How to Simplify Your Life

Simplifying life is not as complicated as you might imagine. Creating a more peaceful and balanced living space offers countless benefits, and taking small, gradual steps is the best way to achieve it. Getting rid of unnecessary things, organizing your belongings, simplifying relationships, learning to slow down, and appreciating the little things can help you feel more serene. You can begin making changes today.

Decide what you really need. Simplifying life isn’t difficult – you just need to identify what is most important to you and get rid of everything else. Imagine having to pack your belongings in just one hour to move to a different country for ten years or more. What would you bring? What’s truly necessary? This exercise helps you retain only what’s essential and discard the clutter.

• If you tend to hold onto things because of nostalgia or emotional attachment, evaluate your connection to the item. You can start by sorting out the "discard" pile and donating them for charity. Old candles that haven’t been used in ages? Time to part with them. Newspapers from the 70s? Don’t hesitate, just get rid of them.
• Typically, if you haven’t used something for 18 months, it’s probably something you won’t ever need again.
• Does it bring you joy? Some items may have sentimental value but don’t bring you happiness when you own or use them, even gifts. For example, your sweet aunt may have meant well when gifting you a porcelain china cabinet, but if you don’t collect china or it doesn’t fit your lifestyle, it’s time to let it go.

Quick House Clean-Up. Grab a large basket and walk around your house collecting the essentials. Play some lively music and challenge yourself to see what you can accomplish in just 15 minutes. You'll gather trash, toss in laundry, and take a moment to assess everything. If something seems unnecessary, don’t hesitate to get rid of it.

• Focus on clutter-prone areas like the living room and kitchen. Dirty dishes piling up in the sink can make your home feel messier, even if everything else looks neat. If you're short on time, prioritize the most important spaces.
• Don’t stress about dusting every corner or wiping down every surface. Just focus on making the space tidy. Clear away unnecessary items and organize things neatly to create a polished look.

Periodic Deep Cleaning. It’s a good idea to thoroughly clean your home a few times a year to declutter, create more space, and tackle dust and debris. Pet hair, dust, and mess can accumulate in even the cleanest homes, so deep cleaning is crucial. Vacuum, clean carpets, scrub bathrooms, remove cobwebs, and wipe down windows. It’s your opportunity to refresh your home!

• Clear off desks and get rid of unnecessary paperwork. Check drawers for clutter. Reduce paper usage by digitizing important documents. This is an excellent way to free up space in your home.

Organizing Your Closet. Keep the clothes you love and can mix and match, donate the rest, and toss out those that are too worn out. If you have clothes that no longer fit, give them to someone who could use them. If you’ve always wanted to wear a particular outfit but never did, it’s time to let it go. Cut down on the amount of clothing in your closet.

• If you're hesitant to part with any items in your closet, try sorting clothes by season. You likely won’t wear a winter jacket in the middle of summer, so store off-season items in separate bags and pull them out when the time comes. When you stop seeing them, you’ll forget about them.
• Host a “swap” event with friends where you can trade clothes that no longer fit. That pair of jeans might not suit you anymore, but they could be perfect for someone else. Any leftover items can be donated to charity after the event.

Stop Buying Things You Don’t Actually Need. Don’t purchase items just because they seem like a good deal. Simplify your life by halting the accumulation of unnecessary possessions.

• Before buying anything new, ask yourself:
  • "Do I really need this?"
  • "Is there a more sustainable alternative?"
  • "Do any friends or family offer this service or product?"
• Limit purchasing new books. Only buy books if you need to reread them. Most people only read a book once. Instead, visit the library or subscribe to services like Kindle Unlimited. This way, you'll have more space for what you truly need.
• Avoid buying new appliances – make the most of what you already have. If you need a new microwave, that's a practical necessity. However, instead of buying a special pastry cutter, two knives will do the trick. Alton Brown once famously said that the only kitchen item with just one function is the fire extinguisher.
• Look into rental services in your area. You can rent rather than buy a leaf blower that you’ll only need for one season. These services are becoming more common, letting you borrow tools for short-term use and return them when you're done.
  • On the other hand, share what you already own with friends, family, and neighbors. Once you get into this habit, you’ll reduce the need to purchase and store more gadgets and “conveniences.”

