Simplify Your Life by Outsourcing These 3 Tasks

Written by: Cora Gold

Wherever you are in life, balancing work, home and social responsibilities is hard. There's also the time you need to practice self-care or just be alone. You might think you must do it all, but some tasks inevitably fall to the wayside.

Fortunately, you can hand some routine tasks over to professionals so you can better maintain your physical and mental health. If you can't find enough hours in the day, here are three responsibilities you can outsource to make life easier. 

1. Groceries 

You need groceries, but going to the store takes up a lot of time every week. Even with a list, it’s hard to ignore the temptation to purchase more things than you need. Prices are high, and shopping can get overwhelming. If you go with kids, the trip may be significantly longer as they beg for colorful and sugary items. 

Ordering groceries remotely has boomed over the past few years, and it is easy to see why. You can select your items via phone or computer virtually anywhere. Someone else will deliver them to your doorstep, saving you the hassle of a trip to the grocery store. 

It’s easy to forget things when you create your grocery list, which can lead to shortages and extra trips. When you order online, you can create your grocery list in real-time on your device so you don’t lose track of anything. 

If you don’t like the idea of someone bringing groceries to your house, you could choose curbside pickup. Grocers will gather your selected items and hold them in climate-controlled containers until you pull up. Then, they’ll put your groceries in your trunk so you don’t have to enter the store.

Curbside pickup can save time and ensure you leave with what you intended. The best part? Many grocery stores offer little to know curbside pickup fees. 

2. Cleaning  

The average American spends nearly 24 hours cleaning each month. That adds up to an entire day you could be spending on other things. 

We all need a clean home, but keeping your space tidy is hard work. Fortunately, many people work in the cleaning industry. When you hire a professional cleaning service, you often support local entrepreneurs while handing over a responsibility you’re tired of completing. 

Floors, windows, carpets, walls, and surfaces should get a regular once-over to prevent a build-up of dust and allergens that can cause or exaggerate respiratory illnesses. Viruses and bacteria from outside can also linger in your home, causing infections. 

Professional cleaners often get the job done better with the equipment and cleaners the average homeowner can’t afford to purchase constantly. For example, professional carpet cleanings can eliminate 97% of mold spores.

Deep cleanings can get expensive, with the average house cleaning costing more than $200 for products and services. However, having professionals come in once or twice a month can make a huge difference in your home's overall health and aesthetics. 

3. Childcare 

If you’re on social media, you likely see hundreds of posts about parents spending all their time going on fun trips and adventures with their little ones. However, that’s often only part of the story. 

The truth is that many tasks are often easier to get done without kids tagging along, such as shopping or when parents must work late. It doesn’t make you a bad parent to outsource your childcare now, and then so you can take care of things.

You want to be at your best for your kids. Taking some time away to engage in self-care is an important way to stay mentally and physically well. Don’t be afraid to ask family or friends who love your children to spend an evening without them. You could also hire a babysitter through a trusted website.

If you’re unsure which route to go, consider talking to other parents about what they do when they need to get away. Many communities have social media pages or parent support groups that allow parents to ask questions and get support. 

Parental burnout is a real thing, and planning out time to run errands, go to the spa or have a date night with your partner is important for everyone’s health and happiness.

Outsourcing Daily Tasks for a Better Life 

Life is stressful, and we’re living increasingly independent lives, often lacking support from family and community members. It’s no surprise we’re increasingly overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities. Remember that you can live a better life when you choose to outsource some tasks.