Yes, we’re still in the coronavirus pandemic, but honestly, there are lots of times when time makes no sense. It’s a struggle to get a handle on how to manage our time when our regular average day and the regular average things you normally do to fill it gets turned upside-down. So today we’re going to revisit the three Lazy Genius pillars of time through the lens of time making no sense. Helpful Companion Links The Favorites File is the entertaining homework you didn’t know you needed right now...
Apr 13, 2020•24 min
Based on the number of downloads of past episodes related to reading, I know that there’s an overwhelming majority of people listening who really love to read. So when our regular reading rhythms are disrupted by odd circumstances, it’s nice to have a roadmap of how to get back to normal or how to create a new normal. That’s what this episode will do. Stuff Mentioned I’m planning to be on Instagram @thelazygenius this Thursday around noon ET to chat about this topic, so be sure to follow me ther...
Apr 06, 2020•24 min
Whenever I share something about eating outside, the questions pour in on how to do it. Breaking things up a bit and getting into the fresh air sounds really good right about now, so lets Lazy Genius eating outside. Helpful Companion Links The Lazy Genius Cleans the Kitchen is a good refresher on how to reset your kitchen after a meal, so apply the same dishes zone principle to eating outside. If you have ideas on how to eat outside with more ease and fun, share them on Instagram using #lazygeni...
Mar 30, 2020•16 min
These are weird, scary, surreal times, but, honestly, I am grateful for how this global crisis has already affected how we see. Here are five things to remember when you’re stuck at home…or maybe when you’re just stuck. People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Incomparable Mister Rogers, who tells us to look for the helpers Seth Godin, who reminds us the ocean is made of drops Ralph Waldo Emerson, who encourages us to scatter joy Ingrid Fetell Lee, who wrote the book Joyful Myquillyn S...
Mar 23, 2020•20 min
Note from Kendra: This episode of The Lazy Genius Podcast was recorded before the majority of changes, postponements, cancelations and recommendations for social distancing due to covid-19 were enacted. Please know that I am thinking of the Lazy Genius community during these uncertain times. Be well. Naming what you’re good at is a simple exercise in being kind to yourself. And to be a Lazy Genius, you need to do that! Your gifts and abilities and ways of seeing and being in the world are signif...
Mar 16, 2020•19 min
We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to mark moments, make memories, and give our kids something to remember. Even if you don’t have kids, there’s still a high cultural premium on memories. Scrapbooking, photo albums, daily journals, the Gram. But if we try to manufacture memories, mechanize them, we’ll get overwhelmed by something that our brains already do. Let’s make memories like a Lazy Genius. Helpful Companion Links You can listen to Ten Steps to Creating Your Own Traditions (even if it’s...
Mar 09, 2020•24 min
In today’s episode, I’ll give you some ideas on how to move forward with a pseudo-traditional capsule wardrobe, but you’re a really smart person. If you pay attention to what matters, what doesn’t, and you create a few guidelines around those things, you can create your own process for building a capsule wardrobe. Helpful Companion Links My book is about to be a real, physical thing in the world! You can check out the cover and preorder it here. Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing list here to stay...
Mar 02, 2020•27 min
What’s the problem with picky kids? It’s frustrating to make food that doesn’t get eaten. More than that, we worry that our kids aren’t getting the nutrients they need or that they’ll only eat brown and red foods for the rest of their lives. But really, when it comes down to it, it’s fear. Let’s flip the script and nurture kids who trust their bodies. Helpful Companion Links Here’s the first episode I did on intuitive eating and here’s a list of intuitive eating resources crowdsourced from Lazy ...
Feb 24, 2020•30 min
Listen, I know this is super specific. I know this topic is privileged and it comes with baggage. But I also know it’s important to talk about these things, particularly if you’re in a season of life where something’s gotta give. This episode has practical thoughts about hiring a housecleaner, and a little pep talk about letting go of the shame and embarrassment that often comes with asking for help. Stuff Mentioned I first mentioned hiring a housecleaner in my monthly newsletter, The Latest Laz...
Feb 17, 2020•22 min
Today, we’re diving into the logistics of building community — specifically in our female friendships. We all want to get together with friends and do fun things, have traditions and all of that. So this episode is important in its simplicity because friendship matters. Helpful Companion Links There’s a friendly space for Lazy Geniuses here on the Internet in the form of a private Facebook group. Join us and get help or give help in being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the ...
