It takes courage to admit there is the need to simplify our lives.
But I think that finding ways to live more simply is something that all of us can benefit from.
It may look different for folks.
For some, it may mean having fewer material things.
For others, it might mean spending less money.
It could be removing certain activities or relationships from your life.
However, we are creatures of habit.
Boy, do we like consistency and being comfortable.
Change is uncomfortable.
Change is what makes it so hard to simplify our lives.
But I can promise you that on the other side of being uncomfortable is freedom.
I had my first experience with this back in 2006.
I lived in New Zealand for 18 months, and I only had a suitcase and a large backpack.
I remember getting home and immediately thinking, “what is all this crap?!?”
I started tossing and selling.
But it took me living without it for over a year to realize that I didn’t even need it.
So let’s discuss some ideas that will allow you to get free and simplify.
Maybe, just maybe, we’ll even get a bit happier in the process.
Step #1: Toss, Sell, or Give and Feel Good About it
I know this is a tough one for most people.
“But what if I need it?” (I use this one too).
We have a one-year rule in our household.
If we haven’t used it in the last 12 months, it gets tossed, sold, or given.
We’ve never regretted this.
Not once.
With clothes, this can get a bit tricky, so I have a trick.
At the beginning of the year, I turn all of my hangers in the opposite direction.
As I wear an item, the hanger gets turned back around.
After 12 months, I know what hasn’t been worn.
Tossed. Sold. Given.
Another recent epiphany has allowed me to part more easily with items.
Let’s say I have a loveseat.
After two years, our child is now getting bigger, and we all want to sit on the furniture together.
We need a couch.
I paid $750 for that loveseat, but I’m seeing that I can only get $500 for it in my local resale market.
Many have a hard time with this as they don’t want to ‘lose’ $250.
But I’ve begun looking at it in a different light.
I just paid $125/yr for the right to use a couch.
I could even say I ‘rented’ it for $125 a year.
I can now take that $500 and get what we need for our family.
We’ll be happier because we’ll get to sit together.
It will be a refreshing change in our home, which also provides a positive internal feeling.
But you’re not always going to lose money.
Recently, I sold an antique leather chair (I loved that chair!) for $100.
I purchased it a year before that for $30.
I loved telling my wife, “Hey honey! I got paid like $6 per month to sit in that chair!”
She wasn’t as amused as me, but my point is that it can happen.
If you’re a savvy buyer, you can profit from these flips.
Enough about money.
Let’s move to time.
Step #2: Manage Your Time Properly
Time management is one area where there is always room for improvement.
If you don’t manage your own time, other things and people will.
The most interesting part is that if you are spending your time on things that you don’t value, your stress level will go up.
But if we can focus on spending time on things (and people) that we value, then you’ll get the benefits of simplifying life.
And don’t forget, this might not mean fitting everything in better.
It might mean cutting some things out of your life.
Step #3: Cut Down Distractions
Wikipedia defines it as ‘something that prevents someone from concentrating on something else‘.
This is a simple definition, but isn’t that what we’re going for here?
Yes, good things can become a distraction if it rules over other important things.
Anything good and healthy (like reading blogs) can become unhealthy if not done in an appropriate order of importance.
I feel that we are expected to be available.
In real estate, I’ll often get called, texted, and emailed within 3 minutes.
I’ve trained for nothing to be an emergency.
Just because you can be reached doesn’t mean you have to always be available.
In fact, I miss 95% of calls that I initially receive.
Because if I’m in the middle of a project (like writing this article), then stopping to take a phone call is a distraction.
[Unless it’s my wife calling back to back — that means it’s important!].
We’ve never been more ‘available’ in history.
It’s something to think about.
Step #4: Establish Some New Routines
It’s challenging to begin doing new things – or stop doing things that you’ve been doing.
You’ve got to create new habits.
It will take time.
Let’s say you want to wake up 30 minutes earlier every day to have quiet time to focus and prepare for your day.
But you don’t like getting up early.
Wow, this is going to be hard.
That’s ok.
Maybe the first three days you snooze (which I’d recommend not doing — just move your phone across the room).
On day four you’re up, but it’s tough.
