Let’s just put it out there: life is far too complex to have all the answers. But the good news is that there seem to be plenty of people who learn from their slip-ups, embrace them, and decide to pass their precious wisdom to everyone online.
And TikToker Sidneyraz is one of them. With 2.7M followers and counting, he continues to share some very relatable yet easy and sometimes even hilarious hacks for our daily routines. With his series of viral videos, Sidneyraz tells his fans “things I didn’t know before I was in my 30s” and presents them in funny home situations.
Since he’s been busy creating new clips, We has put together a new compilation of tips and tricks to help you better navigate everyday life. So check them out right below and tell us what you think in the comments! After you’re done taking notes, take a peek at Parts 1 and 2 of this post right here and here.
#1 This Hole Is For Cutting This Spout
It even says “spout cutter”, put it in, snip easy and great
#2 You’re Supposed To Microwave Things On The Outside Of The Microwave Tray
#3 The Reason Why Jackets Have Shoulder Straps
They were originally designed to keep backpacks ammunition pouches or bayonets from slipping off your shoulder.
As smart as we think we are, we all have gaps in our knowledge. We might spend our whole lives believing we know how to properly operate the microwave or the right way to wear our running shoes. Then, when someone points out that the complete opposite of what we thought is true, we can’t help but scratch our heads in confusion.
Sidneyraz is on a mission to show us we’re not the only ones by sharing super simple and obvious know-how life tips. The creator told We in a previous interview that he decided to start this series after people positively reacted to his video “Here’s something you should know about being in your 30s. It’s better than your 20s.”
“My most popular videos are ones that have to do with the most common items that people use. Travel pillows, English muffins, trash bags, plungers, and so on,” Sidneyraz explained. “We all use the same things every day and [without questioning them] because that’s how we were taught, but we have no idea why or if it’s even right. So when I post a video showing a different way, it blows minds.”
#4 You’re Supposed To Shake Out The Popcorn Kernels That Haven’t Popped Through This Little Opening
#5 You Can Use Tin Foil To Get The Static Out Of Your Hair
#6 The Blow Dryer Has A Filter You’re Supposed To Clean
The TikToker also revealed there’s more to this life phase than just figuring out simple life hacks. “We tend to experience both heartbreak and true joy before our 30s too. There are large ups and downs but, hopefully, they help us to be more empathetic people. They’re hard lessons but needed.”
“I’m learning all these things too and I don’t want anyone to feel as alone as I have in the past when I didn’t know something [older folks understood quite well],” Sidneyraz added.
#7 You’re Supposed To Apply Deodorant At Night
The complete opposite of what all of us thought.
#8 Faucets Have Filters That You’re Supposed To Replace And Clean
They’re called aerators. It’s recommended that you replace the aerators annually.
#9 You Can Pick Up Hard Boiled Eggs With A Whisk
We previously spoke with Joshua Klapow, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and creator of MentalDrive, about why so many of us realize obvious things only later in life. He explained people often take everyday things for granted “only to pay more attention to those actions and interactions that grab our attention. The obvious goes in the background, so we reserve brain bandwidth to notice the novel, standout occurrences in our life.”
As we grow older, there are fewer things that look different to us. “We call that maturity and growth and development,” the clinical psychologist said. Then, we can look at the seemingly common in a more careful, more detailed way. “And when we do, we often discover that that obvious has so much more to it that we missed earlier on.”
#10 How You’re Actually Supposed To Wear Running Shoes
This little hole is called a “heel lock” and you’re supposed to use it. Same side lace goes through the hole, the opposite side lace goes through that loop and heel gets locked.
#11 How To Control A Pour From Any Container That Has One Of These
Take it out, put it back in upside down, and pour.
#12 How To Read Interstate Exit Signs
Specifically the importance of the position of this little guy. What is the significance of the position of the exit number sign on the top of the exit sign? It’s an indication of whether the exit location is to the right, left, or straight.
When certain things are visible to us in plain sight and we somehow fail to notice them, it’s easy to feel ashamed. Klapow explained we feel this way because the obvious is often simple and clear to everyone else.
He mentioned we feel embarrassed for several reasons. The first would be that we simply missed what others saw. Then, “we may have made mistakes, hurt others, missed out on opportunities because we didn’t see the obvious. Lastly, we have to acknowledge to others and ourselves that despite how we think of ourselves or how we are seen by others, we have missed something.”
#13 How You’re Actually Supposed To Light A Candle With More Than One Wick
You do not light them one by one. You light one and then use that to light the others.
#14 How To Tie A Robe
You don’t put the rope in the back, take it out, put it in the front, and then tie. It’s nice and tighter.
#15 One Horse Does Not Equal One Horsepower, It Equals 15
More precisely 14.9, and actually no one knows how precise that number is. Because James Watt just lied for marketing.
The clinical psychologist said we should turn the internal dialog around and tell ourselves: “I now see things differently, more clearly, and that is going to help me from this day moving forward.” Then, embarrassment “can transition into gratitude and excitement for arriving at the discovery of the obvious.”
“We are growing, learning, adapting organisms. What is foreign at one point in time can become obvious later as we learn and develop. At any point in our life, we have a chance to look at what we see every day and look at it differently. We never know what we may discover if we are courageous enough to consider the obvious when the world around us is telling us it is sitting right in front of us,” Klapow concluded.
#16 The Easiest Way To Open Up This Annoying Seal
With that little piece of plastic, take the cap and push it down. Just use the cap.
#17 How You’re Actually Supposed To Dry Shoes In The Dryer
Go to the dryer, tie the shoes together, open the dryer, put the shoes in, turn on the dryer.
#18 Zippers Have A Lock
The lock automatically locks when no force is placed on the tab-pull. Let’s test this out. Tab pulled down – locked. Tab pulled slightly up – unlocked.
#19 The Scooter Handles Are Finger Guards
This is how everyone rode the scooters (left) and we were all wrong. This is how you’re supposed to ride the scooters (right).
#20 There’s A Lock For The Mustard Cap
#21 The Best Way To Reheat Pizza
The two ways that I know of are in the microwave or in the oven. The third one: put the pizza in a pan, pour water, and cover it with foil. Tastes like a fresh pizza.
#22 The Sun Is Not On Fire
The sun does not burn like we think of logs in a fire or paper burning. There’s no oxygen in space fire needs oxygen.
#23 How You’re Actually Supposed To Use An Air Freshener
Your tree can last up to seven weeks if you follow these steps. Each week expose more or less of tree. There’s even a diagram for us.
#24 There’s A Way To Clean In Between The Glass On The Oven. Apparently It’s At The Bottom
#25 You Don’t Need To Shake The Seasoning Shaker, Just Hold It And Twist It
#26 How To Open A Bottle Of Wine
Go get a corkscrew or a wine key. Using the serrated edge or the corkscrew, twist the bottle around and remove that foil. Let the bottle do the work for you, push down and twist. Create leverage and enjoy. Responsibly.
#27 You Can Just Pull Out A Double Knot
#28 How To Open Mail
We all think open like this (left). And then there’s a much simpler way. Take the loose part of the seal, tear it up and twist it off.
#29 How You’re Actually Supposed To Put Lights On The Christmas Tree
You do not wrap around, you go up and down.
#30 You Can Tell How Many Ounces Are In A Mug By How Many Fingers You Can Fit In The Handle
Two fingers – eight ounces, three fingers – 10 ounces, four fingers – 12 ounces.