I know, I know, life can be overwhelming. Most of us are constantly busy and overly stressed. Sometimes it’s due to factors we can’t control, but others… it’s a itty bit our fault. There are many ways we van make our lives easier, more wholesome… simpler. Don’t know where to start? Here are 5 steps you can take to lead a simpler life.

1. CLEAN UP YOUR PHYSICAL AND DIGITAL SPACE

A clean and clear space helps with a clean and clear mind and that leads to a simpler life. It’s important that you don’t only organize your physical space (home, office…). You also need to declutter your digital space (phone, computer, tablet), as you spend a great deal of your time on there too. This might seem like an arduous task but it’s honestly the first step in leading a simpler life. Trust me on this one.

For my home, I’m personally a fan of Marie Kondo’s decluttering method. In short, you go through each one of your possessions. You hold each one in your hand and ask yourself if it brings you joy. If it doesn’t, you donate, recycle, sell or throw away. Once you’re done with the decluttering process, you find a home for everything that you decide to keep: a particular shelf on the kitchen, a tray on your hallway shelf… whatever it is, everything should have its space.

As for your digital space, it’s easy: delete any apps that you no longer use or that don’t serve you. Use this opportunity to also delete any pictures or files you don’t need. Then make sure to think about how you can use your phone more efficiently. Should you change your main page configuration, for example? Finally, while you’re at it, why not back up your phone/computer or tablet? You know you’ve been meaning to for a while now. You’ll thank me later.

2. BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU CONSUME

This is of course the logical step after step 1. Remember how hard the decluttering process was, right? You don’t want to go through it again, right? I get it. The trick is being more mindful of what you bring into your space (both digital and physical).

Buy less things. Make sure those things you do purchase bring you joy. If you bring something new into your home, maybe think about throwing away/donating/recycling something.

When I talk about being mindful of what you consume, I’m not only talking about what you purchase and bring into your space. It’s also about what we put into our minds. I know you’ve already decluttered your phone, but think about how much screen time you spend every day. Do you feel like that’s a good use of your time? How much time do you spend reading breaking news, scrolling through social media or watching Netflix? Maybe you can take some steps so that you can use your phone less. Maybe you check social media on your computer once a day and remove them from your phone, for example. The idea here is to be conscious about when and for how long we allow ourselves to be numbed by entertainment. Or when you do consume entertainment, to do so mindfully.

Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels

3. FIND A HOBBY

Any activity that drags you away from a screen works for this category. Also, remember: a hobby is something you do for fun, regardless of the end result. This might be obvious to some of you, but it’s something that can get lost in this era of keeping ourselves busy and productive. Essentially, a hobby is an activity you take up because you enjoy the process. You don’t need to have a goal in mind when practicing it. Instead, make sure you schedule some time in your day to practice your hobby. Say you like reading, for example. I don’t think you need to set a goal where you you want to read X books a year. Instead, I feel it’s healthier to make time every day for you to be able to read. It can be 10 minutes or 2 hours. Whatever you need. Having a hobby will help you disconnect and recharge, so you need to prioritize it. I honestly feel like having a hobby is a form of self-care.

For me, I just discovered I really enjoy cooking. I’m by no means an expert. However, cooking relaxes me and I have so much fun doing it. Plus, I get to prepare cool new meals for me and my boyfriend every week. I really love Allison Roman’s recipes. I have both her books and love checking her YouTube Channel. She has a great energy, makes me laugh and gives amazing tips for cooking.

4. SET BOUNDARIES

Basically, this all comes down to learning to say no. I know, I know. This one can be a toughie. I’ll be honest and say I have trouble with this one too, but I’m working on it.

But seriously, think about it. You’ve cleaned your space, started being mindful about what you bring into your life and have found a hobby that brings you joy. The next step you need to take is to protect you time and energy. So if you don’t feel like going out, say no. If someone is draining you and not bringing you joy, learn to distance yourself from them.

Start by thinking about your life. Think about what makes you happy, what you’re ok with and what drains you. Learn to set boundaries with what drains you. Think about those things you’re simply “ok” with and see if you can substitute them for something better. Make time for what makes you happy and protect that time.

5. MEDITATE (WHATEVER THAT MEANS TO YOU

I’m a big fan of meditation, even though I might not be the most consistent person. And it’s a shame because it’s when I start doing it consistently, that I start noticing changes in myself. I feel more aware of intrusive thoughts. I am more conscious of my anxiety triggers, and while this doesn’t mean I don’t suffer from anxiety, it does mean it helps me catch myself before I spiral out of control. Imagine how helpful it would be if I actually did it every day?

So you see, meditation is incredibly helpful in leading a simpler life because it helps feeling centered, listening to yourself, your body and intuition. It is essential in this world we live in where we are constantly bombarded by external messages. However, I know conventional meditation is not for everyone. I get that. But I feel like meditation can look differently in other people. Maybe practicing Yoga is your form of meditation or maybe it’s your weekend hike or even that nice hot shower you take in the morning.

As long as you are conscious in your body and your mind and not thinking about your to-do list or your job or that cute bag you want to buy, you’re meditating. Take at least 10 minutes a day to meditate. Breathe in, breathe out. Feel your body, calm your mind.