Embrace Minimalism. Live in a cozy, small home and embrace the minimalist lifestyle. Buy less, focus on quality, and save money for emergencies or vacations.

• Consider renting rather than buying a home. This way, the costs of maintenance, taxes, and deterioration are handled by the landlord, not you.
• Own fewer possessions, but ensure everything you own serves multiple purposes. Items with two or even three functions are ideal. Remember, working to buy more things doesn't bring happiness; reassess your priorities and focus on what really matters.

Clean up your electronic devices. Pause everything for a moment to perform a thorough cleaning of the items within your computer. You should develop a minimalist storage habit and regularly clean your data.

• Install a time-tracking app on devices that consume more time than you realize. If you spend hours online, install and use a time tracker. You'll be surprised by how much time you spend. By taking regular breaks, you can minimize your technology usage.
• Try to keep your email inbox empty. Reply, archive, or delete emails immediately after reading them.

Create empty space. Having empty space in your home, room, or office can help you relax and foster a minimalist environment. Don't clutter the walls with entertainment items; let the space bring tranquility and simplicity.

• Empty space doesn't have to be 'white.' If you don't prefer a pristine living space that feels cold, materials like natural wood, exposed brick, or different simple patterns can also create a calming effect. The emptiness doesn't need to be white, it just needs to be free of clutter, shelves, movie posters, or photo frames. Instead, use simple lines and clean space on the walls.

Make your bed every day. This takes just five minutes but is great for your mood. Your bedroom will look more refined, simple, and tidy when the bed is neatly arranged. Small tasks like making the bed can help relieve stress and simplify your life.

• If you find it simpler to pile up the blankets and sheets into a heap, go ahead and do it. The goal here is to take small steps to simplify your daily experience. Instead of making the bed, you could spend that time brewing your morning coffee, grinding beans, boiling water, and pouring it into your coffee maker. You can also start your day by cleaning the kitchen and listening to music. Form a new habit that suits you.

Plan ahead for what you can do, or accept the chaos within. Many people don't intend to plan their trips in advance and only prepare everything an hour before leaving. They think, why worry about packing for three days? On the other hand, some people choose their outfits in advance each day, considering the usefulness of each item until they’re confident they’ve packed everything necessary.

• If you tend to procrastinate, don’t push yourself to change unless it affects your productivity or your ability to meet deadlines. If everything is fine, this is the approach that works for you. Just make sure to allocate enough time to complete tasks at the last minute, as these deadlines will help you achieve the best results. It’s simple and easy!
• If you’re stressed about unfinished tasks, complete them ahead of time so you don’t have to think about them anymore. Don’t stop organizing your luggage halfway just because you started early—keep going until it’s done. Simplifying means doing something now to finish it and have time to relax. It’s straightforward and comfortable!

Divide household tasks. A common cause of chaos and stress is a cluttered living space and disorganized scheduling. Taking time to do laundry, wash dishes, cook, and handle other necessary chores can be a huge hassle if you don’t approach it in a simple and organized way. Sit down with family or housemates to agree on how to divide chores and simplify household management.

• Divide tasks by day. Everyone should pitch in with cleaning trash and doing laundry, but not on the same day. For example, someone handles the heavy tasks for a few days, then rotates to other chores. Rewrite the household schedule that everyone agrees on and post it in the kitchen so everyone can easily see it.
• Divide tasks by preferences. For instance, if you dislike doing laundry and often pile up dirty clothes, make an arrangement with your roommate – if they help with laundry, you’ll cook large meals for everyone three evenings a week (when they return late from work) or regularly wash the dishes. It’s all about finding balance in your situation.

Organize your finances. There’s nothing more complicated than money matters. If possible, simplify your finances by reducing debt and cutting down monthly expenses. Create a budget based on your monthly income, calculating the average costs for default and estimated expenses. By following the plan, your spending will become more straightforward.

