Let AI take the mental load: Smarter solutions for daily juggling

I don’t know about you, but in my home there always seems to be a never-ending list of things to plan for or remember every day: from taking out the right rubbish bag, to remembering to send a euro for a school outing, slotting in homework between extracurriculars (which requires special time-carving skills), and planning meals. If only there were a way to alleviate this mental load.

But wait… there might be.

The other day, a friend mentioned how she plans her family dinners using ChatGPT – the generative artificial intelligence chatbot. This had never really crossed my mind. I mean, I have Googled ‘healthy easy family dinner recipes’ endless times – but I had not yet made the link between AI and cooking.

So, I wondered: what else could AI help with? I reached out to one of Malta’s experts in the field – Alexiei Dingli, a professor of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Malta – to ask for more ideas on how we can use this platform to make life easier. Here are some ideas on how this technology can help streamline tasks that often feel overwhelming.

Food help

Meal planning

Cook. Eat. Plan next meal. Repeat. That’s how it is for many parents. AI can help quickly create meal ideas based on what’s in the fridge and what your family likes eating. It will design custom meal plans together with the full grocery list you’ll need to make it all happen. Example prompts include:

"I have eggs, spinach, cheese, and tomatoes. What can I make for breakfast?"

"Can you plan five healthy dinners for the week for a family of four, with recipes that take under 30 minutes?"

"Help me create a grocery list based on these recipes: lasagna, stir-fried vegetables, and tacos."

Healthy eating

Also linked to meal prep, you can get guidance on balanced meals, find healthy snacks, and create a diet plan to support wellness. Sometimes, it’s the mental planning that is the main stumbling block. Example prompts include:

"What are some easy, high-protein snacks I can prepare in advance?"

"Help me plan a week of balanced meals that support my goal of weight maintenance."

"Suggest some lunch ideas that are quick, healthy, and good for work."

Housework support

Chore planning

The mental preparation behind daily juggling is draining. But you can get a bit of help with organising household chores, setting up daily routines, and managing shared tasks to keep the household running smoothly. Example prompts include:

"Create a weekly chore chart for my family with tasks like laundry, dishes, vacuuming, and taking out the rubbish."

"Suggest a morning routine for a busy parent, including breakfast, exercise, and time to get the kids ready."

"Help me set a cleaning routine for my small apartment that I can follow each week."

Decluttering

Sometimes the thought of starting a massive decluttering project is paralysing. A little nudge can help. You can get step-by-step decluttering guidance, create storage solutions, and establish an organisational system for the whole home. Example prompts include:

"What’s a simple, step-by-step process to declutter my kitchen cabinets?"

"Help me organise my wardrobe in a way that’s easy to maintain."

"Suggest minimalist storage ideas for a small bathroom with limited space."

Home maintenance

Many of us know how to change a plug – in theory. But ‘in theory’ does not feel safe enough. Learn basic home repair skills, troubleshoot minor issues, and set up maintenance routines for home care with the help of AI. Example prompts include:

"What’s the process to clean and maintain my washing machine?"

"Can you guide me on how to safely unclog a bathroom sink?"

"Suggest a seasonal home maintenance checklist to prepare for winter."

Money handling

Budgeting and saving

If the thought of numbers just makes your brain hurt – you can use AI to help you plan household budgets, find ways to save money, and track expenses with simple financial guidance. Example prompts include:

"Help me create a budget that includes rent, utilities, groceries, and a savings goal of €100 a month."

"Suggest ways to save on monthly grocery bills for a family of four."

"What’s a good budgeting plan for someone who wants to pay down debt and save for a holiday?"

Financial planning

Artificial intelligence is still intelligence – and it can help a lot when it comes to financial planning. Get help to set savings targets, plan for future expenses, and develop a financial plan to reach personal goals. Example prompts include:

"Help me create a savings plan to buy a new car in two years."

"What’s a realistic budget for someone aiming to pay off student debt and save for a holiday?"

"Suggest a simple monthly savings strategy for an emergency fund."

Leisure time

Book and film recommendations

Movie nights do not need to be preceded by a one-hour ‘what-shall-we-watch’ search. Discover books, films, and shows based on interests, goals, or new genres to expand cultural knowledge. Example prompts include:

"Can you recommend some inspiring self-help books on personal growth?"

"What are some classic films that would be good to watch as a family?"

"Suggest some novels similar to [Favourite Book Title]."

Party and event planning

You know the feeling – you are organising a dinner or party and you’re stuck for menu ideas, quantities, and all the little details. You can get help to organise gatherings from start to finish, including themes, menus, activities, and shopping lists. Example prompts include:

"I’m hosting a small dinner party; can you suggest a three-course menu that’s easy to prepare?"

"What are some fun activity ideas for a kids' birthday party at home?"

"How many food items would I need for a party of 12 children and 20 adults?"

Vacation planning

Get help to organise trip itineraries, pack efficiently, and get tips for stress-free travel planning. Example prompts include:

"Can you create a five-day itinerary for a family trip to New York City?"

"Help me make a packing list for a beach vacation with two small children."

"What are some must-see landmarks and activities for a weekend in Paris?"

Children

Craft ideas

Inspire creativity with step-by-step guidance for DIY crafts, home projects, or art activities for kids and adults. Example prompts include:

"What are some simple autumn craft projects I can do with my kids?"

"Can you guide me through making homemade soap as a gift?"

"What supplies do I need to start a beginner’s DIY project, like painting a coffee table?"

Homework help

Let’s face it – it’s been a while since we’ve been at school. I don’t know about you, but I’ve forgotten many things. Support children’s education with homework help, project ideas, and educational games for different age groups. Example prompts include:

"Can you explain basic fractions to a nine-year-old in a simple way?"

"Suggest some educational games or activities to help my child practice spelling."

"What are some fun science experiments we can do at home with common materials?"

Share your views

How do you use AI to make life easier?

Do you have something to share on the subject?

Is there a topic you feel passionate about and would like to talk about? If so you can comment below or send an email on hello@womanunclouded.com so we can discuss how to get your voice heard.