After polling a few friends on their favorite tips for simplifying their lives, I compiled this list to share with you. Here are 20 quick and easy tips to simplify life.
While all of these may not work for your phase of life, hopefully they can spark some ideas that you can begin to implement and try today 🙂
This article is written by Karissa Tunis
For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection
20 Quick Tips to Simplify Life
1. Learn to say “No” more often
Also, learn that not every “No” needs an explanation.
Discover how to say No to your kids without losing your mind
2. Look long-term at your calendar
Try this as opposed to just day/hour, when making commitments.
Discover how to better organize and enjoy calmer days
3. Keep organized chore lists to simplify life
This is great for your kids and even for yourself!
Discover and take advantage of these free printable sticker charts
4. Schedule cleaning and housework days
Everyone thinks to schedule doctor appointments and work meeting, but what about your days at home? By giving yourself a block of time to get things done at home, you will feel much more accomplished and better balanced!
Discover how to pick your days and organize your focus
5. Turn off notifications and simplify your life
Turn off notifications for all of the apps on your phone, and then only turn back on the ones that you truly need. It is amazing how freeing it can be when your phone isn’t dinging all day long!
6. Try doing the bare minimum for a week
There will still clearly be things that you have to do, but you will realize where your priorities lie. Then you can work on letting those smaller busy-making items go.
Discover how to find the balance between work, home and play
7. Delegate responsibilities to simplify life
This can be much easier said than done, but you don’t have to handle everything on your own!
Discover how to make your life (with tweens/teens) easier
8. Surround yourself with others that have a similar mindset
People who tend to over-schedule will make you feel like you should be scheduling more too.
Discover what you should look for in a friend
9. Don’t do things just because you think you are supposed to
Take the step back and truly think about your reasons for participating in certain activities, events, and other stressors.
Discover why/how one family dialed their life back to the basics
10. Make crockpot meals as much as possible
There are many wonderful, healthy, and delicious recipes out there that will not require all day in the kitchen.
Discover family meal recipes, print out free recipe cards, and try the delicious crockpot recipe below
Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock Pot
Equipment
- crock pot
Ingredients
- 8 Chicken Thighs with the bone, skin removed
- 28 oz Tomatoes crushed or diced, from a can or fresh
- 1/2 Red Bell Pepper sliced into strips
- 1/2 Onion large, sliced
- 1 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1 Bay Leaf
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup Fresh Herbs such as basil or parsley for topping
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and black pepper and cook it in a pan for a few minutes.
- Place the cooked chicken in the slow cooker.
- In the same pan, sauté with Extra Virgin Olive Oil the red and green bell peppers (season with salt and pepper) and onion until golden brown. Add to the slow cooker.
- Add all the rest of the ingredients listed above. Give it a quick stir and cover.
- You can either set your crock pot to LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4 hours.
- When the timer beeps, remove lid and keep the crock pot on HIGH one hour to help the sauce thicken if it is watery.
- Serve with rice or pasta.
11. Limit activities and family outings to only a few days a week
Activities and experiences are important for children. However, so is that genuine, innocent, imaginary play that is unprompted by others! Our kids are only young once, and they only have one childhood – so give them a good one!
Discover the importance of play, and how trading activities for more play time can be beneficial for the entire family
12. Screen time has to be earned
Screen time should be earned through chores and/or quiet time spent reading or coloring. Note – Quiet time helps the day to feel simpler
Discover the importance of a home library
13. Laundry Strategy
Come up with a laundry routine and strategy that works for you!
Discover and try this simple laundry system
14. Declutter and simplify your life instantly
Physically touch every object in your house and ask yourself “Does this serve a purpose or bring me sentimental joy?” If not, get rid of it. Note – Having Less makes chores go by faster, reduces cleaning time, and is less for you to pick up and organize at the end of the day
Discover tips to get organized for every area of your home
15. Allow kids to help you with daily chores
It doesn’t always have to be for money, and it will give you more quality time together, examples – setting table, putting away laundry, etc.
Discover age appropriate chores, the benefits of teaching responsibility, and download free sticker charts below
16. Plan meals by the month
Finding a few key recipes that you can make on rotation, or picking a day to prep a bunch of food for the weeks ahead, can be extremely helpful!
Discover new recipes here, or try these tips and strategies for stress management
17. Stay out of stores
Not only does buying less help you to save more money, but it also saves on clutter.
Discover what questions you should ask before making a purchase in order to shop smart and shop simply
18. Toys!
Often times little toys and accessories for our children just equals more little toys and accessories for us to clean up. Consider instead saving money longer to buy a larger toy, or plan for a special treat/event, instead of so many little items/things.
Discover how to organize the toy room
19. Set up a Google Calendar
Or use an app that allows your whole family to work off of the same schedule.
Discover options for setting up a family calendar
20. Seek Advice
Listen to podcasts, watch YouTube videos, and read books that encourage minimalism and organization for additional tips.
Discover books on minimalism via our affiliate links below
For more on this topic, check out the full Simplify collection
