10 Tips to Simplify Your Life
In today's society it can be easy to get wrapped up in the rat race. The one that makes it a badge of honor to pack your days to the brim and somehow balance the chaos of fast-paced living. Time is money and if we can jam pack our days, we can have that sense of accomplishment from living this seemingly impressive life that we document on social media.
I'm not saying we have to go move to a beach and become a beach bum. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to fit into my life (and share on social media). What I do think though, is that, we as a society, are the most stressed we've ever been, and it's slowly killing us. What if we simplified our life? What if we cultivated a life that actually brought us joy instead of the stress to get it all done?
How to Simplify Your Life
How can we do that? Well, the crux of it is getting rid of shit you don't need. Getting rid of things in your space that don't serve you. Removing things you spend time on that don't serve you. Cutting out things, activities and people who cause you stress. We can do this by first, identifying what is important to us and second, by removing the things that don't make that cut.
Ideas to Simplify Your Life
1) Limit Screen Time
That could be your phone, laptop, TV, tablet etc. We all know we're never going to completely get rid of our screen time but we can be more conscious of it. We can limit how many hours we spend watching TV or scrolling mindlessly on our phone or working on our laptops.
2) Edit Your House
Go through your clothes and get rid of shit you don't use. That random hair product you got for free at an event that you haven't touched in years? Toss it or donate it (depending on the quality/quantity).
3) Start Saying No
I know this seems weird but so many of us feel obligated to say yes to things even when we really don't want to go. Say no to things that don't make you excited to go to them and free up your time for things that make you come alive.
4) Unsubscribe from emails
I know this one seems like it's going to take more time but in the long run unsubscribing from 3-5 a day will end up saving you the time of having to go through them all daily.
5) Meal prep your breakfast
Make yourself some little frittatas or overnight oats that you can just grab and go in the morning. You won't have to stop to pick up breakfast, saving you time and money!
6) Plan your workouts
Schedule those babies into your life. If you wing it you're less likely to get them in. Scheduling them for the whole week makes them a part of your game plan each day, and you'll feel so good getting in time for you! Ps. make sure that your fitness regimens are things that bring you joy! For me that means, climbing, yoga, lifting, long walks with the pup, sometimes running and pilates. Switch it up and have fun!
7) Listen to podcasts and audiobooks
You can maximize your time by getting in a book you love while cleaning or making dinner. I love when I can multitask and get in two things I love at once.
8) Prioritize your to do list
To-do lists are great! I live by my weekly to-do list. But it's important to prioritize those things in a way that work for you. What MUST get done? What would be a nice-to-do? What can you squeeze in between calls? (ahem Alex making that dentist appt you still haven't made yet).
9) Get rid of toxic people
This one is tough, and also messy. Relationships are hard. There's no getting around that, but if you have a person in your life who doesn't support you, doesn't make an effort and brings stress into your life; it may be time to reevaluate if that person deserves space in your life.
10) Slow Down
This one is SO important. We're always rushing here and running there. What if you just slowed the ef down? Take a nice walk with your friend, or partner, or pup; look at the trees and the flowers, feel your breath filling your belly. Find areas of your life you are rushing in and see how you can be more deliberate and how you can slow down.
The Beauty of Simplicity
In this scarcity society we live in, it can be easy to feel like more is better. And while there are people in this world who definitely could use more, most of us have more than we need. If those of us who have more than we need can whittle down our possessions to what truly matters to us, not only will we free up space in our homes and lives for new things that can serve us, but we can also donate the things that are still in great condition but aren't serving us to those who need them!