Feb 10, 2020•24 min
I believe in a world where it is fun and not loaded to talk about our bodies because our bodies are awesome. Full disclosure: I haven’t always felt this way, not by a long shot. I understand the difficulty here, so let’s move into this topic together. Stuff Mentioned I got on my soapbox last week thanks to an episode on Living Without Food Rules. It’s a RUHL good time if you missed it. Sarah of @thebirdspapaya is one of the most powerful voices I’ve encountered around thinking about our bodies. ...
Feb 03, 2020•10 min
Let's play a game. Let's name all of the food rules you've experienced in your life. Yeah...we'll be here a while and we probably won't feel that great after we list them all out. That's why I'm so passionate about talking about living without food rules. We don't need them, y'all. Here's why. Helpful Companion Links I host a secret monthly podcast with my sister on Patreon. You can become a patron by signing up for The Lazy Sisters Podcast here. Here’s The Lazy Genius and Healthy Eating episode...
Jan 27, 2020•30 min
I know that so many of you folks who listen to this podcast love to read. You love books and more books and finding more ways to get more books into your life. In today’s episode, we’ll create a quick and easy path to figuring out what to read this winter if that’s on your radar and how to make the most of your reading minutes over the next couple of months. Helpful Companion Links Here’s my winter stack if you need to see my titles in black and white pixels. I take this seasonal approach to mea...
Jan 20, 2020•23 min
I love putting the proper importance on food and meals and gathering around the table but not wasting energy on the wrong things. Those wrong things look different for everyone listening, but today we’re going to figure out what matters and what doesn’t around your winter table. Stuff Mentioned The list of actual meals my family is eating from my Winter Dinner Queue this season. Hope*Writers is opening its doors to new members now through Friday, January 17th. If you already know you want in, yo...
Jan 13, 2020•25 min
Today, I’m giving you two simple questions to ask yourself as you move into 2020 so that you can see your time in a way that makes sense for the season you’re in and makes a difference in your everyday life. Helpful Companion Links January’s Latest Lazy Letter goes out on Wednesday, and I would love for it to land in your inbox if it doesn’t already. Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing to get this once-a-month email chock full of book recommendations, podcast talk, and a little insight I don’t shar...
Jan 06, 2020•19 min
Goals aren’t so you’ll look or be the way you think you should. They’re not to make you fit in. They’re not to make you seem like someone who’s got their life together. They’re for you. Helpful Goal-Related Companion Links Don’t set stupid goals. Here’s how. The perfect solution to dealing with screwing up a goal. If you’re craving something a little more tangible today, listen to The Lazy Genius Sets Goals or read How to Set Goals like a Normal Person. If you’re great at setting goals but it’s ...
Dec 30, 2019•5 min
Christmas is in two days. Here’s a super quick pep talk that will remind you of two important things you can do during this season. Merry Christmas! Helpful Companion Links If Christmas Eve Eve has you feeling squirrelly, listen (or relisten) to last week’s episode Ten Ideas for a Holiday Reset. Download a transcript of this episode. This podcast is hosted by Kendra Adachi and executive produced by Kendra Adachi, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. To learn more about listener data and our privacy ...
Dec 23, 2019•5 min
We have one week until Christmas, and it might already be time for a reset. No matter how intentional we are, how much margin we create, things surprise us. And that’s okay and normal and we’ll all be fine. Here are ten tips for a reset in case you need one. Stuff Mentioned A few crowdsourced Lazy Genius holiday traveling road trip tips. Make that trip to visit grandma enjoyable from the first mile through pulling back into your driveway. And here's a companion episode for holiday road trips. I’...
Dec 16, 2019•20 min
I love a good mood. I love a good vibe. And our holiday memories aren’t always what we did; it’s about how we felt. We remember the vibe, the feeling the environment gave us. Let’s focus on creating that vibe and let the activities happen as they will. Here’s how. Helpful Companion Links Background music is the perfect way to add a little atmosphere to your gathering (or your workday). Here’s a post with my favorite Christmas albums and nine carefully crafted holiday playlists I had the most fun...
Dec 09, 2019•19 min
We’re all in gift-giving and gift-buying mode and spending a lot of time on it or least are gearing up to. I want to help you be happy with the gifts you give and be more strategic and thoughtful about the time you spend on finding and buying those gifts. We’ll go through a step by step process, and I think that by the end of this episode, you’ll feel so much better about things. Stuff Mentioned Check out my Holiday Gift Guide chock full of gift ideas that are things that I have actually bought ...
