How Design Thinking Can Be Applied in Everyday Life 👀

I was in my second year when I first learned about design thinking. I thought it was only for UX designers or product teams building sleek apps. But the more I explored it, the more I realized — design thinking is not just a method. It’s a mindset. One that can actually make our daily lives smoother, more thoughtful, and even more empathetic.

💡 What is Design Thinking?

At its core, design thinking is a human-centered approach to solving problems. It’s not about rushing into solutions. Instead, it starts with understanding — who’s facing the problem, what they feel, and what they truly need. Design thinking usually follows five steps:

• Empathize - Understand the user’s needs or emotions
• Define – Clearly identify the core problem
• Ideate – Brainstorm creative solutions
• Prototype – Build quick, small-scale versions of ideas
• Test – Try, learn, and improve

🖥️ Design Thinking in Software Development

In tech projects, design thinking helps teams move beyond just “what we want to build” and focus on “what people actually need.” For example, when developing an app, you start by listening to users, understanding their pain points, and then building around those insights — not assumptions.

I’ve used this process in my own projects, like when I worked on mekarmaju.id. It started with lots of research and listening to stakeholders. Every decision came from empathy first.

🧠 What About in Daily Life?

Now here’s the fun part — design thinking isn’t just for building products. It’s useful in everyday decision-making too. How to apply design thinking in daily life:

1. Feeling overwhelmed with tasks? Empathize with yourself — what do you really need right now? Maybe it’s a break, or maybe it’s prioritizing one task at a time.
2. Resolving a miscommunication with a friend? Try reframing the problem from their perspective.
3. Stuck on a creative project? Ideate without judgment — write down every idea, no matter how wild. You can refine later.
4. Redecorating your room? Prototype by rearranging furniture or trying out new layouts before committing to anything permanent.
5. Planning a family event? Test your ideas by running them past a few family members first to see what resonates.
6. Want to improve your morning routine? Observe what works and what doesn’t, then define the problem (e.g., “I always feel rushed in the mornings”) and brainstorm solutions (like prepping the night before).

🌱 It’s a Mindset, Not Just a Method

Design thinking is more than just a process — it’s a mindset that encourages empathy, curiosity, and adaptability. It’s about asking better questions rather than jumping to conclusions. It’s not about being perfect — it’s about staying curious, adaptable, and thoughtful.

So next time you’re stuck or facing something messy, try thinking like a designer. You might find clarity not by jumping to answers, but by asking better questions. Like a designer navigating with a compass, not a map.

What’s something you’ve designed — intentionally or not — in your everyday life?

Cheers! 👋🏻