• Pay bills automatically through your payment account. If you've calculated the expenses correctly, you’ll never have to worry about bill payments again. Is there a simpler way to do this?
• Prioritize saving money. If you’re not sure how to simplify finances, try focusing on saving. The less you spend, the less you'll have to think about money.

Remember the saying, “When everything is in its place, everything falls into place.” Organizing each item in its proper place will make life much simpler. This is the key element that reduces worries and makes life more beautiful and comfortable.

• You’ll become more serene. When the keys are in their rightful spot, you won't have to panic searching for them at the last minute. This will bring you calmness and strength amidst the chaos of life.
• Your living space will feel more comfortable. A desk neatly arranged with all necessary tools will make you feel more pleasant and work more effectively than if you were rummaging through clutter to find what you need.
• Your home will bring more joy to visitors. For example, armchairs should be used for sitting, not for piling clothes. A messy home can make guests feel uncomfortable; piles of clothes on chairs may give the impression that guests aren't as welcome as your laundry. A tidy home invites more guests over.
• Appreciate and make the most of what you have. If your kitchen cabinet is a mess, you might not realize you already have 2 kg of flour and go buy more instead of using what you already have.
• Organizing can start step by step. Many people feel overwhelmed by the thought of perfectly putting everything in its place and fear making mistakes. However, doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Additionally, you can apply various methods to organize and simplify your belongings – choose the approach that works best for you.

Prepare quick meals. After a long workday, you probably don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen making pho. Opt for recipes that can be prepared quickly and search online to see what you can cook with the ingredients you have in your pantry. Use your free time to enjoy meals with family instead of complicating the cooking process.

Simplify parenting. Don’t do everything for your child, like preparing lunch, washing dirty clothes, or cleaning up toys. Instead, guide your child to start doing some tasks at an appropriate age. Over time, you won’t just be “doing things for them,” but will also teach them that you will handle everything, and they don't need to contribute. Show them where to find what they need to get the job done – guide them on how to do it, and let them handle it themselves.

• Create a chore chart for your children to follow and complete each week. Involve them in planning so they won’t hesitate to accomplish their tasks.
• Don't schedule too many chores. Children today have more extracurricular activities than before. Organize tasks for your children on days when there are no additional lessons, music, basketball, or other extracurricular activities.

Identify toxic friendships and find ways to either change or end them.

• Don’t waste your time with friends who tend to gossip, don’t appreciate your time, or leave you feeling drained. Start by cutting off relationships that don’t improve your self-worth. Or at the very least, stop investing too much energy into those connections.
• You don’t need to be rude or cause more trouble while doing this. For instance, you don’t have to post a Facebook status criticizing your friends list. Simply stop trying to maintain what’s not worth it. Relationships are like plants – if you don’t water them, they’ll wither.
• Try to spend time with loved ones. Nurture your bond with a close-knit group of friends, and prioritize spending time with them. These could be friends or family members who bring joy into your life, even if they aren’t your closest companions. The goal here is to dedicate your time and energy to those who bring happiness into your life.
• Embrace the ever-changing nature of relationships. Colleagues may turn into friends; friends may suddenly drift apart; or you might unexpectedly develop feelings for a close friend. Strive for simplicity, but understand that emotions, relationships, and our experiences can be complex.

Learn to say "no" to others. What complicates our lives is often our "accommodating" nature. We think life will be simpler if we let others decide where to eat, what our work responsibilities are, or whether we’re free to drive a friend to the airport.

• Alternatively, if you tend to be blunt and have no qualms about expressing your feelings, sometimes staying silent can simplify your life as well. Avoid creating unnecessary complications.

Spend more time with yourself. Maintaining relationships, emotions, and other commitments can be complicated. When you focus on the bad habits and routines of others, you're sacrificing your own time and needs. You're making your life more complex for others, instead of simplifying it for yourself. The need to spend time alone and focus on self-improvement is never selfish.

• Plan a solo trip to a place you've always dreamed of visiting. It’s an opportunity to hone your skills and explore new experiences. You could also go on a spiritual retreat at a meditation center to connect with your inner self.

