Originally published on April 12, 2022 | Last updated on February 26, 2024
Modern culture glorifies busyness. Packed schedules, overcommitting and overworking are things you’re expected to take pride in. There’s a pressure to always have a full schedule for work, school, errands, chores, family, friends, side businesses and everything else. Life can get hectic and often times this can lead to stress and major burnout. If you want to do things differently, live intentionally and have more time in your day, then this is the post for you. Today, I’m sharing ten ways to simplify your life:
1. Declutter Your Home
If you’ve ever felt like you have too much stuff lying around your home, then it’s probably time to declutter. Get rid of any items you no longer use or need anymore. There’s no need to declutter everything all at once. I’ve found that purging your home bit-by-bit or room-by-room works the best. Owning less things means you won’t have to clean or organise as much, and is a sure way to live more simply.
2. Cut Down Your To-Do List
Never-ending to-do lists are overwhelming and not very productive at all. There was a time when I used to give myself a long list of tasks to do each day, and I found it so hard to know where to start. You end up completing a few of them as your day goes by, but when you realise it’s going to be impossible for you to complete your list, you lose all motivation. The shorter your to-do list is, the easier it is to focus on what you really need to get done.
3. Focus on One Task at a Time
Multitasking leads to stress and can make you more unproductive. Although it sounds as if it would make you more efficient, multitasking actually slows you down. This is because your brain has to constantly switch between different tasks, leaving you prone to errors and overwhelm. I recommend trying single-tasking as it allows you to focus on prioritising. You’ll give your full attention to the task at hand, and complete it faster as a result.
4. Create a Morning Routine
Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. Because of this, starting the day off right is very important. Creating an effective morning routine can make a big difference to your happiness and productivity levels. Getting up early and becoming a morning person will help you avoid rushing out the door every morning and give you more time to do the things you love. Find activities that work well for you. For me, I often like to jot down thoughts in my journal, write a gratitude list or carry out some exercises.
5. Clean up Your Digital Life
Just like physical clutter, digital clutter can also become a problem. It’s a good idea to make it a habit to regularly clean up your email inbox, tidy up your documents, organise your photos, streamline your social media accounts and manage your app notifications. Doing a digital declutter is very beneficial and will save you so much time in the long run. When I did a recent digital declutter, I found that it made such a big difference to my life.
6. Spend Less Money
Taking control of your spending habits is another way to simplify your life. We’re constantly shown ads for all sorts of products, and it can be easy to fall into the consumerism trap. A great tip I follow is this: if you do see an item that you’re interested in buying, don’t purchase it straight away. Wait a week or so, and then see if you still want it. Many times, you’ll find that you’re not as interested anymore. This is great as you’ll be able to cut back on clutter and find value in the things you already have.
7. Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Instead of spending lots of time searching through your wardrobe trying to find something to wear every day, why not create a capsule wardrobe of your favourites? Try to choose items that will mix and match well for everyday wear. Then, put away all of the clothes you don’t wear that often in a box. If you find that you never return to the box for certain items, donate them. I have a capsule wardrobe myself and love all the time I save on picking outfits in the morning.
8. Plan Out Your Meals
Did you know that meal planning can save you so much time and money? Spend some time planning your dinners out for the entire month. That way, you won’t have to waste time trying to figure out what to cook each night. You’ll also save a lot of money as you’ll have a list to stick to when you’re doing your grocery shop. You won’t need to shop as often as you’ll be prepared in advance. Trust me, this tip will change your life!
9. Know When to Say “No”
Don’t feel the need to say “yes” to every invitation you get. If you don’t feel like doing something, simply say “no”. What you do with your time is your choice, even if you decide to stay home and read a book instead. If you’re unsure or, like me, find it hard to say “no” to an invitation, you can always tell them you need to check your schedule and get back to them when you’ve had time to think of your decision. Saying “no” allows you to choose where you put your time and energy.
10. Slow Down & Be Intentional
Instead of always rushing through life on autopilot trying to get a million things done at once, slow down and take some time to reflect. Try to focus your brain and think about the areas in life you may have been rushing, and figure out how to do these things more intentionally. I find that taking the time to reflect really puts things into perspective.
Do you know of any other ways to simplify your life? Share your tips in the comments below!
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