Does life feel extremely over-complicated right now? There are always too many things to do, too many people to see and not enough time in the day to do it all. I’ve got some simple and effective techniques for you to simplify your life and start living your dream.
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What does it mean to simplify your life?
Simplifying your life usually refers to releasing the mental and physical clutter that overwhelms you. In order for you to have more time and space for things that matter most to you.
Although it can be different for everyone.
For example, some people may turn towards minimalism to simplify their physical space. Realising that you don’t need a bigger house but enjoy fewer material things that fill it up for a more carefree home.
Whereas, other people may embrace more mental techniques such as mindfulness to help simplify their life. Using their mindset as a powerful tool to overcome stress, anxiety or overwhelm. Especially as it may be a chaotic mind that causes these struggles.
Both techniques have the same result. Simplifying your life offers benefits such as,
- promoting happiness
- better mental health
- reducing anxiety
- nurturing better relationships
- more financial freedom
- more time and focus on the most important things in your life
Reducing the stress and clutter in your life can leave you with so much more time and space. In order for you to show up as your best self, put more effort into your relationships and be more intentional about your energy.
Whichever way you choose to simplify, it will surely help improve your life, boost your wellness and help you live your life on purpose.
10 techniques and tips you can use to simplify your life today.
1. Start with a morning routine
On my journey to wellness, there is nothing that seems more powerful than a morning routine. Thousands of successful people have a solid morning routine. Setting themselves up in the best way, every day.
A morning routine can be the difference between having a bad day or a good day. ‘Getting out of the wrong side of the bed’ is used far too often for my liking. But the truth is, there is no wrong side of the bed! There is a good mood or a bad mood, a bad morning or good morning. It is how you choose to show up that makes the difference in your day to day life.
Having a successful morning routine can massively help you show up as your best self. Preparing you mentally and physically for the day ahead. Using tools like journaling to be intentional, set goals, and release any concerns weighing on your mind.
A morning routine will help simplify your life by giving you simple and effective steps that support your wellness. With practice, this routine will come naturally to you and automatically set you up for successful days. Helping you keep life simple.
If you don’t know where to start when creating a morning routine, try this blog post. Reading a book like The Miracle Morning for or Millionaires to follow the simple steps they suggest and build on them over time.
2. Use gratitude as a tool
If there is anything that is more important to simplify your life, it is gratitude.
I was first introduced to gratitude whilst reading The Secret as it is a tool used in the law of attraction. But what I opened myself up to was the most amazing and content feeling. Feeling my stresses melt away and instead be replaced by love.
Gratitude is simple practice that helps you to appreciate the things you have right now. Including the people you are surrounded by, the things you have, how available resources are to you and so much more!
Practising gratitude brings you back to basics and sheds a whole new light on life right now. Revealing how fortunate you are and how most of stress isn’t even worth your time and energy.
Gratitude helps to simplify your life by removing all distractions about the future. Bringing you to the present moment and cultivating a love for everything you already have. Doing this can stop you from stressing about what is to come or feeling overwhelmed about everything you have to do. It provides a total change of pace for your brain.
How to practice gratitude every day
Thankfully, gratitude is so easy to add to your daily life!
Start by thinking of three things that you are grateful for. You can do this whilst brushing your teeth, in the shower or during your journalling time. Describe those things so much detail, feel the gratitude in every part of your body and say thank you.
Trust me, this simple action can transform your day and help you keep life much simpler.
3. Embrace mindfulness to simplify your life
Are you losing days and walking through them in a haze? It could be because you are wrapped up in your head all the time that you aren’t fully present or showing up as your best self.
Mindfulness is a great tool to help you get out of your head and bring you to the present. Gratitude is actually one way to implement mindfulness in your daily life. Helping you enjoy life a little more.
Embracing mindfulness can significantly simplify your life every day. Creating space for you to pause, be present and fully aware of yourself.
I recommend using your breath as an anchor for the present moment. Taking some deep, long breaths and focusing on the air filling your lungs. Thinking of nothing else but your breath and slowing your body and mind down.
Take three or more breaths just like this and pause for a minute.
This short moment can stop any spiralling thoughts and allow you time to process more efficiently. Transferring your energy from chaos to something more useful and directing your thoughts in a new direction.
Mindfulness is also a great way to show up as your best self. Being fully present in the moment and allowing you to fully appreciate what you are doing right now. Like when you spend quality time with your friends and family. You can be fully immersed in the moment, forgetting about all your worries and having the best time of your life.
4. Set small goals
It can be so easy to get wrapped up in big goals and dreams. However, they can sometimes be more detrimental to life and your mindset. This is because they can seem so far out of reach.
Without a clear plan, you could be fumbling around trying to get there. Worrying over not reaching your goal continuously and stressing about it or just giving up all together.