By day 14, you’re still getting up and disliking it, but somehow you’re doing it.
But having that early morning cup of coffee in a peaceful house is magic.
There’s something almost spiritual about seeing the sun sneak through the windows before the house stirs.
And that’s the part you fall in love with.
By day 30, it’s just what you do.
Congratulations, you’ve just formed an excellent new habit.
Conclusion
These are some of the proven tips you can use to simplify your life.
But don’t just read this article and go about your way.
Write down three things that you can start this week.
Let me know what you’re going to try – I’d love to hear about it.
And what are your favorite rules for living a more simple life?
Brooks is an entrepreneur, sponge, father, husband, & follower of the golden rule. He’s also addicted to starting new businesses and any food that includes chocolate and peanut butter. He’s a firm believer in creating multiple streams of income and creates content on his website to help other hustlers in the areas of entrepreneurship, marketing, and personal finance.
Erin shows overscheduled, overwhelmed women how to do less so that they can achieve more. Traditional productivity books—written by men—barely touch the tangle of cultural pressures that women feel when facing down a to-do list. How to Get Sh*t Done will teach you how to zero in on the three areas of your life where you want to excel, and then it will show you how to off-load, outsource, or just stop giving a damn about the rest.
Thank for sharing this helpful information. everyone shoulsd follow these tips.
When struggling with mental health, sometimes I find it hard to find a place to start when trying to fix and improve things. I appreciate these steps, as they give an idea of where to first focus your attention when you want to get better.
I have read your article which is user friendly and useful for the users. Now in the days of COVID-19, you should keep saving yourself and your family.
There are many Valve Buyers Companies all over the world, S and L Surplus is one of them.
S and L Surplus has been in business for nearly 20 years and we are the finest Industrial Equipment Buyers in the Houston, Texas area
S and L Surplus
A great piece of information I must say. Thak you so much for sharing this with us
Hello. I think it’s pretty easy to be happy. You need to do what you love, surround yourself with good people and take care of your health. Regarding the latter, https://www.discountedlabs.com/ will help you with this, they constantly help me to monitor my health and the health of my family.
Our mental health often depends on our physical health. That is why it is necessary to take care of your body and soul at the same time. I try to take some additional health supplements to stay healthy. By the way, you can click here to visit UK Meds for free. It is an online pharmacy with affordable prices.
Hi! This post could not be written any better!
Trina Solar has a wide range of https://sunnightsolar.com/trina-solar-panels-review/ products for every building and necessity. If you are in need of panels for your home, or commercial and large utility-scale ones, Trina has the answer. By using the latest tested technology, like bifacial, half-cell designs, and the premium N-Type monocrystalline cells, they are able to produce top solar panels. In Trina Solar panels reviews, we particularly focus on five series of PV products.
Great post. First I appreciate you very much for sharing your thoughts with us. I read our post thoroughly and I must say that the post provides amazing information. You are doing great work by sharing such information with us. Keep sharing such types of posts as they are very beneficial for us. k12 email address.
Amazing post. First I appreciate you very much for the great work you are doing. I read your post thoroughly and the post conveys very informative content. It is very beneficial for us. I hope other people also like your post. Keep posting such information with us. bemanning sjuksköterska.
Related information and best selection of words really thanks for share it.
I read your post thoroughly and I must say that the post provides very useful information. I loved it so much. You are doing great work by sharing such content with us, Keep posting such types of posts as they are very useful for us. I have also a website on We buy valves.
This post looks amazing. Great work
I have read your article, I have found a lot of information in it, which is why I have benefited so much. Thanks for supporting it.
That post is really informational for me.Such a great work.
Wow, these tips to become happier are simply amazing! Cutting down on distractions is my favorite. I think most people focus on the things they don’t have and that’s the reason for their unhappiness. As Romans 12:12 states, Be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, faithful in prayer.
Goodness, these tips to become more joyful are absolutely astounding! Eliminating interruptions is my top pick. I think the vast majority center around the things they don’t have and that is the justification behind their misery. As Romans 12:12 states, Be happy in trust, patient in affliction, devoted in supplication.
