7 Ways to Start Living a Simple Life
7 Ways to Start Living a Simple Life
Decide What to Stop Chasing
We all have things we want to do or beliefs of who we should be. Do they represent what we care about most? We can’t simplify life without letting things go. We have to choose what to walk away from.
Declutter Your Home
Home is where we all come back to after a long day at work, a vacation or just a day trip. It is our safe haven, our relaxing space and a place to enjoy with friends and family.
We want our homes to be a place where we want to be and not a burden of our time and energy. Find ways to remove items that take up space. The more you have the more you have to clean. Start small. One room at a time, one day at a time. Make piles…Toss, Donate, Sell. It takes time, but keep going. You will feel a weight lifted off your shoulders.
Develop routines for housework so that dirt and laundry don’t pile up. Dust one day, vacuum one day or clean a room each day of the week, kitchen on Mondays, living room on Tuesdays…or grab a Home Cleaning Schedule for FREE.
Learn to Say No
This will get easier with time. Life is full of things to distract us from the important things. When you say yes to everything, because it seems important, then nothing becomes important. The result becomes more to do and more stress.
Learn to say NO when being pushed to do something, an invite to join something, an extra glass of wine, extra items at the store.
It takes practice and discipline. Focus on saying no, so you can say yes to what matters most to you.
Add in Self-Care
It starts with you.
If you are tired or overloaded and rundown, then life becomes more overwhelming. Little things become big things and the resentment and anger creep up. Not the way to lead or love a simple life.
This isn’t about being selfish. Just some changes in your routine to keep you strong and healthy. They don’t have to add to your list or make you feel guilty. Go for a walk, take a bubble bath, do yoga, get a massage. Try my FREE Self Care Challenge.
Limit Your Screen Time
Step away from TV and devices. Give your brain and eyes a rest. These are distractions that take us away from the important things in life, like our family, home and responsibilities. Social Media isn’t being social. Be with the people around you. That is way more important than the latest gossip online.
Practice Gratitude
This is something that is overlooked in todays digital, gotta have it all, world.
Are you happy? Would you like to have more? More clothes? More money? More shoes? More friends? A bigger house?
If you answer yes, have you considered what happens when you have it all? You will want more and you will want it all, bigger and better. We all wish we had something different or what someone else has. We think that grass is greener on the other side. If we think more about our own grass, we can find more. More to be grateful for.
Be happy and grateful for what you have now. Instead of wishing for more.
- Think about 5 things you’re grateful for now
- Think about 5 things that make you smile
Focus on these things. You will feel more content, instead of being envious. Be grateful for your own green grass. Join my 30 Day Gratitude Challenge.
Shop Mindfully
We all have expenses, but avoid wasting money on things you don’t need, that won’t make you happy, to impress people. Instead, save wisely, create a budget and stick to it. It isn’t easy and it takes practice. Spend money on meaningful things that add value to your life.
Debt will actually stress you out. Living paycheck to paycheck without an emergency fund will cause anxiety and stress. Face that debt head on or seek help and advice from someone you trust. Dave Ramsey is a great place to start. His baby steps helped us get ourselves on track with our debt reduction progress.
Stop overbooking and over spending.
Forget about FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and learn to say NO.
Create space with less stuff and clutter
Keep things simple.
Clearing the clutter in our home, schedule and our head are great first steps to simplify our lives.