Simplify Your Life

In my continued effort to create balance, destress, remove toxicity and find joy, I realized that I need to simplify my life. As my kids get older and graduate from college/grad school and begin the next phase of their lives, my husband and I are closer to becoming empty nesters. We have some big decisions to make so simplifying our life will help bring us clarity and create more space (literally and figuratively) for what truly matters. Here are some ways to simplify your life:

1. Declutter: Start by getting rid of physical clutter in your living space. Donate, sell, or discard items you no longer need or use. I started a declutter 365, with the goal of each day going through a drawer, a shelf or a small section of my house and getting rid of things we no longer need. I have found this to be much less stressful because it takes about 10 minutes and doesn’t feel overwhelming.
2. Prioritize: Identify what’s most important to you and focus your time and energy on those things. Say no to commitments that don’t align with your priorities. I personally volunteer a lot of my time to many local organizations, and I will need to access if these are still the right choices for me.
3. Establish routines: Create simple daily routines for tasks to streamline your day-to-day life. I like to make a to-do list each day. It helps me stay on track and check off the items on my list and gives me a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
4. Limit distractions: It is so easy to get distracted by social media. How many hours do you spend on your phone? Do me a favor. Go to the settings on your phone and check your screen time. Will it shock you? I know that the first time I looked, mind you, it was during the pandemic, but I was shocked and immediately took steps to reduce my time and live more in the moment. It’s important to protect your time and attention.
5. Set boundaries: This goes along with prioritizing your life. Learn to say no to requests and obligations that drain your time and energy. Establish clear boundaries with others to protect your well-being. Don’t be guilted into doing something if you don’t want to do it. I know, it’s easier said than done, but it’s important to put yourself first.
6. Practice mindfulness: Focus on the here and now. Put down your phone, step away from your computer. Cultivate awareness of the present moment and focus on one task at a time. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and increase overall satisfaction.
7. Unplug: Take regular breaks from technology to recharge and reconnect with the world around you. Consider implementing screen-free times or days. This is so important. I limit the amount of time I spend in front of the computer each day and I limit the amount of time I spend on my phone. I especially try to limit my time over the weekends.
8. Spend time outdoors: Nature has a way of grounding us and putting things into perspective. Make time to enjoy the outdoors and engage in activities like walking, hiking, or gardening. Take the time to see the beauty around you.
9. Practice gratitude: Focus on appreciating what you have rather than dwelling on what you lack. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude can lead to greater contentment and simplicity in life.

Remember, simplifying your life is a journey, not a destination. Start with small changes and gradually incorporate more simplicity into your daily routines and habits and you will feel lighter, happier, less stressed and content.