If life’s been a bit messy or stressful for you lately, you’re not alone! I’d like to share some “secrets” that can help you to simplify everyday living.
You can simply click on the video below, or keep reading for the list of all 7 Secrets!
7 Secrets to Help You Simplify
1. Clarity First. Before you can begin simplifying anything, your home, your calendar, your to-do’s…. your life… you have to first take a moment to identify what is truly most important to you.
Stop right now and take five minutes to stop and write down the answers to these questions: What is it that brings me joy everyday? What gets my creative juices flowing? What am I building with my time and energy? What do I care the most about?
These are your anchors. Once you are clear on this, then all your decisions become easier. Remember it’s not about doing more – it’s about doing what matters most.
2. One In, One Out Rule. Whenever you bring something new into your life, make a commitment to let go of something you already have. Most of the time we think about physical things when applying this rule: buy a new shirt – let an old one go.
But you can also apply this to special projects, or commitments. Taking on a new hobby? Maybe it’s time to let another one go for a while. This rule keeps the clutter from creeping back in, and more importantly, it keeps your life in balance. You stop accumulating by default. You start curating by intention.
3. Default Decisions. From the moment you wake up, you are faced with questions: what to wear, what to fix for breakfast, what to do first, etc. By the end of the day, all those little decisions add up to decision fatigue!
Having pre-made decisions will help streamline your day. For example, have default decisions for little things like what you’re going to eat for lunch most days, or how you start your morning routine. Having a go-to outfit can also save you mental energy.
4. Automate the Boring Stuff – like remembering to pay a bill, making grocery lists/orders, etc. Think about what you can “delegate” to your devices, like your phone or your digital or paper calendar.
I invite you to follow this link to download my free Grocery list/meal planning document.
See how I use my planner to keep on top of my week – and have fun doing it!
5. Embrace the Power of No. Let’s be honest, saying no can feel uncomfortable sometimes. But saying No isn’t simply a rejection… it’s a re-direction. It’s not about being unhelpful – It’s about being clear about your time – your limits. When you say Yes to something you don’t really have time for, it may mean you’re saying No to dinner with your family.
When you protect your No – you protect your energy and your priorities. A well placed NO is often the most powerful YES you can give yourself!
6. Declutter First – Maintain Always. A giant decluttering session feels amazing – and it feels like a fresh start! But the real secret is not one big purge – it’s in the tiny, consistent habits that follow.
Take a couple of minutes each day to do a quick tidy or a reset. Handle your mail before it becomes a mountian of paper. Toss things you don’t need as soon as you realize you will not be using them. Small daily habits are the glue that hold simplicity together.
7. Set a Done-For-The-Day Time – Have you ever noticed that work expands to fill the time you give it? This is certainly the case for me! Set a hard stop time for your work day, 5 pm. or 6 p.m. – whatever fits your lifestyle. But the key is making it non-negiotiable, just like an appointment or a meeting would be. When you know you have a deadline, you’ll naturally become more focused on completing the task at hand.
One of the most powerful ways to simplify is by deciding when you will be done with tasks for the day. Remember, your worth is NOT determined by the number of things you accomplish. An essential part of simplifying is allowing yourself the time to create space for the things and people that are most important to you!
So which of these seven secrets hits home for you?
I invite you to watch the video for more examples of how you can incorporate a few of these secrets into your daily living.
❤️ Angie
P.S. I invite you to subscribe to my blog and receive your free copy of Seven Simple Steps. Take advantage of this FREE 4-Week Challenge to create New Habits that will help you simplify your possessions and start experiencing the Benefits of Owning Less! You can also view my Decluttering Playlist here.
