14 Ways To Make Your Life Easier - Self-development

Simplifying life can seem daunting. And it can be tedious, especially if you have a lot of different things to do and your calendar is full of obligations. Try these ways to make your life easier

Where to begin? Why do this at all? What does simplification actually look like?

At its core, simplification frees up time for things that really matter to us, said Rachel Jonath, who writes about simplicity and minimalism on her website, The Minimalist Mom. "It means redesigning how you spend your time, money, energy and even space in your home to reflect what really matters to you."

Simplification leaves room for "creative thinking, imagination and play," says Landis, a life coach

Fortunately, simplification can be small and gradual and - yes - simple. Below you will find many practical, completely doable suggestions.

Write down your reasons for simplifying. Think about why you would like to make your life easier, said Courtney Carver, author of the Be More with Less blog and Soul Simplicity: How Living With Less Can Lead to Much More.

What's the point of this? How will your life improve day by day?

For example, you may be in debt. Maybe you are overwhelmed with things in your home and cannot find what you need. Maybe you constantly feel stress and a burden of commitment. Remind yourself of these big why's to help make your life easier.

1. Explore how you use your time

“Write your ideal week, including your schedule, commitments, chores, hobbies, and downtime,” suggests Jonat, author of several books including The Joy of Doing Nothing. Track your time throughout the week. Then compare the two entries. “What are you wasting your time on? What is holding you back from spending it on what you really want to do? How can you change that?"

2. Say no to a few things

“A simpler life starts with setting the boundaries of your time,” says Jonat. Quitting without explanation is especially important if you are chronically overwhelmed.

Megan Murphy, founder of the Kindness Rocks project and author of A Pebble for Your Thoughts: How One Stone of Kindness Can Change Your Life at the Right Moment, said yes to many things because she felt obligated. She agreed to go to parties where there were friends of friends who constantly gossip and make her feel uncomfortable. She said yes to every opportunity, without thinking about whether it was in line with her intentions. She noted, "Instead of saying yes to the things you think you should do, start saying no and think about what you want to do instead."

3. Leave your wallet at home

This is especially useful if you are prone to impulsive unnecessary purchases. Jonat suggests carrying a reasonable minimum, such as travel and snack money. "An easy way to curb your spending habits is to take a break from your usual rhythm of life, to think about going home to get your wallet and coming back to buy something."

4. Meditate for two minutes

Meditation helps to simplify the mind and create tranquility, says Landis, author of four books, including Happy Healthy You: A Complete Toolkit to Renew Body, Soul and Mind. For example, she began meditating by closing her eyes and imagining the numbers from 1 to 10 floating by, then going back to 1 several times as slowly as possible.

5. Remove duplicates

You can take a box and fill it up with whatever duplicates you have in your home. This can be anything from two sets of measuring cups to multiple copies of the same book or DVD.

“Once you fill the box, label it Duplicates and put it out of sight for 30 days. If you don’t need anything or don’t remember what was in the box, hand out the contents.”

6. Create simple rituals

Having to make a lot of decisions can be overwhelming. Sometimes a few simple rituals like eating or bedtime can make a huge difference in your life. As Jonat writes, if you have a habit of watching your favorite movies with pizza for dinner every Friday at home, then you have at least two fewer decisions to make during the week.

Simple algorithms give "more time and energy to focus on things that are usually ignored, such as long meals, walks in nature, conversations with no agenda," says Tamsin Astor, Ph. D., author of The Power of Habit: Free Your Power. developing good habits."

7. Pay attention to the little things

After selling her business, Murphy began to pay attention to what brings her true joy. And it turned out to be simple things: “Breathe salty air, look for heart-shaped stones along the coast. Only in solitude is the feeling of peace revealed. " Now she uses her curiosity and imagination to celebrate such moments. What can you notice and enjoy?

8. Plan meaningful events

Think about what's important to you and put it on your calendar for the whole week if possible. For example, if physical activity is important to you, you can create a schedule like this: swimming on Mondays, gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays, yoga on Wednesdays, walking

around the neighborhood on Saturday.

9. Create a clutter-free area

“This could be the kitchen table, nightstand, or drawer in your kitchen,” Carver writes. "Use this clutter-free area as an inspiration to live without clutter." You can expand the area every day. One drawer can turn into a clutter-free dresser, then the bedroom becomes a clutter-free area.

10. Clean up monthly

Landis clears the knick-knacks from his closet. She allows only the most memorable to remain there (which helps her home to remain a cozy refuge). You can do the same, or choose a different space that tends to become cluttered quickly and clean it out monthly (eg refrigerator, bathroom drawers, closet).

11. Replace useless habits with small actions

What habits don't serve or support you? What is overloading you? Replace these habits with healthy ones. Instead of an evening glass of wine and being stuck on social media, you can take a bath, have a cup of tea, or walk around the block.

12. Get rid of excess

Get rid of 10 items of clothing you don't wear. Or set a timer for 20 minutes and see how many clothes you can take away for disposal or donation.

13. Automate one repetitive task

For example, you can create a template for a letter that you often send to your colleagues or clients. You can sign up for automatic payment of mortgage and water and electricity bills.

14. Use tiny steps

Slow and steady movement can lead to long-term change. For example, Carver wanted to form an important morning habit for her. Here are the tiny steps she took: Instead of snoozing her alarm again before getting up, she did yoga for five minutes. A week later, she replaced another five minutes of nap with a letter. After a week, she added five minutes of meditation. For the next five weeks, she added one minute to each session each week.

Simplifying your life can sometimes require tough decisions and big changes. But there are many simple and small things you can do. This is very important when you are already feeling exhausted and depressed. So pick a hint that works for you and go.

Author: Margarita Tartakovsky