Breaking down the big goals and setting small, achievable goals can help. Weekly or monthly goals provide a measurable time and can be more realistic. Helping you to make small but meaningful steps towards your bigger goal.
You will also see continuous progress towards your dream that will motivate and inspire you to keep going.
Small goals will simplify your life so that you are taking the right steps instead of trying to do everything at once. Success doesn’t happen overnight but over time and wishing for big change can mean you do nothing at all.
Set small goals right now to relieve the pressure of your big goals.
5. Prioritise what is important
Doing too many things at once can be an extremely overwhelming and stressful situation. Setting small goals can help you break down tasks. However, you can still find yourself overwhelmed with what you want to achieve.
Prioritising can be your saving grace. Choosing what is most important to you and fully focusing on that task until it is done. Only moving on and thinking about the next thing when one task is done.
This also requires mindfulness to make sure you are doing your best work. Putting your all in instead of being distracted by what you have to do next.
Not only do you need to prioritise when it comes to goals. You also need to prioritise the elements of your life such as relationships, work and health. This ensures you are looking after your wellness and are choosing to spend your time and energy on what is most important to you.
6. Get good at making decisions
Being indecisive definitely does not help with the above point. Mulling things over at length can be the reason your life feels so complicated right now. Too many things to think about and consider is overwhelming.
However, you can strengthen your decision making muscle every day to combat this. Even the smallest of choices, like what to have for lunch, will help build your decisiveness.
Over time, you’ll be a master at quick decisions. Not allowing choices to take up too much space in your mind or in your life. Getting good at making decisions can be so empowering and help declutter your mind significantly.
7. Say no more often
This is one thing I have struggled with myself. always saying yes to anything in order to please others. But, this was so detrimental to my confidence and self-worth as it came from other people, not myself.
Saying no is empowering.
It can be difficult. However, you should know that you are not responsible for other people’s feelings and success in life. Your responsibility lies with yourself.
Knowing what you do and don’t want to spend your energy on means you can direct your energy where you want to. Saying no to when you need to can massively help you simplify your life. Giving you more time to focus on your goals and focus on your wellness.
8. Be more intentional
Tips 5,6, and 7 are all closely related to being more intentional.
I used to think I was going with the flow in life. Although this not a completely bad thing, I didn’t feel in control of where I was going. I wasn’t being intentional with my life or my day.
How do you want to spend each day?
Being intentional about where you direct your energy is one way to simplify your life. Intentionality puts you in the drivers seat. Purposefully taking action and not living a a result of other people’s decisions.
Eliminate things that do not serve you. Including,
- negative self talk
- a job you don’t enjoy
- watching too much TV
- not being decisive and more…
There can be so many things in your life that don’t serve your best self. Being intentional brings these things into your awareness in order to redirect your energy elsewhere. Helping you to intentionally show up as your best self every day.
9. Complete a clear out
Your physical space can be responsible for a lot of your life clutter.
Personally, I get so frustrated when I can’t find the things I need. Causing delays in my tasks, anger at inanimate objects and getting myself worked up. It’s just not worth it.
My energy is used in a much more productive way now I have decluttered. Organising my space in a way that suits me and not overwhelming myself with material things that aren’t necessary.
Decluttering can help release old burdens and remove negative thoughts. The physical action of purging things is refreshing for your mind and can encourage minimalism in your life.
Having less things can also result in less cleaning and upkeep. Reducing the amount of work you have to do and giving you one less thing to worry about.
10. Only purchase things you need
Buying material things can provide enjoyment. But how long does it last? Reaching for material things out of comfort or for joy can be sign that you are not feeling fulfilled or happy in your life right now.
Spending the time and money on things you need can be much more rewarding. Not spending the extra money and time on needless things is being more intentional.
Ridding you of needless spending and enabling you to save or invest the leftover cash. Perhaps even leading to advancement of your self and financial freedom in the future.
Practising gratitude can help you decide where and when to spend. Appreciating what you already have can leave you feeling much fuller. Realising you already have so much and have all the resources you need to be able to achieve what you desire.
Intentional spending can massively help simplify your life.
Start to simplify your life today!
These ten tips can be the key to the simple life you want to lead. Being intentional allows you to say no when you need to, be more decisive, and prioritise what is important.
Gratitude and practising mindfulness regularly can declutter your mind in an instant. As well as setting small goals and creating a morning routine will prepare you mentally and physically for each day.
Your physical space all cleared up and only purchasing things you need encourages minimalism. Helping to release the pressure and keep the clutter at bay. Keeping your daily tasks to a minimum.
Simplifying your life can be easy by implementing these 10 tips. Nurturing your mental and physical wellness through your space and mindset.
Let me know how you choose to simplify in the comments!