25 Ways To Simplify Your Life


I'm all about simplifying although, truth be told, that hasn't always been a passion of mine.  Nope - I used to like stuff.  Actually, I used to LOVE stuff.  It was comfort to me.  Then suddenly, a few years ago, I looked at it all and thought "why?".  Why do I need all of this?  Why do I have to clean all of this?  It just felt like too much.  Now I'm on a mission to simplify my life.

As I've written before, simplification {or voluntary simplicity} is specific to the person.  My idea of simplicity may not be your idea of simplicity.  And that's ok. 

It should be a long-term, ongoing process that is more of a journey than destination.

Because it's specific to each of us, the easiest way to begin the process is to create a vision of what simplicity looks like to you.  Once you have the vision, you start to create the baby steps.  From baby steps you can set larger goals and, eventually, it becomes more of a lifestyle.  That's the hope anyway....

Not every item on this list will resonate with all of you, but I'm hoping you find a few things that speak to you.  So, here we go.

  1. Simplify Your Wardrobe - go for fewer clothes at a higher quality and/or have a good fit.
  2. Simplify Your Décor - same as with #1, downsize your décor to fewer things that have special meaning or that you love.
  3. Compile A List of Quick & Easy Recipes - using these throughout the workweek will definitely simplify your evenings.
  4. Start A Household Budget - this will help alleviate financial stress and will assist you in tracking spending.
  5. Leave Work At Work
  6. Purge Your Computer - old emails, bookmarks, etc. just clutter up your computer and cause stress.  Take the time to purge those that aren't needed or no longer visited and keep it cleaned.
  7. Turn Off The TV - limit tv watching and use the excess time to do things together.
  8. Put Away Items Immediately After Use - clear the clutter.
  9. Get Rid of 1 Item Per Week For A Year - and if you buy something, do the buy one, get rid of one exchange.
  10. Organize Your Clothes By Category - it will be much easier to see what you have/don't have
  11. Use Meal Plans To Simplify Cooking & Grocery Shopping
  12. Purge Kitchen Gadgets & Equipment That You Don't Use/Need
  13. Stay Out Of Debt - work to put aside $1,000 emergency fund so you won't be tempted to use credit cards for anything that comes up then stop using your credit cards and begin paying them off.
  14. Simplify Communications - set a specific timeframe for getting online and responding to emails, checking facebook, etc.
  15. Be Present - don't waste precious time worrying about the past or the future.
  16. Define "enough" - determine what enough is for you and work toward it.
  17. Find A Creative Outlet for Self-Expression
  18. Keep a "To Do" List To Help You Stay Focused and Prioritized
  19. Carry Less - clean out your wallet or handbag.  Discard what isn't needed and organize what is.
  20. Plan Your Outings - run all errands in  specific areas on the same day.
  21. Pay Cash - this is a first step of #13.  Simply put, if you don't have the cash to buy it, you don't need it regardless of how good the deal is.
  22. Eat Healthy - while purging the excess from your life, purge the excess from your diet.
  23. Use What You Have Or Get Rid Of It - go through your pantry, make-up bag, etc.  If you've found things that have been around for awhile, use them immediately or lose them.
  24. Evaluate Your Commitments - keep what you really love and drop what you don't.  Going forward, learn to say "no".
  25. Have An Attitude Of Gratitude - be grateful for what you have.
How do you simplify?






15 comments

  1. Hmmm... 13 out of 25. I think it's time to re-evaluate. Great check list!

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  2. Great compilation! I couldn't agree more. In fact, I'm working on a series about organizing for the new year starting tomorrow, and many of these ideas are incorporated.
    One thing I did last year was stop watching tv as much. There are a handful of things I view, and now I have more time to read, write, garden, etc. One of the best things I ever did.

    Rock on, Staci!

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  3. I love this! For us, simplifying is sort of hand in hand with decluttering. David is much more of a minimalist than I am, so he's constantly challenging me to get rid of things. I'm sentimental so it's hard, but I'm working on not being such a pack rat!

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  4. Thanks Sue! Daisy - I can't wait for your series!! I totally agree about watching tv. Tammy - my husband and I are exact opposites of you and David. I have no issue getting rid of something where he pauses for a moment. Or two. :)

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  5. You wrote this for me didn't you ;-)))) Spent the day purging and making two piles..one for donating and one for a garage/tag sale. I haven't had one in twenty five years. Stuff...so much stuff. Great advice Staci. Thanks.

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  6. #24 was a biggie for me. I had a difficult time with it. I'm working on that, mostly able to do that now, say no, when not able or don't want to do something, but for years and years I just couldn't do it. Great list, thanks!

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  7. This sounds like such a freeing idea. I'll start tonight!

    Jo

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  8. Great list and a few things I need to work on myself!! I find myself wanting to simplify more things in my life the older I get. I wish I would've done it sooner too!

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  9. Such good ideas. The older I get the less "stuff" I want in my home. Oh, I'm still a collector, but I'm trying to keep only the things I love. Been cleaning out the storage room to redo it as my studio. Can't imagine why I was hanging on to some of that stuff.

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  10. Much of this is how I try to live my life, but in my craft area is anything but simple. Someday! I also avoid going to the store as much as possible and just try to make with do with what we have at home.

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  11. I've popped over (& now am following) from The Pipeliner's Wife to visit your wonderful blog. Love this list to simplify your life. After inheriting quite a lot from my parents very crowded home since my mother passed away, I've struggled to fit it all in my home and need some guidance to sort out my own limited space. I think this list may just be part of the answer ;) Wendy x

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  12. We're finally getting to the closet building stage in the new house so clearing out excess stuff is coming to the forefront. Clothes in particular seem to accumulate through the years. And now that we've changed our lifestyle, some of them just don't apply. So I plan to do a full wardrobe review - do they fit, do they flatter, are they wonderful - with plans to recycle or donate anything that doesn't come with a great big yes. Amazing how hard it actually is to let stuff go though.

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  13. These are some great ideas! We are on a journey towards minimalism, and it just feels so great to let go of the things we no longer use, want, or need. What feels even better is to pass them along and bless others who do need and/or want them. A simpler, more Christlike lifestyle is our aim, and it is wonderful to see ourselves getting a bit closer to that goal. Thanks for the great post...I found it on Pinterest! :)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment on this post!