Living Simply

“Live a simple life.”

When you hear those words, what do you imagine?

A life with less stress?

A life with fewer belongings?

A schedule with less to-dos on your weekly calendar?

Many of us are blessed with a lot of luxuries in our physical experience— cars, appliances, and electronics, for example— but how can we simplify life in a way that helps our minds focus? How can simplicity help you experience more happiness and contentment?

Some people love the hustle and bustle of the city, the fast paced nature of life constantly moving forward. Others prefer to sit by the ocean and let the world stay busy while they take pause. You can read a ton of beautiful quotes on this blog by Melissa, telling you all about simple living, and in the moment you read them you'll feel ready to make it your reality. It's not as simple to tell you to purely simplify your life, there's way more to it than that. You don't have to embrace a cabin in the woods and live a life off the land (I mean, you could, but you don't have to!). That doesn't always make life simple. You just have to choose how to live as simply as possible and make your life easier as a result. Shall we take a look at a few ways you can ensure that you are embracing some simplicity? Let's go.

• Get off your phone. Take breaks. Limit social media usage. The connection to the internet is more of an addiction to most than it is a necessity, and that means that you are spending way more time searching for things you don't necessarily need.

• Consider cutting out your cable bill and/or Netflix. How many channels do you really need? Would investing your time in a hobby, sport or outdoor activity bring more peace into your life than the TV shows and movies you watch?

• Pay off debt. Spending time on your finances can clear a lot of mental clutter, even if it’s a bit stressful to navigate at first. Consider hiring a professional and working with someone you trust who can help hold you accountable.

• Do spring cleaning. You might declutter everything that you have and get rid of all unnecessary items in your home. Clear space. Sell the stuff you don’t need, or give it away to a loved one or friend.

• Reduce your expenses. What are you spending money on that you don’t truly value?

• Manage your time. Keep a diary for a few days of how you spend each hour of the day. Assess what times of day you work best, and plan accordingly. When are you most stressed? When are you most productive? Discover how to best spend your time and you will free yourself up to do more of the things you love.

• Decide on 3 things to accomplish each day. Focus only on these things until they are complete.

• Meditate first thing in the morning. A clear mind with clear focus helps empower your day.

• Move your body. Clear stuck energy from your system using physical exercise.

• Keep a list. What are your favorite simple activities that bring you the most joy?