Book Review 
300 Tips for Making Life Easier

Sometimes, the smallest changes make the biggest difference. This little gem of a book—Multiple Sclerosis: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier by Shelley Peterman Schwarz—and let me tell you, it’s packed with insights that can make day-to-day life with MS more manageable.

Cir has lived with MS for more than 30 years, so he has naturally picked up plenty of tricks along the way—most learned through trial and error. But even with all that experience, this book still delivered some new revelations—those moments where you suddenly stop and think, Why didn’t we try that before?

For those who are newly diagnosed and trying to navigate this new reality, this book is a goldmine of practical advice. Sure, some tips might already feel familiar if you've been living with MS for a while, but there are always new strategies to discover. And even if just one tip makes your routine easier, isn’t that worth it?

Making MS Management Simpler

One of the most important takeaways from 300 Tips for Making Life Easier is that simplicity is key. Life with MS already presents enough challenges—why make things harder than they need to be? The goal of these tips is to help conserve your energy, streamline your routines, and ultimately help you feel less overwhelmed.

What You'll Find in 300 Tips for Making Life Easier

At the very beginning of her book, Shelley Schwarz lays out three golden rules that every person with MS should keep in mind:

1. Alternate periods of activity with periods of rest – Managing energy levels is crucial. Overexerting yourself one day can leave you feeling drained the next day or days afterward.
2. Plan ahead – A little preparation goes a long way in preventing unnecessary stress. Whether it's organizing your schedule, laying out clothes, or stocking up on essentials. Having a system in place can save time and effort.
3. Take advantage of labor-saving devices and technology – From mobility aids to smart-home gadgets, modern tools can make everyday tasks so much easier.

These tips might sound simple but putting them into practice is life changing.

Practical Advice for Pacing Yourself

Tip #1: Pace Yourself

To someone who has lived with MS for a long time, this might seem like an obvious suggestion. But if you're newly diagnosed, the idea of slowing down can feel frustrating—even impossible.

Maybe you used to be able to run errands all day, clean the house from top to bottom, and still have energy left for a social outing. With MS, that kind of all-or-nothing approach can backfire. Pacing yourself means spacing out your activities—instead of cramming everything into one exhausting day, take breaks in between and give yourself permission to rest.

For example, when you come back from grocery shopping, don’t immediately put everything away. Instead, store the perishables first, then sit down to recharge before organizing the rest. It's all about knowing your limits and not pushing past them.

Planning ahead makes a huge difference too. If Cir has a doctor’s appointment the next morning, he usually showers the night before. He gets everything ready for the day, such as laying out his clothes. He tries to keep things simple, so he doesn’t have to rush.

MS can be unpredictable, so if you find that you haven't allowed enough time for an appointment or task, reschedule rather than forcing yourself to push through exhaustion. Learning how much you can reasonably handle in one day will allow you to structure your schedule in a way that works for you—not against you.

Why This Book Is Worth Adding to Your Collection

Tip #2: Get the Book!

300 Tips for Making Life Easier is more than just a guide—it’s a lifeline for navigating life when you have MS. Schwarz’s advice covers so many aspects of daily living, including:

• Home life – Making household tasks more manageable with simple adjustments.
• Personal care – Practical ways to look and feel good without exhausting yourself.
• Meal management – How to streamline meal prep to conserve energy.
• Medical care – Tips for organizing medications, appointments, and advocating for yourself.
• Traveling with MS – Strategies for making trips smoother and less stressful.

The book’s second edition has been updated with even more useful recommendations, so that it reflects current technology and resources.

In addition to her book, Shelley Schwarz writes a column called "Making Life Easier", which appears in newspapers and magazines across the country. If you enjoy practical, actionable advice, you'll likely find her articles helpful as well.

Want to learn more about her? Check out this site, to learn a little about her life and diagnosis. (Link opens in a new window). She also has several other books and ebooks where she shares even more guidance on managing daily life with chronic illnesses, including Parkinson's and Arthritis. You can find them here. (Link opens a new window).

Final Thoughts:
Making MS More Manageable

Living with MS is an ongoing journey, one that presents new challenges at every stage. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, even small adjustments can make a big difference. 300 Tips for Making Life Easier is proof that sometimes, the simplest strategies are the most effective.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or looking for better ways to manage everyday tasks, this book offers practical wisdom that makes life easier—just as its title promises.

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling with fatigue, wondering how to simplify your routine, or needing a little extra guidance, this book might just be the helping hand you need.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get the book - 300 Tips for Making Life Easier! And when you do, let me know which tips stood out to you the most! (Link opens a new window).

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