Getting In and Out of the House

6. How Does the Step or Threshold Feel?

There's often a little transition between inside and outside—a step, raised threshold, porch, garage floor, or change in surface.

You've probably crossed it thousands of times. But notice it the next few times.

Do you automatically slow down? Take an unusually large step? Look down every time? Grab something before stepping across? Those little habits may be telling you something.

Perhaps better lighting, a more visible edge, or another small change would make that spot easier to navigate.

7. What Happens When You Come Home With Groceries?

This is where ambition can get the better of us.

Six bags in the left hand. Four in the right. Milk tucked under one arm.

One trip. Victory. Except it doesn't have to be. 😄

Try carrying fewer bags at a time. Keep a lightweight cart nearby. Or have a convenient place just inside the door where you can set things down.

The groceries won't mind waiting another two minutes.

8. Is There a Good Place to Put Something Down?

Sometimes what we really need isn't another organizer or gadget. We need a place to put stuff.

When you come through the door carrying groceries, mail, a package, purse, or something from the car, is there a convenient surface nearby?

A small table, bench, shelf, or sturdy counter can give you a place to unload before taking care of everything else.

Try creating a little landing spot and see whether you use it.

9. What Changes When the Weather Changes?

An entrance that works beautifully on a sunny summer afternoon can be a completely different experience during rain, snow, or ice.

Notice what happens when the weather isn't cooperating. Where does the snow collect? Is there somewhere convenient for wet boots? Can you see the steps after dark? Where do you put an umbrella? Is the outdoor light bright enough to find the keyhole? You don't need to prepare for every possibility.

Just notice what becomes inconvenient when the weather changes and see whether there's a simple way to make it easier.

10. What's the Most Awkward Part of Leaving—or Coming Home?

Think about the whole routine. Putting on your shoes. Finding your keys. Opening the door. Walking down the steps. Getting into the car. Bringing in groceries. Which little part takes more effort than it seems like it should?

That's the one to experiment with.

Ask yourself: "Is there an easier way I could do this?"

Try one small change for a week or two. If it makes coming and going easier, keep it. If it doesn't, change it back.

Sometimes the easiest way to make getting out of the house better isn't changing where you're going. It's changing one little thing about how you get there.

Leaving the house seems pretty simple. Put on your shoes and coat, grab your keys, walk out the door, and you're on your way.

But when you stop and think about it, there's actually quite a bit going on.

Maybe you're carrying a purse, groceries, packages, or something for the car. You're putting on shoes, opening doors, stepping over a threshold, locking up, and sometimes doing all of it while dealing with rain, snow, ice, or a Minnesota wind that has plans of its own.

Most of the time, we don't give any of this much thought. We simply develop our own little ways of doing things.

So for the next few days, pay attention whenever you leave your house—and when you come back home.

Is there a moment when your hands are always full? Something you have to reach for? A door that's awkward to open while carrying something? A pair of shoes that's harder to put on than you'd like? A spot where you automatically slow down or grab onto something?

Don't think of these as problems. Think of them as little clues.

Could you put something down before opening the door? Keep your keys in a more convenient place? Sit down while putting on your shoes? Make two trips with the groceries instead of carrying everything at once?

Try one little change and see how it feels. If leaving the house or coming home becomes a little easier, keep doing it. If it doesn't, change it back.

Getting out and enjoying your day shouldn't take more effort than it needs to.

10 Little Things to Notice When Coming and Going
The next few times you leave your house or come back home, slow down just enough to notice what you normally do without thinking.

Where do you put things? What do you carry? What do you reach for? Is there a spot where you always pause, grab onto something, or do a little juggling act?

You don't need to change anything yet. Just notice.

You may discover that one small change could make coming and going quite a bit easier.

1. What Happens When You Put On Your Shoes?

Pay attention the next time you get ready to leave.

Do you stand while putting on your shoes? Lean against a wall? Hold onto a table? Sit somewhere and then walk across the room to get them?

What would happen if you had a comfortable place to sit with your shoes right there? Try it for a week. You may decide that's simply a nicer way to get ready.

2. Where Are Your Keys?

Do you know exactly where your keys are when it's time to leave—or does every departure begin with a small treasure hunt?

Try giving them one convenient home near the door you normally use. A hook, bowl, basket, or little table is enough.

The best place isn't necessarily where keys are "supposed" to go. It's wherever they're easiest for you to find.

3. Are Your Hands Full Before You Even Open the Door?

Keys. Purse. Coffee. Mail. Package. Maybe something you're taking to the car. Suddenly opening a door becomes a small engineering project.

Notice what you're carrying when you leave. Could you put something down near the door, open it first, and then pick the item back up? Could you make another trip?

You don't get extra points for carrying everything at once.

4. What Do You Automatically Grab Onto?

This is another one of those little workarounds worth noticing.

When stepping through the doorway, putting on boots, going down a step, or closing the door behind you, do you automatically reach for the wall, doorframe, doorknob, or something nearby?

Don't worry about changing it right away. First ask: "Why do I grab that?"

Maybe you'd simply be more comfortable with something sturdier or more conveniently placed there.

5. Is the Door Doing You Any Favors?

Some doors seem determined to make life difficult.

Maybe yours closes before you're through it. Perhaps the storm door is heavy, the handle is awkward when your hands are full, or you have to pull the door toward you while stepping backward.

The next time you go through it, pay attention. Is the doorway easy to use—or have you just gotten very good at working around it?

Sometimes adjusting a door closer, changing a handle, or making another small adjustment can make a surprising difference.