The definition of simplifying life can vary from person to person. For some, it means following a set routine to accomplish daily tasks at specific times, thereby avoiding feeling overwhelmed by work or responsibilities. For others, it involves achieving a balance between their professional and personal lives.
For me, simplifying life means intentionally reducing the complexity and clutter in various areas of my life to achieve deeper clarity, peace, and contentment. It means refining my daily routines, paring down my possessions, commitments, and adjusting my mindset to focus on what truly matters and brings fulfillment.
By embracing simplicity, I aim to create a more intentional and harmonious way of living that aligns with my values and enhances my overall well-being.
While there isn't a step-by-step guideline to reach a definitive moment where you can declare, "Now I have simplified my life," because such a moment doesn't exist, it's an ongoing process.
What matters to you today may not be relevant to your lifestyle in a few years, as our mindset and priorities naturally evolve over time and with new experiences. Simplifying our life can be seen as a mindset rather than a fixed state. It's an ongoing effort to cultivate this mindset and adapt to changes, gradually simplifying our lives.
Here are five simple changes I applied to simplify my life. This may or may not resonate with you because everyone’s journey is different and unique. I hope this post helps you in some way, so let's get started.
1. Decluttering Physical Spaces
My living space used to be cluttered and messy, not because I didn't clean and organize, but because my house was filled with so much unnecessary stuff. After burning out, I realized I needed to remove anything that brought stress and clutter into my life.
I started by decluttering my physical spaces. Creating a clutter-free space helped me achieve mental clarity and brought me calm. It also saved me time by making items easier to clean, organize, and find when I needed them. Mindfully choosing each item to keep in my space promoted a sense of authority in my life and made it easier for me to make decisions on small tasks.
Maintaining an organized and clutter-free space improved my efficiency and led me to a more satisfying and sustainable lifestyle.
2. Embracing Minimalism
A few years ago, my life was filled with extreme maximalism. I had collections of shoes, hundreds of clothes, bags, and even utensils. Managing all these possessions consumed so much of my time. Until I was introduced to minimalism, I always felt stressed and anxious either because of the amount of work I had to do or because I didn’t have time to do it all.
Introducing minimalism in my life is one of the best things I have done for myself. Downsizing my wardrobe and other areas of my life has made me much more stress-free and satisfied. With fewer clothes, just two pairs of footwear, and only things I actually use, I save so much time, energy, and money.
3. Creating Efficient Routines
Having a morning and evening routine made my days so much better, if not perfect.
Waking up at the same time every day brings clarity to my day. I follow a simple morning routine: I wake up at 5 a.m., freshen up, and start yoga at 5:15 a.m. By 7 a.m., I am ready for breakfast after cleaning my home, taking a bath, and dressing for work.
Following this routine allows me to complete important tasks before my workday begins, giving me plenty of time to plan my day and tasks.
4. Saying No and Setting Boundaries
One of the most transformative changes I made to simplify my life was learning to say no and set clear boundaries.
For a long time, I found myself overwhelmed by commitments and obligations, many of which I had reluctantly accepted out of a sense of duty or fear of disappointing others. This constant pressure left me feeling drained and stretched too thin.
I realized that by always saying yes, I was neglecting my own needs and well-being. So, I began to practice the art of saying no. At first, it felt uncomfortable and even selfish, but I soon discovered that it was a powerful way to protect my time and energy.
By being selective about the commitments I took on, I was able to focus on what truly mattered to me. This also helped prevent over commitment and allowed me to allocate time for rest, hobbies, and self-care.
5. Letting Go of Perfectionism
I had a pattern of either abandoning projects midway or never starting them at all because I was so consumed by the desire for perfection. The pursuit of perfection weighed heavily on my heart, leaving me yearning to create everything perfectly.
However, since relocating to my new home in the rural countryside, I’ve come to a profound realization: perfection isn’t always synonymous with beauty. Reflecting on my journey from city life to village living, I’ve realized that perfection is nowhere to be found in my new surroundings.
My days are filled with unpredictability, and my life is anything but flawless. Yet, amidst the imperfections, I find a deep sense of peace. Realizing that perfection is an unattainable goal, I began to embrace imperfection and focus on progress over perfection.
This shift in mindset allowed me to set more realistic expectations for myself and others. As I continue my journey, I find peace in knowing that progress, no matter how small, is worth celebrating.
These five simple yet impactful changes have significantly simplified and improved my ability to manage my life.
If you are considering bringing positive changes into your life, here's a piece of advice to make your journey easier: focus on one thing at a time. Trying to do everything at once can be overwhelming.
If you found this article helpful, please let me know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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