US, but these sponges really have transformed my hygiene game. They just feel like they really scrub my skin, without irritating it. If you do try this one out, just make sure to change it out every couple months or so, as you should with any lathering tool!

And for now, that's my list! Are there any special items you would add? Any tips for elevating your daily life? Please comment below!