Maybe ELM Can Help With This: 9 Ways I Use It in My Day-to-Day Life
As someone who started experimenting with LLMs early, back when they were much simpler than what we have now, I’ve always been fascinated by what they can do. Over time, my curiosity turned into a habit of trying out small, practical tasks just to see how well an LLM could handle them.
This blog is a relaxed collection of those moments when I found myself thinking, “Maybe ELM can help with this?” and it actually did! Eventually, I began using ELM in my everyday routine in simple, natural ways. Here are a few examples that might give you ideas for how you can bring ELM into your own day-to-day life.
Photography Feedback Without Needing a Photography Expert
I love photography, especially during winters when everything is covered in snow. But I’ve always been a little conscious about sharing my photos. I’m never fully sure whether a shot works or if something feels off. So I often upload a photo to ELM and ask for suggestions on composition, lighting, or framing.
The feedback has helped me understand my style and what I naturally gravitate towards. It has also made me more confident about putting my work out there, even if I know I’m still learning. I now try to post regularly on my practice Instagram account, nocturnalnothings, and it feels nice to see my progress as I experiment with new ideas.
Kitchen Experiments (Especially on Low-Energy Days)
I often struggle to decide what to cook, how to get enough protein and fibre, or how to keep meals interesting on a budget. I get bored of the same food very quickly, so having fresh ideas really helps. ELM has been surprisingly useful for this. We’ve all had those evenings where the fridge has three random ingredients and absolutely no inspiration. On days like that, I list what I have and ask for suggestions.
Sometimes I also use it to turn a recipe into a vegetarian or vegan-friendly version or to make it more budget-friendly. It’s a simple way to avoid unnecessary spending, reduce waste, and eat something a little more exciting than whatever I would’ve defaulted to.
DIY Without the Panic
When something at home breaks, whether it’s a bulb, a screw, or some fitting I can’t name, I either describe it or upload a picture and ask ELM what it might be. Once I have an idea of what I’m dealing with, I ask for safe steps to fix or replace it. It has turned a lot of “oh no” moments into “okay, I can sort this.”
I still double-check that the bulb or screw I’ve bought is the right one, but ELM saves me so much time. Instead of scouring the internet trying to guess what something is, I get a quick explanation to point me in the right direction.
Buying Things on a Budget (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Seeing influencers showcase new products on Instagram can be tempting, especially when everything looks useful or aesthetically pleasing. But I like to take a step back and think about whether something will genuinely help me, how I would use it, and whether it actually fits my life. With bigger purchases in particular, I’m always a bit nervous about spending money, even when I know a product might make things easier.
When I’m deciding between two options or trying to understand if something is really worth it, I tell ELM what I’m looking for and what matters to me. It gives me a clear breakdown of what to consider, which helps me make a more thoughtful decision instead of an impulsive one.
Planning My Week Without the Stress
As someone who always has multiple projects on the go, both at work and at home, my to-do lists can feel overwhelming and planning sometimes feels impossible. This is where I use ELM. I simply give it some basic information, like the tasks I need to get done that week and my fixed commitments such as working hours, events, or social plans. Then I ask it to turn all of that into an actionable plan.
The goal is simple: I don’t want to be doing more than one chore on a workday, and I don’t want to spend my entire weekend buried under laundry. ELM helps me space things out realistically, so the week feels manageable rather than chaotic.
Learning New Tools in a Focused Way
I love learning new tools and trying new hobbies. Whether it’s using Photoshop to edit my photos or diving into 3D printing and design—which has quickly become my new obsession. After moving into my new home, I even started thinking that instead of buying décor pieces, I could design and build my own.
When I wanted to create something in Blender, I uploaded my sketch and asked for step-by-step instructions. Instead of getting lost in long tutorials, I got guidance tailored exactly to what I was trying to make. It made the whole process feel simple and gave me the confidence to explore more creative projects.
Checking In on My Finances Every Few Months
Managing finances can be tricky, and I know I have a tendency to overspend on impulse purchases, especially when something cute from a craft store catches my attention. It adds up quickly without me realising it.
To stay a little more aware of my habits, I check in with ELM every few months and treat it like a small financial coach. I enter my income and expenses and ask simple questions such as:
- Where does my money actually go?
- Where am I overspending?
- Are there any categories I should adjust?
For me, this process is not about strict budgeting. It is about understanding my patterns and seeing where small changes could help. Over time, those insights have made a big difference. I even set a fixed budget for craft supplies now, which keeps things in balance while still letting me enjoy the things I love.
Designing and Coding My Website
I had been thinking about creating a personal website for a long time, but designing it, writing the content, and programming everything always felt like a lot. When I finally decided to build www.pragyamodi.com, I used ELM to explore layout ideas, refine drafts, and get small bits of coding guidance whenever I got stuck. It felt more like having someone to bounce ideas off than doing it all alone.
Now that the main site is up, the next step is adding a blog section, and I’m excited to experiment with that as well.
Sharpening My Professional Writing
After finishing my degree, I spent much of the summer applying for roles and trying to improve my online presence, and ELM became a really helpful companion during that process. I often ask it for ideas for LinkedIn posts based on what I am reading or working on, or I use it to get feedback on my CV and understand how my experiences align with a job description.
This naturally connects with some of the work I am doing with the Careers Service, where we are developing a training session on how students can use ELM to strengthen their job applications and overall job-hunting process. If you are interested in sessions like this, remember to sign up for the Digital Skills Newsletter to stay updated on new trainings.
Final Thoughts
LLMs have changed so much since the early versions I first tried, and their usefulness has grown in unexpected ways. If you’re just getting started, try using ELM for one small thing like planning your week, drafting an email, or asking for feedback on something you’re working on. You might be surprised by how many creative ways it can fit into your routine.