Cut down on social media time. Chaos doesn’t just come from tangible things. Mental chaos can stem from status updates and posts on Twitter and Instagram, which can lower your mood and complicate your life. Don’t stress about liking others’ posts or constantly checking your newsfeeds. Everything will still be there when you have free time, and you won’t miss out on anything.

• If you want to connect with others, don’t rely on social media. Prioritize face-to-face interactions, schedule chats, and call old friends you haven’t seen in a while, rather than just scrolling through their online profiles.

Put your phone away. Nothing distracts you more than checking your phone every two minutes for new messages. Those texts, emails, Facebook updates, and trivial messages will still be there an hour later when you check them.

• When you're with friends or family, place your phone elsewhere and switch it to silent mode. Better yet, keep it in the car to avoid the temptation. Set a rule for your next meeting: whoever checks their phone first has to pay the bill. This will make you more aware of phone use and allow you to enjoy a peaceful evening.
• More and more people are suffering from FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). What if you don’t see that status update before everyone else? What if someone outshines your witty comment? What if the person you like texts you, but you can’t respond immediately? Don’t let the “convenience” of technology add unnecessary stress to your life. Take a break from something and enjoy the present moment in real life.

Stop reading self-improvement guides, books, and blogs. The advice of others on how to live can often lead to dissatisfaction. Simplify your life by letting go of the pursuit of perfection. Always be confident that you're a good partner, a great parent, and a kind person. Trust yourself more and go with the flow of nature.

Make a reasonable to-do list. For many people, planning makes everything simpler. Create a reasonable to-do list and try to follow through. What do you want to achieve by the end of the day or weekend?

• Some people find it more effective to have a stable list of long-term goals and plans, which help prioritize tasks. Simplify your career and future prospects by listing the successes you want to achieve in the next five years, or where you want to live. What do you need to do right now to reach those goals?
• Write down what happens during the day if you're unsure how your time was spent. Carrying a work schedule can simplify your day because you won’t need to remember everything.
• Celebrate each accomplishment throughout the day. Following a to-do list can be more enjoyable when you take some time to celebrate after completing a task. What will you do after cleaning the kitchen, tidying up your room, and finishing your work for the day? This is the moment to enjoy a glass of wine in your spotless kitchen. Always remember to reward yourself.

Handle tasks one at a time. Avoid multitasking whenever possible. The idea that a person can focus and perform well on several things at once has yet to be proven. While sometimes you may need or want to do so, tackling each task individually remains the best approach.

• Focus on doing your work as well as possible (or "good enough") right now.
• Enjoy what you do, even if it's just a small task. Washing the dishes can be an enjoyable task when you remember the feel of soapy water on your hands, the pleasure of holding your favorite cup, and the satisfaction of having clean dishes.

Leave work at the office. Don’t bring any tasks home to finish later – stay at the office until your workday is over. If you’re feeling stressed after work, relax when you get home so you don’t burden your housemates with complaints about the day.

• Reduce your working hours as much as possible if work is the main reason your life feels complicated. If you want to simplify your life, cutting down your work hours is one of the easiest ways. Earning a little less money could relieve you of some unnecessary stress.
• Don’t work on weekends. Even if you love your job, working on weekends can throw off your balance, leading to burnout and loss of passion.

Meditate for 15 minutes every day. Meditation can help reduce stress, simplify your life, and keep you calm. Start by finding a quiet spot to sit comfortably. Focus on your breath, relax your body, and let your mind settle. Observe your thoughts without judgment.

• Limit worry. Worrying won’t change reality, it only drains your energy, causes stress, and complicates things. Instead, make a list of activities and take proactive steps to address your concerns. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
• People often say, “Just be yourself.” This saying isn’t repeated without reason – when you deny your true self by pretending to be someone else, you waste energy maintaining that facade. Being honest with yourself will lead to a happier heart.
• Make wise decisions when it comes to pet ownership. For example, dogs require more attention than cats since they need daily exercise. The benefit of this exercise is that it gives you the chance to relieve stress and connect with the outside world.
• When faced with a situation, ask yourself, “Will this complicate or simplify my life?” Taking a minute to reflect can help you find a different approach to solving the issue.