5 Ways to Simplify Your Life in the New Year

1. Declutter

This is HUGE! There is evidence that shows decluttering aspects of your life is so good for your health. Pick an area of your life, whether this is your e-mail inbox, closet, car, living room or your make-up bag and get rid of the clutter. Choose to unsubscribe to emails that give you a tinge of aggravation everytime you see one. Look through your closet and get rid of those shoes you have been holding onto for 5 years that you really thought you would wear. Make this a priority!

2. Make a to-do list

 Will you make a list of the things you need to do the next day, the night before?  Or, will you make a list of everything you need to do during the week on Sunday? Whatever avenue you choose, this will help you to simplify your days/weeks/tasks and can bring about a sense of peace, rather than anxiousness.  When we have all our thoughts and ideas swirling around in our head, it can seem daunting and overwhelming. Lists make things clear and seem doable.

3.  Limit Daily Media Usage

This is a hard one.  Pick whatever media avenue you spend your most time on and see if you can gradually limit your daily usage.  Instead, fill this time with reading, decluttering, catching up with a friend, getting outside…just to name a few.

4. Grocery Shop

Whether you hate it or love it, it is so helpful to have food on hand! Setting aside one day a week to head to the grocery store might help you avoid those last minute fast-food decisions because there was “no food in the fridge”. You can incorporate your to-do list strategy here by sitting down and making a grocery list for the week and then go to the store!

5. Create A Morning Routine

Make it a point to start off on the right foot each day.  Set your alarm to where you are not frantically rushing out the door and starting your day on a frantic note (yes, that might mean going to bed earlier).  A morning routine could include, make a to-do list for the day, sitting down to eat breakfast/ drink your coffee, exercising, or incorporating some sort of daily mediation/quiet time routine.

These are tangible, impactful, and realistic ways that can instantaneously make your life feel less cluttered and more simple.  As Confucius said, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making in complicated.”  This year, let’s challenge ourselves to simplify.