I’m not joining the church of microefficiencies (yet)

There’s something oddly exhausting about trying to be efficient. Whether it’s brushing your teeth in the shower, boiling water at 6am for a flask, or laying out a breakfast spoon the night before – it seems that the cult of the microefficiency rules modern life. Tiny time-savers designed to claw back small chunks of time, all in the name of productivity. But I wonder: are these clever hacks, or simply another symptom of a society that is burning out?

Personally, I don’t operate on microefficiencies. In fact, I may be their nemesis. I am not a highly optimised morning person with an outfit laid out and breakfast ready to go. I don’t do weekly plans – they just fail. I operate more in the here and now with the occasional list of jobs pinned up on my door, which will be completed over the coming months – if they prove to be necessary. I like to think there is a charm to my chaos, an ability to get everything done eventually on time and up to standard, but maybe not in the most streamlined way.

The rise of microefficiencies feels like a response to a world constantly shouting, “do more, do it faster, do it better!” at us

Sure, I will lie in bed longer than I should. Yes, I will pretend the ten-minute walk to the shop is a good enough daily outing and sufficient exercise. But I still manage to meet deadlines, show up on time, and do what I must. I do it my way, sometimes under a mild wave of self-inflicted stress, but with the fortune of someone still young enough to get away with it. I guess time doesn’t feel like it’s slipping away from me.

The rise of microefficiencies feels like a response to a world constantly shouting, “do more, do it faster, do it better!” at us. In some ways, I do get it. If popping your trainers on without tying laces means you make it to your 9am on time, then great. If pre-making your breakfast saves your flustered self-stress and time in the morning, I fully support this version of you. Microefficiencies that make your day smoother without ruining it – go wild.

I think there is a fine line between clever and compulsive. When the quest to shave off seconds erodes joy and spontaneity, it becomes less about saving time and more about feeding the monster of productivity, which forces itself into our lives. If you’re spending more energy trying to outsmart your routine than actually living your life, maybe it’s time to pause.

We’re told that to be valuable, we must be useful. But sometimes, being human — gloriously disorganised and inefficient — proves helpful in itself

As someone who has struggled to feel fulfilled and productive without being constantly busy and on the verge of burnout, I have come to find relaxation in the fact that not every waking moment needs to be maximised. Some days lying horizontally and doing nothing is just as fulfilling as finishing every job and stretching yourself thin. We’re told that to be valuable, we must be useful. But sometimes, being human — gloriously disorganised and inefficient — proves helpful in itself. Rest, joy, presence, and general loafing can be productive too, but just in a different way.

Maybe I will adopt a more efficient routine one day. But I will wait until I have a 9 to 5 and some insurance thing to manage before I slip into my microefficiencies era. But for now, the thrill of the scatterbrain and last-minute lifestyle are things I want to enjoy. Yes, forgetting things is inconvenient; unnecessary pressure can be annoying. Eating some strange creation from the back of the fridge because I didn’t want to go to the shop might not be the most nutritious choice (it’s messy), but it isn’t something I will have the luxury of doing forever.

Microefficiencies can be helpful, but only when they are chosen with intent. If they start to feel like a burden rather than a boost, more tiny tyrants than self-created remedies, it’s time to ask: what are we really saving time for?

Because if it isn’t living, then what’s the point?