A new year is the perfect time to have a bit of a reset in your life. We have so much stuff going on nowadays that sometimes, we just need everything to just slow down. That’s why I’ve rounded up 19 ways to simplify your life. Take as few or as many as you need!
Journal your thoughts every day
All the influencers go on about morning pages but it really doesn’t have to be pages upon pages of thoughts. I just jot down three things I’m grateful for every morning and it sets me up for the day. I’ve actually created my own five-year journal so I can use it for longer than your average journal. It’s so nice to start your day out positively and get things out of your head and onto paper. There are apps as an alternative but I try not to use my phone first thing!
Declutter something
One of my favourite things to do when I feel like everything is a bit too much is declutter. I won’t get specific but choose something! It can be small like the top drawer of your bedside table or an entire room. We really don’t need as much stuff as we have. Sure, I stock up on my favourites (usually toiletries, because mine often get discontinued), but you often don’t need multiples of things, especially if you don’t use them!
Try a capsule wardrobe
This has been life-changing for me. As a former clothes hoarder with two huge wardrobes and four rails, capsule wardrobes changed my mindset, my wardrobe, and my bank balance! All you do is select your favourite pieces for the season and wear only those for three months. It’s a good way to see which clothes you love and which you don’t. It’s a long experiment so if you don’t wear something for a year, it needs to go.
Go on a no-spend challenge
It could be for the month or say you want 10 no-spend days this month. Start small and do 1-2 days a week of no spending. Honestly, it can be life-changing. You’ll realise how much unnecessary stuff you spend. I’ll preface this by saying it’s variable spending, not fixed payments and bills!
Stay hydrated
Drinking water regularly is one of the best ways to feel a little better. a lot of the time when we think we’re hungry, we’re often just dehydrated! I’m rarely seen without a refillable water bottle, whether I’m at home or out of the house. Most places will refill your bottle for free too, meaning you can save some pennies too!
Take back control of your inbox
One thing to do to keep your life simple is to get your inbox under control. That means unsubscribing from all those emails that you open and delete straight away. A new year is the best time to do it when you get bombarded with sales upon sales.
Write a to-do list for tomorrow
One way to get everything out of your head is to get it onto paper. This is a task that I do every evening for the following day, purely to save time in the morning. You’ll probably add tasks to it in the morning but it’s great to have an idea of the bigger tasks you need to get done. In fairness, I’m a big fan of lists in general. It could be blog post ideas, TV shows to watch, books to read, packing lists, or shopping lists!
Learn that rest is good
Take it from a former go-getter, I much prefer a simpler life now. I do my work, I read my books, I write my blogs, I watch my shows and that’s about it! I enjoy spending time at home and I enjoy having less stuff. A movie night or a night in with a good book is all I need!
Get your head around your money mindset
This is always a work in progress for me because money is so personal. I’m trying to focus on less emotional spending and more intentional purchases, spending less on things and more on experiences (travel and theatre for me). Setting a monthly budget with my plans in mind is helping as well as the odd side hustle too.
Find your creative side
This could literally be anything! For me, I’ve been having fun bullet journalling and blogging is my ‘fun’ time. Find yourself a creative hobby that keeps your brain ticking over. I tried colouring but I’m awful at it. I did enjoy making bracelets for the Eras Tour so I might continue that into 2025.
Have a paperwork system
Most of us now have paperless bills/statements etc but sometimes, we do need a hard copy. Grab yourself an expanding file, categorise your papers, and label each section. Only keep what you absolutely need. Honestly, this has been a blessing in disguise for me!
Plan your meals before you food shop
One thing that helps me to stress less is planning out my meals. It also makes the food shop much easier because you know the items you need to buy. Don’t forget to shop your cupboards/fridge/freezer first. I’ll have a look at what I currently have, and plan my meals around using those items up first before making a shopping list of items I need to buy. In fact, I never go shopping without a list for anything, even clothes, and toiletries!
Schedule me time
This could be time to get a bath, go on a solo date, or quite simply do nothing! Get it in your diary for every week or month and make it a regular appointment! I enjoy quiet nights in when one night I’ll have a pamper night, the next I’ll read all night long. Whatever fills up your cup, do more of that!
Try something new
One of my favourite things to do is eat so trying something new to me means trying a new recipe or visiting a new coffee shop/cafe/restaurant. It might mean walking in a new area, trying a new skincare product, or a brand-new hobby!
Lessen your screen time
We all rely on our phones too much, especially if you’re like me and you’re a content creator and/or self-employed. I try to reduce my screen time on weekends to make up for that. I’ve tried to restrict myself completely but that’s too hard. Instead, I try to not use my phone after 10pm and read before bed.
Set simple goals
I love setting goals. However, how many of you set New Year/annual goals and never look back at them? That’s why I’m a big believer in setting monthly goals. It could be breaking down your annual goals or simply something you want to achieve that month in particular. In fact, I share my monthly goals on my other blog!
Revamp your routines
I’m big on routines but I’m also a fan of flexibility and leaning into what your body and mind needs at the time. That’s why I have a morning routine menu of tasks I’d love to do on an ideal, slower morning but don’t have time for every day. However, I do have my non-negotiables (drink water, gratitude journalling, and get ready) and as long as they’re done, I can start my day properly. With your morning routine, it doesn’t need 25 steps nor does it need to begin at 5am. Do what works for you.
Get organised the night before
One thing that I like about mornings is that I allow myself to have a slow morning. That’s because I’ve got organised the night before. Less so now that I’m self-employed and work from home, but when I worked out of the house, I was the queen of prepping the night before. I’d pick out my outfit, get my lunch ready, have my water bottle and travel mug set up, and pack my bag. Usually, I’d head to the gym before/after work too so I’d have my gym bag packed too. Seriously, if you’re a stresshead in the morning, get organised the night before and it’s like a weight has been lifted.
Say no
This is something I started doing properly during the pandemic and have continued to do since. It might be selfish but sometimes, I need to turn down social plans and extra work to save my sanity. It’s okay to be too busy for certain plans or say you’d rather do something cheaper. Nights in with friends can be just as fun, if not more so, than a night out.
These 19 ways to simplify your life are meant to be fun and not restrictive. It’s all about finding that balance between feeling calm but still allowing yourself to be challenged. I love living my life on my own terms, regardless of if I feel like I’m behind or not.
If you enjoyed this post all about 19 ways to simplify your life, you can find my other minimalism posts here. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram too.
