6.5.23 22

30 Things You Can Do In 30 Minutes (Or Less)

Does anyone else feel like in the summer with the insane heat your productivity goes way down? When I feel like I am not being productive I like to do a few small things that I need to tackle that don’t take a ton of time. There are 30 things you can do in 30 minutes or less on this list and all of them will make you feel a bit more accomplished!

30 Things You Can Do In 30 Minutes (Or Less)

  1. Fold laundry and put it away
  2. Read a few chapters of a book
  3. Do a spot clean of your house and put things away out of place
  4. Do a face mask
  5. Do a workout
  6. Go walk for 30 minutes
  7. Clean out and organize your dresser drawers (a few of them)
  8. Go through your kids’ closet  and pull out clothes they don’t wear
  9. Clean out your fridge/pantry
  10. Run a quick errand like getting gas, or the post office
  11. Vacuum out your car
  12. Take a 30-minute nap
  13. Deep condition your hair
  14. Paint your nails or toenails
  15. Go through your mail
  16. Organize your junk drawer
  17. Meditate
  18. Journal
  19. FaceTime a friend
  20. Make a delish salad or smoothie
  21. Go through emails
  22. Pay bills
  23. Work on a puzzle
  24. Check-in on the news
  25. Clean behind your appliances
  26. Vacuum your house
  27. Meal plan for the week
  28. Make a to-do list for the week
  29. Clean out your purse
  30. Write snail mail to send to a friend

What is something you would add to this list?

This post was written in 2020 and has been updated for 2023. 

Leave a Comment

22 Comments

  1. I just moved out this week so thanks for this list – it will make adapting to the changes much easier! Thanks for sharing! ❤️✨

    Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
    http://charmainenyw.com

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  2. Stephanie wrote:

    I also love to get a lot of little things done at once. I make myself lists like this all the time to make sure I remember everything, and also to feel good about all the small things I can get done.

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  3. Kate wrote:

    These are great suggestions – I need to work some of these 30 minute jobs into my day tomorrow I think!

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  4. Kileen wrote:

    These are all great things that I never really put any mind to or noticed that they do take 3o minutes or less! These feel like they would take way longer but you’re right, there quick and simple!

    Kileen
    cute & little

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  5. I love this list! I used to be way more of a procrastinator then I am now. I justified putting things off because I would convince myself that they were going to take too long. For one month I timed myself doing tons of tasks so I could get a sense of how long things ACTUALLY take. Now I put things off way less! Having a list of tasks that take less than 30 minutes is a great way to encourage yourself to actually do them. 🙂

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  6. Kaelen wrote:

    My problem is getting distracted in the middle of my tasks, but it’s true – so many things are pretty quick if you just focus.

    xoKaelen | Darling Marcelle

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  7. oh well, there is a lot that can be done in 30 min or less, yes! Everything else is just lame excuses. Thank you for the great reminder.

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  8. Amanda wrote:

    It’s funny– all those small tasks we don’t want to do (ie clean out the fridge or junk drawer) really don’t even have to take up so much time. This list is so helpful to get more done by breaking it down into 30-minute increments and I will definitely be referring to this. Thanks for sharing!

    Published 8.27.20
    Reply
  9. Stephanie wrote:

    I am terrible about giving myself time to just enjoy things like this. But when I can, I usually read, meditate, or scroll through my phone – for fun, not for work! 🙂

    Published 8.28.20
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  10. This is a great list! I always try to pick a few quick things to do once my daughter goes to bed so I still have Netflix time!

    Published 8.28.20
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  11. This helps a lot! Might also fill my time do such things except the “30 minutes of a nap” cuz I might need more

    Published 8.28.20
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  12. MissMillMag wrote:

    Very useful ideas for working women. I love this list!
    Thanks for sharing such an amazing article, really informative.

    Published 8.31.20
    Reply
  13. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read . I learn new information from your article , you are doing a great job. Keep it up

    Published 9.2.20
    Reply
  14. MaryBeth wrote:

    Good afternoon Neely,
    I am a perpetual list maker & tend to over schedule my day. I’m also alot ADHD & OCD! & tend to procrastinate! About this time EVERYDAY I look at my list & get overwhelmed! SO I made 3 lists: what can be done in 5min., 15min., & 30min. Trying to check off as much as I can & telling myself I only have to work on BIG projects 30min at a time. 🙂

    Published 1.18.21
    Reply
  15. Alex Bosia wrote:

    Great! It is mostly…. cleaning. But thanks you’ve showed me a few others, and helped me! I found out something I can do today, for at least 30 minutes. Thanks!

    Published 5.3.22
    Reply
  16. hoppycrossing on insta wrote:

    really good list!

    Published 2.5.23
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  17. Robin wrote:

    Small tasks make big change possible! Thank you for sharing your list.

    Published 6.5.23
    Reply
  18. Ayah wrote:

    Great list! Deep-conditioning my hair is something I would do if I only had 30 mins 🙂 Going through emails is also so me! Thanks for sharing!

    Published 6.5.23
    Reply
  19. Great list and perfect reminder to go clean out my fridge! Haha

    Published 6.5.23
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  20. Christina wrote:

    Great tips, will have to try these for the summer.

    Published 6.5.23
    Reply
  21. Cynthia wrote:

    This was a great quick read! I often struggle with floundering and not being able to focus on what to do. Having a list is helpful!

    Published 6.5.23
    Reply