11 Surprisingly Simple Things Reddit Swears Changed Their Lives Forever

There’s a special kind of joy in finding an item that makes life easier, quieter, or just more put-together. You know, the kind of thing that’s not flashy enough for a TikTok haul, but once you own it, you wonder how you ever lived without it. here’s 11 surprisingly simple things from Reddit that could change your life forever!

So when one Redditor threw out the question:

“What item increased your productivity or quality of life so much that you wish you could gatekeep it—but won’t?”

…a wave of passionate life-hackers, home improvers, and lowkey philosophers flooded the thread. These weren’t luxury gadgets or trendy Amazon finds—they were the quiet heroes of daily life. And yeah, some of them are laughably simple.

Let’s take a stroll through the most beloved, upvoted, and oddly emotional responses Reddit had to offer.

1. The Humble E-Reader That Outsmarted Social Media

One user started strong with an old-school life-changer: a cheap e-book reader. Not even a fancy new Kindle, just one that holds a charge and displays text.

“Even a 15-year-old Kindle is fine. E-ink tech hasn’t changed much, and all your favorite classics are free on Project Gutenberg.”

It’s not about the hardware, they argued—it’s about reclaiming time and brain cells from doomscrolling. And the cherry on top?

Free library books delivered wirelessly to your Kindle.
As one reply put it:

“So much available from your local library—you’ll never run out of stuff to read, even if you try.”

2. A Key Bowl. Yes, Really.

Next up: an item that sounds like a joke until you lose your keys for the 47th time—a bowl. For your keys. That’s it.

“If there’s no designated spot for keys, it’s impressive how many ‘why is this in the freezer?’ moments you’ll have.”

It got better. Another user upped the ante with key hangers:

“If you live with other people and a tray turns into a junk swamp, hangers are the way to go. You can see if your keys made it home.”

But the real gem? A chaotic-good husband with a wife who has OCD:

“She organizes everything. Lists. Tools. I describe what something looks like, she tells me where it is. Months later. She must clean and finish tasks before bed—unless it’s time to binge baking shows. I love her.”

This thread could’ve spun off into its own rom-com.

3. Sawhorses, Vintage Silverware, and the Holy Grail of Stud Finders

One user bought a house and accidentally became Reddit’s poster child for adulting.

Game-changers included:

• Bora Workhorse Sawhorses — $80 and apparently make you “want” to do DIY stuff. (Magic?)

• Vintage stainless steel silverware — classy, durable, and somehow better than the modern stuff.

• A high-end stud finder — the kind that makes you judge your brother for going budget mode.

“I didn’t know how bad his was until I used mine. Same brand, completely different tier. Worth every penny.”

Oh, and don’t forget:

• A stainless steel cat water fountain that doesn’t get slimy and actually reminds you to refill it by getting louder. ADHD-friendly and pet-approved.

The real MVP? His dad’s 20-year-old Craftsman tools, passed down with love… and a slight smell issue.

“The handles smell horrific. But they still work. Grandpa would be proud.”

4. Custom-Molded Earplugs: The Silent Savior

This one had aura of mystery. A Redditor casually dropped the bomb:

“Custom earplugs. Got them from an audiologist. Not that expensive.”

Cue every musician and noise-sensitive human perking up.

Replies ranged from “Wait, aren’t those insanely expensive?!” to someone straight-up confessing they’d thought custom-molding was only for rock stars with in-ear monitors.

This little tip kicked off a sub-thread about sensory sanity, kitchen joy (shoutout to citrus squeezers), and how the right kind of silence is truly golden.

5. The Cult of the Rice Cooker

Ah, the rice cooker. Humble. Underappreciated. Life-changing.

“I used to be the ‘I can just boil it’ guy. Then my sister left her rice cooker behind. Three uses later? I bought a bigger one. Never looked back.”

The fandom is real. Reddit’s verdict:
Once you go rice cooker, you never go back.

The Real Takeaway?

You don’t need to Marie Kondo your life or go full minimalist to find peace and productivity. Sometimes, it’s just about choosing tools that quietly show up for you every single day—and maybe bring a little unexpected joy.

And isn’t that the real BIFL spirit?

Top Voted Comments (If Reddit Wrote Headlines)

• “I got my keys out of the fridge and into a tray, my anxiety dropped 20%”

• “My stud finder made me judge my brother. I regret nothing.”

• “My cats have better hydration habits than I do.”

• “Old tools smell weird but feel like home.”

Share This With the Friend Who Still Boils Rice in a Pot

Or the one who loses their keys daily. Or maybe the one binge-watching baking shows with an OCD spouse. Because honestly, these aren’t just recommendations—they’re life hacks in disguise.

Got your own “this changed my life” item? Drop it in the comments—we’ll add it to the sacred list.

And remember: gatekeeping is out, sharing the wisdom is in.

Source: Reddit

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