Do you accumulate material things, feeling as though they will add to your life if you do, yet, even when you can accumulate them, you are not as happy as you thought you would be?
It’s an unfortunate feeling for many people. It’s not how much we have in life that makes it worth living. However, many feel it will fill the void of what they perceive to be missing in their life.
Minimalism is an essential part of living simply. It’s about keeping only what’s necessary and avoiding clutter. You can be a minimalist in many things in various areas of your life, such as in the possessions that you keep, your productivity, and how you organize your home.
You can live well with only the essentials, and be super happy! Living simply is where you live with less. You live with less clutter, less stress, less of everything, and you remove all the things in your life that do not bring you joy.
You also soon learn that when you have less it feels like you have more. You have more time and more money. You may have heard of the saying, ‘Less is more.’ It’s because you use what you have, and use it wisely, whether that be your time or your money.
Develop These Habits to Live Simply
You may find it difficult to get rid of what you have accumulated so proudly or to stop giving away your time on unimportant tasks. However, when you do you will feel lighter and less burdened.
Here are some habits to help you transition your life to living more simply.
Plan Your Day
One key to living simply is taking control of your time. Do you always rush in the morning? Do you feel like you haven’t accomplished tasks on your to-do list when you review them at the end of the day?
Rethink how to plan your day, and know that you can’t always finish everything you put on your to-do list. Instead, prioritize your tasks to complete the most important. Plan your day based on what you can realistically do, and be content if you have to delay the last few tasks for another day.
Learn to Say No
Another reason that you feel swamped with things to do is that you probably find you can’t say no when asked to do something by another person. You have to stop saying yes to every request. Learn to say no!
Know when you have enough to deal with. Know when you can’t help other people no matter how much you want to. Your time is limited.
Also, learn to say no to the things that don’t make you happy. You don’t always have to join in on a weekend get-together, or attend a party just because you feel you should. If they don’t make you happy, stay home, or do something else. Say no to toxic relationships and negative people too.
Keep Your Home Tidy
It’s nice to come home to a clean, tidy house. When you wake up, start your day by making your bed. This simple habit can amazingly affect your life in so many ways. You are beginning your day productively and it can make you feel motivated to complete the next simple task.
Aside from making your bed, keeping your things tidy can also help you live simply. If you tidy the kitchen after breakfast, you feel organized. Make it a habit to put things where they belong so your place (and your life) will stay organized.
Did you finish your coffee? Wash the cup right away. It’s just one cup, so it shouldn’t take much effort to clean and put away. If you leave it in the sink, you’ll be tempted to put the next lot of dishes in there too. The more dishes you see there, the more it will feel tiring to clean them up.
As you can see, making the bed and tidying the kitchen are two acts that will help you develop three excellent habits – productivity, motivation, and organization.
Be Frugal with Your Money
Be mindful of how you spend your money. Being frugal doesn’t mean you need to buy only cheap items. It means spending your money wisely on things that will give you the most value for your purchase. Think before you buy. Do you need it, or do you just want it? Needs and wants are two different things.
You don’t need a lot of money or possessions to live well. There are many things that you can buy with little money that will give you great joy.
Take Your Time
Taking things slowly can simplify your life too. Take your time in doing things and avoid rushing. You’ll feel less stressed and overwhelmed. Eat slowly. Drive without rushing. Don’t multitask. You’ll notice the small things and learn to appreciate them when you slow down your life.
Living well can often mean finding greater meaning in the simple things of life. It’s time to appreciate the small things, as often these are the joyful things you may be missing.
