25 Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life

Sometimes I wish life was simple. How often have you or someone you know said these words?

Now personally, this sentence has been apart of my everyday conversation for longer than I can remember. I've found myself wishing things were different rather than actively changing them myself.

But over time, this way of thinking has changed for me.

Now, this mindset shift was the hardest step for me to take. I didn't know where to start or how to simplify things in my life because just looking at the amount of clutter I had was overwhelming in itself.

However, as I've continued to build momentum on this journey, I've learned a few things along the way. The main thing is that this journey indeed requires a lifestyle shift!

It takes a different way of thinking and doing to simplify things for the better. So today, I want to share 25 simple ways to simplify your life starting right now.

1. Set Daily and Monthly Goals

Give yourself something to work towards every day and every month so you're not running around without a clear direction in life. If you find yourself feeling stagnant, lost, or following instead of leading, then that could be a sign that you don't have any goals set—a vision and plan for what you want to achieve in life and how you're going to get there.

2. Get Your Emotions and Mentality In Check

Don't overlook the fact that your heart and mind play a significant role in your quality of life. If these two areas aren't stable, then it will be challenging to live a simple life.

In short, this may require you to declutter your mental space and sometimes hit the reset button.

3. Follow A Morning Routine

No one wants to wake up on the wrong side of the bed, as the saying goes. So having a healthy and straightforward routine you follow every morning will not only make your mornings easier but will help you get off to a good start more often.

4. Write A To-Do List

A simple way to organize your day from a task and responsibilities standpoint is by writing a to-do list. A to-do list is a tool that helps you prioritize. However, it's up to you to build a structure and system that works for you.

My to-do list uses labels that help me prioritize the urgency of each item. These labels are:

• Errand

• Immediate

• 1st Priority

• 2nd Priority

• 3rd Priority

• Remember/Reminder

• etc.

Below is an example of how I do this in Notion.

5. Get Active and Workout

Doing an activity is a great way to get moving and burn calories. It's also an easy way to stimulate productivity and burn stress. The less stress you have in life, the simpler things will be, and the simpler things are, the more you'll get done.

6. Lower Stress

Without a doubt, if you're stressed, life around you will be hard to manage. The best way to combat this feeling is by breaking those stress-inducing habits and developing positive habits that support the life you want to live.

Habits such as:

• Meditation

• Journaling

• Exercise (as mentioned above)

• Deep breathing

• Laughing (often)

7. Declutter

Decluttering is an easy way to get the ball rolling towards simplifying your physical space. Start simple with your clothes, shoes, or maybe the linen closet. Declutter anything that doesn't fit, that's worn out, or just old.

Also, don't forget to have fun. Decluttering is not meant to overwhelm you, so don't overthink it. Instead, make it apart of your daily routine—Declutter as you live.

As an example, donate one item a day for 30 days, or the next time you reach into your closet to get dressed, if an item doesn't feel right, then add it to a donation bag at that present moment.

8. Build A Capsule Wardrobe

When you have more clothes than you need, you tend to want more because you always feel like you never have anything to wear. Simplifying your wardrobe down to pieces that fit well, work interchangeably, and love will make getting dress every day a breeze.

9. Pay Off Debt

Paying off your debt will simplifying your life tremendously when it comes to your financial life. Not only will it help lower your stress, but it will also change your perspective around what's essential in life.

If you have consumer debt, I want you to take a moment and think about how long it will take you to pay it off; if you continue paying at your current pace. Does that number make you cringe? Upset? Are you worried about the future?

If so, good! I want you to get upset so you can get aggressive, start paying it off and get it out of your life.

Here's how I paid off $23,000 in one year

10. Save An Emergency Fund

I know this isn't glamorous, and it's probably not the headline you expected to read next, but as someone who has chosen to delay gratification to pay off his debt, I can tell you that it's worth it. Especially when you have a rainy day fund and money in the bank, it feels like you're in control of your life.

It gives you the freedom to make intentional decisions with confidence, making it easier to enjoy the simple things in life.

11. Be Creative

Sometimes we think we have to spend money to enjoy life. However, with a little creativity, you can easily create an environment that brings you happiness without breaking the bank or going into debt.

Spend time experimenting with new activities or exploring new creative skills. Regardless of what you decide to do, remember to have fun and keep it simple.

