7 Ways to Simplify Your Life

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7 Ways to Simplify Your Life

Aside from politics, stress is something I have actively tried to eliminate from my life. Over the last few months, I’ve felt myself go through waves of feeling totally in control of my life – and then waves of chaos, clutter, and finally peace.
 
I shared recently how I achieve balance in my life, but one of the other things I promised myself this year though was that I was going to try to simplify and de-stress my life, take in the good and toss out the bad. For the most part, I think I’ve got it down – but of course, there’s always room for improvement!
 
Simplifying your life can be reduced to many different things; maybe it’s letting go of relationships, getting rid of that old t-shirt from the early 2000’s, letting go of toxic friendships or relationships, or simply taking the time to better organize your home. For me, simplifying my life has been a mixture of those things, and trying to be more conscious in choosing what I bring into my life. 

7 Ways to Simplify Your Life

Try to Stop Doubting Yourself

The best way to simplify your life and eliminate stress? Try to stop second-guessing and questioning yourself. As someone who struggles with anxiety, I know how easy it is to get stuck on questioning yourself on a loop until you feel totally overwhelmed.

Part of living a simpler and happier life though is finding your confidence in what you do, think, and say. It can be challenging, but the next time you’re going off the deep end questioning yourself – stop. You are strong, you’re smart, and your opinions matter. And if you are feeling stuck because you are wondering if you truly got something wrong, talk to a friend or person you trust and ask them. Sometimes having someone else’s objective opinion will help give you clarity. 

Embrace “Chill” Time

Schedule a bit of time to relax. This could mean having a movie night, spending some time reading a new book, or even just giving yourself a few moments of peace before beginning your day. For me, I love taking a few minutes each day to do pilates, yoga, or meditation. It helps calm my mind and allows me to think more clearly. 

De-Clutter

A cluttered space stresses me out and makes it nearly impossible for me to focus. That’s why this year, I’ve decided to go through nearly everything in our home and really access whether or not it is needed. Do we really need that old blanket we bought years ago but has been tucked away in storage since? Do I really need that blush that I used once and suspected it gave me hives? Nope, I don’t!

I’ve found that if there’s ever anything in our home which I see and say “I like it but…” then it should go. The “but…” makes it clear that it’s an item that I will always find an excuse not to use, so why not pass it on to someone who will use it.

Put Positivity out in the World

Let’s be honest, after the election last night – there’s a lot of negativity, fear, and hate going around. And, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t had my moments of worry, too. But last night, as I went to bed, I promised myself that no matter what happens in the next four years I would try to put out as much positivity as I always have.

The world can feel scary, and sometimes what’s happening feels terrifying, but I know that there is nothing stronger than when people come together, and already we can see people around the world banding together. Simplify your life by choosing to project positivity and strength rather than fear, even in these often scary times.

Hold Yourself to Your Healthy Routines

Part of simplifying your life is appreciating the routines in your life that make you feel your best. For me, that’s attending exercise classes and keeping a sleep schedule – but for you, it could be a weekly coffee meeting with a friend, or Friday night date night with your partner. Healthy routines keep your attitude positive. They are an easy way to keep your mind happy and healthy.

Unplug Everyday

This one is a tough one for me — I am definitely addicted to hopping on Instagram or checking my work emails too much during my off hours.

At a certain point every day, unplug and unwind. Turn off the computer, and the TV, and power down your phone. We are now so connected to our work through our phones that it’s nearly impossible to really get away from it all – and that’s why it’s so important for you to force yourself into having some peace and quiet. Especially before bedtime, try to give yourself a break from viewing your phone, for at least an hour before bedtime, so that you can ease into a good night’s rest.

Embrace Your Go-to’s

When I talk about go-to’s I mean style, beauty, diet, –  anything and everything that you rely on to make you feel your best. Rather than always feeling the need to revamp your beauty routine, embrace your go-to favourites. For years, I was on the hunt for a bright lipstick that would totally suit me – and just recently I realized part of why I’ve never found one that’s really “me” is because I really hate the maintenance of wearing a bright lip. The fact is, a bright lip will never be my go-to. My hunt for the perfect “go-to” bright lipstick ended then and there.

I tend to go with very natural and simple makeup looks and I only have a few hairstyles that I do. I actually recently shared my easy go-to No Makeup Makeup Look Tutorial and my super easy go-to curling wand hair tutorial.