What makes you happy? The sky is the limit when it comes to determining what happiness means to us and creating our mission to achieve it.Things tend to get overwhelming when we attach unnecessary tasks, items, and clutter to this thought of happiness.There’s nothing wrong with wanting to have a beautiful home with paintings on the walls, a cozy pool in the backyard, and a garden full of flowers.But remember that even luxuries come with responsibilities, which can easily turn into clutter and additional stress.Simplifying your life should be easy, but it is harder when we’re put to the task.It’s tough not to feel overwhelmed when we think about decluttering years of accumulated stuff, cleaning out our hard drives, or even our day-to-day tasks.It’s easier to sweep them under the rug or save them in the “later” pile.
It all comes down to control, and with that control, we determine our own happinessYou can live a simplified life and still be happyHere are 13 ways to simplify your life1Limit Your OptionsPart of living simply is to narrow down the vast choices you have to make on the daily
Some items may truthfully be unnecessary
Look closely at your to-do list and eliminate tasks that are not important, and see if you can bulk several things togetherHaving a long to-do list can be overwhelming, and be mindful that our energy is finite
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Time BlocksAs an entrepreneur, time luxury can sometimes feel more like a curse than a blessingSet working hours for yourself, especially when it comes to completing individual projectsBlocking your schedule or setting time frames to complete specific tasks can help keep you on track without being tempted by outside distractions
This is a way to let your brain know when it’s time to work and when it’s time to unwind, and it’s very helpful in simplifying your daily life3
Prepare the Night BeforeEliminate unnecessary tasks by preparing your items the night before
Although it might take you ten minutes to gather your work items in the morning, why not get it done the night before and use that extra time to meditate or read the paper? Simplifying your life also requires utilizing your time better4
Set Your PaceEvery morning, we make the conscious decision of setting our pace for the dayThink back to a moment when you had woken up late for work and felt irritated and overwhelmedYour actions and reactions play like domino pieces, which either raises or lowers your vibrationsWhen you’re having a bad day, it’s usually caused by one thing that affects another and so forthBy being intentional of your pace, you have the control to stop at any moment to step back and reset
Start your morning off right by intentionally deciding how your day will unfold
5Find What Works for YouThere are many ways to balance your bank accountsWhat works for you may not work for another person, and the great thing about modern technology is the abundance of applications that are readily available on your computer or phone
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Take some dedicated time to find your routines and go to’s: 40 Top Productivity Apps for iPhone
6Worry Only When NeededThis one will take some practice
If we’re not conscious of our thoughts, our worries can travel with us throughout the day
There are ways to be proactive when the thoughts start caving in such as setting aside time to worry and only worryWhen doing this practice, you’ll begin to realize how much time and energy is spent worrying about certain things and how repetitive some of these worries may beWhether it be 5 minutes or 15 minutes, spend that time addressing those worries and leave those worries there when that time is up
7Meal PrepMeal preparation does not have to be hard or complicated
Preparing one or two meals in advance can take a considerable load off of your shoulders and save you some extra dollarsSome simple and easy ideas include making double the portion of a recipe or using jars to make easy-to-grab and go breakfastsThis guide can help you kickstart meal prep-ing: The Ultimate Meal Prep Starter Kit! All You Need is Here!8
Limit Your TabsTime to look at your current explorer
How many tabs do you have open at this moment?
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Limit yourself to having four tabs open at all timesIf there’s something you want to read, bookmark the page to read for later and close the tab afterwardEliminating unnecessary tabs is a way to keep focused on the task upfront9
Try Audiobooks and PodcastsEver have a book you’ve been wanting to read but don’t have the time to?Audiobooks are great to listen to during your commute or even at the gym
Nowadays, there are audiobooks and podcasts for almost everything – self-development, finance, food, and even astrology
Change up your routine by plugging into a show and learn something new along the wayIt’s a great way to simplify your life and be mindful of your time10
Stop ProcrastinatingSometimes the things we put off can easily be done in two minutesFollow the “Two-Minute Rule” – if a task comes up and can be done in two minutes, then just do it
This helps with procrastination and keeps your to-do list shortHere’s also a guide to help you stop procrastinating: What Is Procrastination (And the Complete Guide to Stop Procrastinating)
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Avoid Overconsuming MediaLimiting your screen time forces you to get moving
It’s easy to get lost in the never-ending world of news, incoming emails, and entertainment but, it’s all about consuming your digital information efficientlySimplify your life by managing your inbox and using the Two-Minute ruleFor example, read your message in your inbox and ask yourself if there is an action that needs to be takenIf the action takes two minutes, do the task right then and thereIf the action will take more than two minutes, then put the message in a designated folder to return to
Simple tricks like these will keep your inbox from overflowing12
Stop Overcomplicating ThingsWhen it comes down to it, life’s pretty simplePerfection is an illusion, and as a result, we become less efficient and less effective when we strive to achieve that illusion
Don’t get hung up on the details and ask yourself if it mattersSome of the greatest ideas have a simple message; hence you should “just do it”13
Be AdaptableSchedule changes and even life plans can happen at any momentThe best way to live a simplified life is first learning to adapt to change and riding those waves as they comeBeing adaptable also means preparing for the unexpectedStart your rainy day fund while you have generated income and pay off that credit card sooner rather than later
Learn more about the importance of being adaptable: Adapting to Change: Why It Matters and How to Do It
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Start including these 13 things into your daily routines, make them your habitsAnd soon, you’ll be living a more simplified life and feel happier
More About Simplifying Life
How to Declutter Your Life and Reduce Stress (The Ultimate Guide)
How Being A Minimalist At Work Can Make You More Successful
72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life Today
A Declutter Formula to Help You Throw Stuff Away Without Regret
How Clutter Drains Your Brain (and How to Declutter)
Featured photo credit: Kerri Shaver via unsplashco