12. Separate Yourself From Toxic Friendships and Relationships

You're an average of the five people you spend the most time with; I'm sure you've heard this saying that before, but if not, soak this in for a few moments.

See, if you want your life to be simple, then don't surround yourself with people that suck the life, energy, and simplicity out of your life.

13. Declutter Your Digital Space

Often we think of simplifying as cleaning our physical space, and we forget about all the clutter we have digitally; emails, hard drives, phones, photos, all of it. Now, if living a simple life is the goal, then we have to clear the digital clutter in our life to ensure that we have balance across the board.

Take a look at your inbox, the photos on your phone, even your friend list on social media. Are any or all of these spaces overflowing with excess?

14. Practice Healthy Eating

What we feed our bodies then fuels our life. If the quality of food we cook and eat is high, then I believe our quality of life will follow.

Spend time observing your eating habits and take note of what you notice. What food category would you consider your weakness? Are those foods the best quality in terms of nutritional value? If not, try rethinking the way you eat.

15. Meal Prep

Once you understand your eating habits and where you need to make adjustments, now it's time to save time by meal prepping.

When you meal prep, you're simplifying your day by eliminating tasks like cooking a new meal every day that would otherwise dictate your available time for other activities you enjoy.

16. Be Present

Stop worrying yourself about the what-ifs in life. Instead, slow down, breathe and become aware of what's going on around you and within you.

We live in a world that's constantly moving and changing, thus creating tons of unwanted distractions. If we're not careful, those distractions can and will disrupt our flow of life.

17. Limit Your Time On Apps and Social Media

If you don't already, I challenge you to monitor your screen time on your phone for one week. I'm sure the results will surprise you.

Now, if you already monitor your screen time, be honest, how is it? Could you improve it in any way?

See, without self-discipline, your screen time is going to shoot through the roof if it's not shockingly high already. If you're struggling with this, here are two easy things you can do:

1. Deactivate the account

2. Sign out of the app for a short period

Taking short mental breaks from the online world does a lot for your mental health, impacting how simple your life is or isn't.

18. End Multi-Tasking

While multi-tasking sounds like the perfect solution, research indicates that it increases stress and lowers productivity. Instead, practice the art of single-tasking.

Learn how to handle one task at a time effectively, so you can get things done and move on.

19. Slow Down

Stop thinking that everything in life is a race. It's not. However, if you want to burnout, frequently deal with stress, and still feel like you're never making any progress, then go for it. Although, slowing down and being intentional with your actions is much more sustainable than rushing through life.

20. Learn What "Enough" Is

Society today is all about consuming more. It's a message we see advertised everywhere.

"The more you have, the happier you'll be."

Now sure, you can buy more stuff; the newest gadget, the shiniest kitchen appliances, the latest shoe trend, all of it. However, the question we have to ask ourselves is when will we have enough?

21. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others

Comparison is the thief of joy. Now, as I'm sure you already know, this statement is 1000% true, and it will always be true. But that doesn't mean you have to allow it to be apart of your life. Meaning if you stop comparing yourself to the person next to, in front of, or behind you, then you'll never have to worry about your joy fading away.

Remember, the person you see in the mirror is the person that's in control of your joy and happiness.

22. Carry Less Stuff

How much do you need to carry with you daily? How much stuff are you stuffing into your purse, pockets, or backpack that you don't need?

Revise how much you're carrying with you daily, so you don't overwhelm yourself unnecessarily. You'll be surprised by how little that is once you start paying attention to your habits and needs.

23. Learn To Say No

No is a freeing word. Please prove me wrong. Try saying it right now. Ready, set "No!" Feels good, huh.

Now try saying it the next time you're not interested in doing something or feel tempted to buy something you don't need.

By saying no to things like this, you're now giving yourself the power to say yes to the things that matter the most to you.

24. Journal Your Thoughts and Emotions

Simplifying your life also means simplifying your thoughts and emotions. Through journaling, you have the option to let go of everything that has proven to be a roadblock for you in your life.

Now, how you structure your journal is up to you. You can tell a story, write a bullet point list or write one long paragraph if you choose. The goal here is less about structure and more about expressions.

25. Ask: Will Simplify My Life?

If your answer to this question is no, then reconsider your decision before committing to something you don't need.