Dec 02, 2019•19 min
A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post titled Ten Commandments of Thanksgiving Weekend. Looking back on it, I realized some things changed, and that’s okay. That’s why I’ve put together ten strategies that will help your entire Thanksgiving week whether you’re hosting or not. This can be such a beautiful time of year, especially if you think like a Lazy Genius and be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t. Helpful Companion Links For Thanksgiving Week The ...
Nov 25, 2019•19 min
I love the idea of being thoughtful and intentional about anything, and traditions definitely fit the bill. So today, we’re going to walk through ten steps to creating your own so you’ll be able to think about traditions like a Lazy Genius and then maybe actually do them. This conversation is all about creating your own traditions, so no matter what your family unit looks like, this conversation is for you. Helpful Companion Links This week’s topic was inspired by a conversation during last week...
Nov 18, 2019•23 min
Y’all, we’re about to spend an entire episode talking about Thanksgiving turkey. Or just turkey if you periodically cook a ten pound bird when it’s not Thanksgiving. I want to talk through it a little because sometimes we need a voice telling us we’re doing okay, especially when we’re dealing with a giant dead bird and hungry, mildly judgmental family members. Stuff Mentioned I shared my absolute favorite turkey recipe a few years ago, and I still stand by it. Watch the crowd from New Girl defro...
Nov 11, 2019•24 min
It is the first week of November, and all of the holiday hosting is about to hit hard so I want to give you some tools to enjoy this time, not dread it. Helpful Companion Links Get this month’s Latest Lazy Letter by joining the Lazy Genius VIP list here. I share ten Thanksgiving hosting tips along with three keys to hosting success in The Lazy Genius Hosts Thanksgiving. If you’re already bracing yourself for the grating conversations you’ll have with family members you can’t not invite to things...
Nov 04, 2019•28 min
It’s about that time. Grandparents in faraway states are waiting, but getting in the car with all the stuff and possibly all the children can feel daunting. Hopefully, this episode will help that, but please note, this episode only covers being in the car, not packing or being on vacation or leaving or coming home. It’s just for being in the car, which is really the most exhausting part. Stuff Mentioned See how other Lazy Geniuses tackle road trips with Road Tested Road Trip Tips, a round-up of ...
Oct 28, 2019•22 min
Chaos and frenzy pull me under. I feel stressed out, I get headaches, I get mad, my body physically hurts, and I don’t enjoy what’s happening right in front of me. That’s no fun at any point in the year or my life, but it’s a particular bummer around this time of year. None of us want to feel frenzied, but sometimes even with intentional plans, it happens anyway. Today, let’s talk about one small way to keep that frenzy at bay. If you haven’t joined me over Instagram, you can find me @thelazygen...
Oct 21, 2019•17 min
A few weeks ago, I shared how I plan a week like a Lazy Genius. That led us to a great conversation on Instagram about the many, many options available to us when we’re choosing a planner. But here’s the thing, there’s no perfect planner because there’s no way to manufacture a perfect life. This week, I’m sharing how to use planners as tools in being a genius about things that matter and lazy about things that don’t. Links That Might Be Helpful If you’re looking for planners that I’ve used in th...
Oct 14, 2019•25 min
There are lots of ways to approach shopping for groceries from where you go to making a shopping list, and today I’m going to share my seven principles for buying groceries like a Lazy Genius. We can, in fact, Lazy Genius just about anything, including how, when, where, and even why you buy groceries. I think you’ll really be encouraged and motivated by the end of this episode. Stuff Mentioned My ebook The Swap is part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Flash Sale that’s happening October 16-17. ...
Oct 07, 2019•24 min
Sometimes asking for help is the hardest thing to do, but you’re allowed to ask for help, no matter the circumstance. It’s good, in fact, to ask for help. And today, we’re talking about the ways to do it – the different kinds of therapy and different reasons why or why not you might pursue them. Plus, I talk about how to be a good friend to someone else who needs help. It’s a heavy topic, but one that I want to join in the flow of normalizing it. Links You May Find Helpful If you’ve thought abou...
Sep 30, 2019•23 min
If you’ve ever purchased multiple planners in a year, this episode is for you. Today, we’re walking through three questions to ask when planning your week, and then we’ll use my own weekly plan for this week as a kind of case study to see how the questions are put into practice. It’s a simple approach but incredibly impactful. Helpful Companion Links If you want to tackle learning how to freeze food this fall, don’t miss out on The Naptime Kitchen Guide to Freezing. If nothing else, give @naptim...
Sep 23, 2019•25 min