에볼루션코리아
726nZEiWf’*(
에볼루션카지노
580MfGUhm{*(
에볼루션바카라
390POOBCa&{<
에볼루션룰렛
622AlHukx$<^
에볼루션블랙잭048hcQWUH)%,
one of the best blogs I have seen today. graet work
This is a great read. Thank you for sharing this.
its very interesting blog i really like this good job and keep it up.
Amazing article. First of all, thank you very much for the excellent work you do. I carefully read your post, and it has a lot of useful information. It is really advantageous to us. I hope other people enjoy your post as well. Continue sharing this information with us.
Thanks for sharing the post.
강남카지노바강남카지노,강남카빠
You did create something very wonderful for us, after all. I spend a lot of time online looking for it. I came here to check out your website and the articles after learning about them from a buddy. Please visit my website and leave comments.
rs radio transmitter Rs-Radio provides the lowest prices available on equipment for Radio Broadcasting and Audio Recording，fm transmitter supplier，equipment for radio broadcasting manufacturer.
fm transmitter 50 watt Rs-Radio provides the lowest prices available on equipment for Radio Broadcasting and Audio Recording，fm transmitter supplier，equipment for radio broadcasting manufacturer.
This story demonstrates the author’s true abilities, demonstrates his understanding of the subject, and
demonstrates how hard he works to impart his best information.
great article First of all, I want to express my gratitude for the fantastic work you do. Your post is quite informative, and I attentively read it. We really benefit from it. I hope others find your post to be interesting. Please keep giving us this information.
This story piqued my curiosity and aided in my quest for knowledge, making it incredibly intriguing. I
hope you’ll be publishing more posts about this topic.
I just came to this site when looking for some fascinating blogs. This blog has helped me learn more. It is a quality blog.
I visited other websites while hunting for the same article. I’m happy to see that you wrote with such
grace. Aim for the best.
Gartnerei Berlin Reinickendorf
Technoblade official online storefront offering authentic and brand approved merchandise and products. Technoblade Merch is the merchandise for fans by fans. We are #1 Technoblade Apparel & Collectibles.
fm transmitter Fmyxht provides the lowest prices available on equipment for Radio Broadcasting and Audio Recording，fm transmitter supplier，equipment for radio broadcasting manufacturer.
fm transmitter 50 watt
Fmyxht provides the lowest prices available on equipment for Radio Broadcasting and Audio Recording，fm transmitter supplier，equipment for radio broadcasting manufacturer.
rs transmitterFmyxht provides the lowest prices available on equipment for Radio Broadcasting and Audio Recording，fm transmitter supplier，equipment for radio broadcasting manufacturer.
Technoblade Merch online storefront offering authentic and brand approved merchandise and products. Technoblade Merch is the merchandise for fans by fans. We are #1 Technoblade Apparel & Collectibles.
Nice post
First of all I would like to thank you for the wonderful information you have shared with us. I read your
complete blog and I must say that the blog provides a lot new and very useful information which proves to
be very helpful to us. Keep sharing Such type of content with us.
This story shows the real skills of the author and it shows that the writer has good command over the
topic and he tries his best to deliver his best knowledge.
After reading this article. It contained a lot of useful information, and I also suggested that several of my
friends read.
I appreciate how this article was written with full of impressive words. I have learned more information after reading this. Big thanks for sharing this informative article.
강남카지노강남오프라인카지노.강남사설카지노 이벤트안내~~!!
Revenge Official Clothing Store + XXX Tentacion Clothing Store,You can buy Official Hoodies, T-Shirts,Jackets,Long Sleeves and More.
This story demonstrates the author’s true abilities, demonstrates his understanding of the subject, and
demonstrates how hard he works to impart his best information.
深圳外贸网站制作公司,古格西森外贸网站建设网络公司提供多种服务,wordpress网站制作,外贸营销型网站,b2b网站,外贸电商网站,ntf,投资网站等,古格西森提供深圳外贸网站建设服务。
Thanks for the post and great tips.https://allyproperties.pk/societies/blue-world-city
It’s a much-needed escape from the ordinary.
Best site to buy corteiz clothing
Kudos to Range Rover for consistently pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation. Their commitment to excellence truly shines through in every model.”