I can't rely on my husband to hold stuff.
That sounds like an un-captured waiting for list entry with appropriate date stamps.
In our house, we use a white board as a communication center - it is mostly stuff, so I process what's on the board and add a few words like buy a, or search for a, to entries on the board.
Everything that is on that communication board is represented in my system in some way after passing through an inbox.
GTD is the answer to all of the problems
I agree that GTD would be the answer to all of these problems for me. It isn't for my partner or my friends.
The key agreement I have with myself is that GTD will be the solution to these situations of angst for me to allow me to be relaxed & in the moment even when others cannot be. It helps me be there for them.
Most times when others confide in me about the struggles they are having, I am in the mindset "I have to figure out how to help them solve it."
One day, I figured out that they hadn't asked me to solve their problem, they just wanted an ear to commiserate. My suggested solutions were not an appropriate response to the interaction they wanted to have.
It took a lot of work for me to employ this lesson consistently.
Clayton
Unsolicited advice can be just as detrimental as a lack of courtesy. When you see someone without a smile, give them yours. Irony is not lost on me.