A Simple Life

 Do you ever crave a simple life? One without so many arbitrary demands and hectic schedules? It seems life has sped up and only seems to be moving faster. This is something that's started to eat away at me...my soul longs for something different, something calmer and more meaningful.

The typical lifestyle today is one of constant busyness and fatigue. People are running in 10 different directions, multitasking and trying to keep an impossible pace...and for what? With all that busyness, their lives are usually lacking what's most meaningful. It left me questioning, "Is this the only way to live now?"

I've come to realize that no, it's not the only way. We have the choice to create the lifestyle we want and don't have to give in to the cultural norm. We can choose simplicity instead of complicated, slow over fast-paced, less not more, priorities over multi-tasking and joy over fatigue.

Here are a few practical steps to take in the direction of simplicity:

1. LESS IS MORE

Clutter has a proven effect of making people feel more overwhelmed. Our brains are cluttered when we see too much going on around us. 

Action Step: Let go of anything that doesn't bring you joy or isn't useful. Start with one area (i.e. office or bedroom) and begin thinking to yourself, "What is essential for me to have in here? What do I truly love?" If you ever think, "Well I kind of like it" or "I may use it at some point" just let it go. The more you let go of, the more room you have for what really brings you joy. This step alone has brought me so much more calm, freedom and clarity. Once you start, it's almost addictive...I've gone on to use this method with clothes, apps, and almost anything you can think of :)

2. KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES

This is an essential step to creating the lifestyle you want. If you don't know your priorities, how can you live an intentional life?

Action Step: Write down your top 5 priorities. This will be your filter for all the decisions you make in your life :)

3. SAY NO

We sometimes feel that we have to say yes to everything, when really our lives are so much better when they are filled with the things that are TRULY important & meaningful to us. As we let go of the unnecessary commitments, we find more time and freedom for what matters to us!

Action Step: Say no to anything that doesn't line up with your priorities. Be intentional with how you fill your time. This is your life, and you can choose how to live it :)

4. STOP MULTITASKING

We are not meant to do a million things at once. Our brains are made to focus on one thing at a time. Many times we do something in a distracted, not fully present way because we are doing two things at once (i.e. watching tv while on our phones, listening to someone while texting, etc.). We are so much more focused, calm and able to give our best effort when we do one thing at a time.

Action Step: Practice doing one thing at a time

5. HAVE A SHORTER TO DO LIST

This comes back to your priorities. Try to only have things on your list that are TRULY priorities. People are SO much more motivated to tackle a list when it's short and concise rather than long and vague. Usually once you accomplish one task, it motivates you to do more! If you start with an overwhelming list, it defeats you before you even start.

Action Step: Download Any.Do or create your own to do list with only 3 tasks a day. I love Any.Do because it is such a simple, straightforward format without a lot of complicated stuff :) You can easily write down things when they come into your head and slide them into the today, tomorrow, upcoming or someday slot. That way, you never forget the task you were thinking of, but can easily put it out of mind until you're ready to plan your day. The app also links to your calendar, so the tasks for the day will show up in list format next to your events for the day :) P.S. Always keep tasks and events separate :)

Let me know if you have already tried or decide to try one of these tips! Tell me what worked and what didn't for you. I love hearing feedback and any new thoughts or ideas you have! I hope you're able to get one step closer to your simple life :)


~Katie