Life, especially these days, can feel incredibly overwhelming. We’re constantly surrounded by clutter, both online and in our homes, and our days are filled with to-dos and other obligations. It feels like from the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep, we are always doing something. Learning how to simplify your life can help you reorganize to put more time and energy into the things that are truly important to you.
Declutter
Clutter in your home and in your life is both created and caused by stress. When you are surrounded by clutter, it can lead to discomfort, a lack of focus, and mental and emotional distress. Taking the time to get rid of unnecessary clutter in your home will go a long way in simplifying your life and getting rid of things that overwhelm you – whether you know it or not. Tackling clutter in and of itself can be an overwhelming experience. To avoid this, try the 30 bags in 30 days method of decluttering.
Prioritize
The best step in learning how to simplify your life is understanding what your main priorities are. Take the time to write down a list of the most important things in your life. These are things that you want to take top priority over everything else. It could be your family, travel, mental wellness, financial wellness, etc. Essentially, whatever you value the most, you want to put on that list. Knowing what is truly important to you is a great first step toward putting more time and energy into what matters most.
Reduce Consumption
When we buy things, they make us happy at that moment. Typically, though, after the initial happiness of your purchase wears off, you just have another thing causing clutter in your home. Now that you have identified your top priorities, you know what to spend your time and money on. Commit to buying fewer things that you don’t truly need. Instead, save your money for high-quality items that will last. Reduce the consumption of your time as well. Delete apps and social media that take up valuable time that could be spent on your priorities.
Learn from Minimalism
Living a minimalist lifestyle isn’t for anyone, but there are things you can learn from those who live minimally. Minimalism is built around eliminating excess in our lives to make time and space for the things that are truly important – similar concepts to the tips listed above. By cutting out clutter and noise in your life, you can focus on your happiness and fulfillment.
Live Within Your Means
The happiest people don’t have the best of everything, they make the best of everything. While the idea of owning all the newest, best things is great, the debt and financial hardships that come with it are not. It may be difficult making the adjustment at first, but living within your means will teach you to appreciate what you have and work hard for what you don’t.
Cancel Subscriptions
Simplifying your life can and should include your digital space as well. Receiving notifications of emails all day long that are not relevant clutter your phone and inbox. Trying to sift through junk mail to get to important emails takes up unnecessary time. Spend a few minutes going through your email and unsubscribing to newsletters and promotional emails. Then, go and deactivate old, unused accounts you no longer use. This will reduce notification clutter and inbox clutter. Do this every few months as you notice your inbox getting cluttered again.
Create Routines
Start by recognizing negative routines that you have throughout the week and work to eliminate them. Then, create positive routines that will simplify your life and make things a little easier. For example, start a routine of making your bed in the morning. Or, begin a routine of spending 15 minutes before bed tidying up your home. For mental well-being, try a routine of walking for 10 minutes at lunch or starting the day with a quick meditation. After doing these routines for a few weeks, it will become a habit that comes naturally. Small things like this will go a long way in simplifying your life long-term.
Cut Multi-Tasking
Don’t try to accomplish multiple things at the same time. Instead, focus on one task at a time and put your energy into doing it fully. If you struggle with jumping from task to task, create a to-do list that you can check off. Don’t jump to a new task until the item before it in the list is checked. Focusing on one task at a time will help with concentration and improve your productivity.
Automate
Think of how much easier your day would be if things on your to-do list were completed automatically. In the high-tech world we live in today, there are things you can have your gadgets handle instead of taking time to do them yourself. The best way to accomplish this is to invest in smart plugs compatible with your smart home, or just a plug with a timer. Set up automatic timers for lights, sprinklers, electronics, etc throughout your home to go off and on by themselves. You can also automate your bills through autopay to reduce mail and never have to worry about missing a payment.
Slow Down
The best way to simplify your life? Slow down. It’s okay to not get everything done in a day. Not every minute of your day needs to be filled with “productive” activity. Every now of then, take a day to just relax and slow down and enjoy the things you love.
Say No
Lastly, learn to say no to things that do not add value to your life. Of course, saying yes can open
doors and allow of to experience new things. You should absolutely say yes to things that may bring you joy. But, it’s important to prioritize your time, your money, and your well-being. Sometimes that means saying no. It’s okay to put yourself first, even when saying no may disappoint others. You can say no to toxic people, to stressful situations, and to anything else that you don’t want in your life.
Don’t feel like you have to accomplish all of the things on this list when learning how to simplify your life. Even just starting with one or two can help you begin to prioritize yourself and the things you care about most.
