Life can feel complicated and overwhelming. How lovely it would be to press the pause button every now and then so you can slow things down and catch your breath (or catch up on housework or your To Do list).
So, putting it another way, important big decisions are best made earlier in the day, if possible, when you have more mental clarity! One of the first decisions of the day is deciding what to wear each morning.
Paper clutter could be letters, junk mail, brochures and leaflets, documents that need actioning, or that need to be kept for legal or tax reasons, or that you want to keep for reference or that you might need in the future.
A consistent evening routine supports us to relax from the day and get ready for bed. Here are some tips on how to create a simple evening routine that works for you, or how to make your bedroom into a sanctuary!
Clutter means different things to different people. Clutter can also take different forms. It could be physical stuff that you can see and touch or it can be other things which confuse, distract and take up space in your heart and mind.
Take a moment to think about every aspect of your life, the good bits and the not-so-good bits. What areas inspire, motivate and challenge you and what just brings you down and causes you to struggle?
This is a great roundup of ideas to get started on the path to LESS-less stress, mess, and stuff. I agree that one of the best ways to get started is simply to pick a place and start. Usually it just takes a few small steps to get the momentum going and then it becomes a bit addictive to par down and keep working towards making life easier. Thanks for writing this article and providing us with great resources to simplify!
Hi Barb, Thank you for your question! There's so much I could write, but here are some tips which I think might be most helpful. 1) Start somewhere. Don't get overwhelmed and think it's too overwhelming. Pick one thing on the list and just start. It gets easier with practice. 2) Pick a starting point that affects YOU and is in YOUR control. Don't try to change things that affect other people or depend on others. Other people have different priorities so if you want something to change, YOU need to make it happen. 3) Identify WHY you want to simplify. If you work out your real and underlying reasons for wanting to make changes then you're more likely to keep motivated when things get tough or you hit an obstacle. 3) Declutter an area of your home that affects you and you alone. Try decluttering your wardrobe as it's a relatively small space and affects no-one else but you. Practice choosing what to keep, what to get rid of and feel the benefits of a wardrobe that's easier to find things and get dressed. I hope these tips help!
I feel like I'm continually simplifying my life. I like a lot of the ideas you've mentioned here, like scanning paperwork. I'm going to start working on scanning paperwork and getting it out of my house. And toys... I'm going do a trial and take some away to see if they even miss them. It seems like they only play with a couple different types of toys.(Blocks, transformers and costumes.) I don't think they'll notice anything is missing. Besides, they love a clean, open space to play in.
Hi, I'm glad you like the ideas. If you get stuck with the toys, you could always try toy rotation. Put a selection of their favourite toys in a box and put it away for a month so your kids are only able to play with what's available to them that month. Then, next month, put these toys away and pull out the box you've had tucked away all the previous month. Your kids will have forgotten about them and will enjoy playing with them. Next month, rotate another selection and so on. It's a good trick if you/your kids aren't ready to declutter big time!
Want to be more productive? Close some tabs. I tried an experiment where I went a whole month with only one tab open at a time, and it massively increased my productivity. Is one tab a realistic goal for everyone? Maybe not. But you can see how I did it here. You can even group together tabs on Chrome now to become a tab minimalist.
Most offices have an unlimited supply of chips and M&Ms, which you probably gravitate towards during the afternoon. Instead, keep a stash of healthy snacks at your desk to perk yourself up and feel less defeated during the workday. Nuts, energy bars, dried fruit, and dark chocolate are all great options.
Thanks for this useful list. I put many on my own list to incorporate into my life. The one I did right away was to clean out my inbox. Man, unroll.com was so easy to use. I was shocked at how many email subscriptions I had.
Always love reading your blog! I do about 70% of these already, but listening to podcasts, setting monthly goals and decluttering have made the most impact in my life x
Lisa Villaume Where Women Dream Big + Master Their Careers
Hey,
Amazing tips..! These are really great and simple ways to simplify our life. Such a great and informative article. I would like to thanks to you because of this helpful content you have shared with us. I hope to hear more interesting topics from you. Keep updating. Thanks again.
I discovered that having less stuff, fewer obligations, and more time makes room for the most important things. I have more space in my life for people I love, things I appreciate, and opportunities I want to take.
Your environment affects how you feel physically and psychologically. Whether you waste time looking for misplaced items, or you grow overwhelmed every time you open your closet, having too much stuff wastes your resources.
When you have fewer items to worry about, you'll feel lighter. You'll also have the energy to care for the items that you keep. Start decluttering one room at a time, and see for yourself how much better you feel when you get rid of things you don't need.
Bad mental habits carry a lot of psychological weight. Feeling sorry for yourself, dwelling on the past, and giving away your power are just a few of the unhealthy habits that will drain your mental strength.
The less you own, the less you have, and the less time you invest into things you don't want to do, the simpler life becomes. And there's a lot to be said for fully enjoying life's simplest pleasures to their fullest.
Based on our personal journey, our conversations, and our observations, here is a list of the 10 most important things to simplify in your life today to begin living a more balanced, joyful lifestyle:
If you will invest the time to declutter the non-essential possessions from your life, you will never regret it. For more inspiration, consider Simplify: 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life.
A lot of us (including myself) do not know or understand from an early age that we have the right to know about & set healthy boundaries. The book is a real eye opener about internal and external boundaries, and I highly recommend it.
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In this blog post, we will explore simple and practical ways to simplify your life, reducing stress and finding more joy in your everyday experiences. Life can be overwhelming at times, but by adopting these easy-to-understand strategies, you can create a more balanced and fulfilling existence.
Start by decluttering your living and working spaces. Remove items you no longer need or use, and organize your belongings in a way that makes sense to you. A tidy environment can promote a clear mind and make it easier to find what you need, reducing unnecessary stress and distractions.
Make a to-do list and prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines. This way, you can focus on what truly matters and avoid feeling overwhelmed. As you complete tasks, check them off your list, which can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to continue.
Don't be afraid to say no to additional commitments that might overload your schedule. Prioritizing your well-being means understanding your limits and respecting your time. By saying no to some things, you create space for more fulfilling activities and better balance in your life.
Being present in the moment can greatly reduce stress and anxiety. Embrace mindfulness practices like meditation or simply take a few minutes each day to focus on your breath and observe your thoughts without judgment. This will help you stay centered and more in tune with yourself and your surroundings.
Set achievable and realistic goals for yourself, both short-term and long-term. Breaking bigger tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make them feel less daunting and more achievable. Celebrate your progress along the way to stay motivated and positive.
Limit your screen time and take breaks from electronic devices. Unsubscribe from unnecessary email lists, organize your digital files, and declutter your social media accounts. A less cluttered digital space can lead to reduced stress and increased focus.
Take a moment each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for. Gratitude can shift your perspective and help you appreciate the simple joys in life. Consider keeping a gratitude journal to record these positive moments and revisit them when you need a boost.
Simplifying your life doesn't have to be complicated. By decluttering your physical and digital spaces, setting priorities, embracing mindfulness, and practicing gratitude, you can create a more balanced and joyful life. Remember, small changes can have a big impact, so start incorporating these tips into your daily routine and enjoy the benefits of a simplified lifestyle.
I right click on a folder or file, choose "Copy Dropbox link" and when I paste it into a forum, it looks OK, but when I submit the post, it has my link with the words "Simplify your Life" added to the link. Other users of the forum find this suspicious and are often reluctant to click on these links.
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