Lifestyle
Food & Nutrition
Fitness
In order to live your life to the fullest, you need to simplify it as much as possible. This can be especially important if you’re working 40+ hours per week and trying to balance family time, social events, and other obligations. A busy lifestyle can lead to anxiety and even burnout, so it’s important to simplify as much as possible in your day-to-day routine. These 10 steps will help you start simplifying your lifestyle today.
De-clutter your life
One of the best ways to simplify your life is also one of the most daunting: de-cluttering. It’s natural and normal for stuff—and not just physical stuff—to pile up over time, but that doesn’t mean you should keep everything. Take some time to decide which items are worth keeping and which items aren’t worth it—it might feel hard at first, but once you start on your journey towards a simpler life, you’ll find yourself appreciating all that extra space. Here are some tips for getting started with de-cluttering your life. In order: Cancel unneeded memberships.
Eat more plants
You’ve probably heard that eating more plants is good for you. But, how many of us actually do it? For better health and a simpler life, try adding more plants into your diet.
Have your own side hustle
Having your own side hustle is a great way to make extra money on top of your regular income. It can also be a great way to learn new skills, build up experience and try out new things. If you’re looking for ways to earn some extra cash, it’s well worth considering having a side job or becoming an entrepreneur. The most important thing is that you pick something you enjoy doing so that you don’t feel like it’s work!
Follow your passion
Passion plays a huge role in making work feel rewarding and meaningful. I’m not talking about following your passion just for a career—I’m talking about finding your passion outside of work, too. Follow your passion and you’ll feel more energized, happier, and more fulfilled; basically, you’ll just have an easier time getting through each day. Some ways to make that happen? Travel (or take a class), read (or meditate), and volunteer. Getting away from everyday distractions can give you clarity when it comes to what truly lights you up and helps keep stress at bay. Start small—try taking one course or learning one skill per year—and watch how your life changes as a result.
Teach what you know
It seems like a lot of people don’t know how to manage their money. It’s like they just don’t know what works and what doesn’t. Good financial management starts with a realistic assessment of your income and expenses. If you have a handle on your overall financial situation, you can come up with appropriate strategies for saving, investing, and spending. The best way to learn is by teaching, so that’s what I did in How To Budget: A Step-by-Step Guide. In it I walk you through budgeting from start to finish, explaining all sorts of practical applications along the way. Budgeting is simple once you learn how!
Have low expectations
It’s nice to have high expectations for our job, but it can also lead us astray. Sometimes, we set our sights on a particular position and don’t get it—but that doesn’t mean we’re not a good fit for anything else in that organization. It might just mean that there are other jobs (or opportunities) in which we are actually more of a match. Whenever you go into an interview, keep your expectations low. There is probably nothing you can do right or wrong when first applying for a job—you will likely be out of place no matter what kind of candidate you happen to be.
Wear less makeup
Makeup can be a quick way to help us feel more confident, but wearing it every day can take its toll. Not only is makeup often expensive, it also leads many of us to overindulge in other unnecessary beauty products and procedures. To simplify your lifestyle and save money, look for ways to make your daily makeup routine less complicated. Start by incorporating less makeup into your morning routine. If you have time for only one step beyond moisturizer and sunscreen, start with an eye cream that prevents wrinkles and dark circles without getting cakey or irritating sensitive skin around your eyes—all while imparting a subtle hint of color that does wonders for your complexion.
Take time for yourself daily
This can be something as simple as reading a book for 30 minutes before bed, going for a short walk in your neighborhood, or meditating on a daily basis. It’s important to regularly schedule time for yourself because if you don’t take care of yourself, who will? Put your own needs first and prioritize self-care so that you can bring your best self into each interaction with others. When we make our health and wellness a priority, we can help those around us do so too—and it helps set an example of what good self-care looks like.
Work out less and stress less
Work out less, stress less: Many of us find ourselves working out and working late because we’re stressed about work. When you combine two negative activities, you don’t get a positive result. Eliminate one and see how much more energy you have for your work life. Maybe now that time at home is less stressful, it won’t seem like such a bad thing to give up an hour of exercise class on Monday night in favor of spending time with your family or just getting an extra hour of sleep.
Invest in high-quality products
If you’re trying to simplify your lifestyle, it’s often a good idea to invest in high-quality products. When you buy something that has a longer lifespan than something else, you’ll end up saving money on both utility costs and replacement costs. For example, buying clothes from high-end retailers might cost more at first but they last much longer. The same applies to tools (professional quality tools will last you much longer than something cheap). Plus, if you buy products of better quality, they can make your life simpler in other ways too—you won’t have to worry about replacing them as often or needing repairs as frequently (unless you have poor habits around care and maintenance).
