10 Ways to Simplify Your Life — and Enjoy It!
Enjoy the simple things in life this summer. I think that’s the beauty of summer vacation — while you may still have a few responsibilities, you can pretty much enjoy everything else. That’s life. A constant go-go-go and some internal pressure to do all the things. Work work. Cleaning, cooking, errands. More, more, and more. To sit back a little and let some of that vacation-attitude seep into our everyday lives. Every once in awhile it’s nice to ask yourself if you really have to check off all 20 things on your to-do list. Do you really have to have your house decorated in a Pinterest-worthy manor? Are you scared to have some friends over for a play date because you haven’t thought of the perfect theme or prepared the most creative toddler-friendly snacks? And what about stuff — are you constantly buying new things, yet have nowhere to put the thousand homeless toys already scattered in your living room (no matter how many times a day you pick them up)? Sometimes we focus so much on the “to do” of daily life that we forget the big picture. We put so much effort into trying hard that we miss the part when we actually get to enjoy what we’ve worked so hard for. Maybe this summer, instead of packing everything into an arbitrary bucket list, we stop and scale back a little bit. Simplify. Cut the stress by cutting the clutter. As an added bonus, people with less clutter have been shown to eat healthier. End the comparison
Break up with Pinterest and over-the-top Instagram accounts if you can’t stop comparing your life to unachievable standards. And heck, even in the rare instance they are, it doesn’t take anything away from your life just by being out there. Nobody in real life cares if your windows are sticky with tiny finger prints or your hair’s in the same braid it was in the day before. Stop wasting time
That sounds like a dumb one, but how many times a day do you think to yourself, “If only I had more time”? Well, make more time. Check email twice a day instead of every time your phone beeps or flashes. All those little wasted moments can add up to a really big chunk of time for something more important. 4. Stop trying to pack your schedule
It’s summer! Hook up a sprinkler to the hose in your backyard and get out and play with your kids instead. Or build a fort out of picnic blankets or make a game on the sidewalk with chalk. 5. Does an elaborate, expensive date night make you happier than a cheap one? Focus more on the experience of doing things as opposed to buying something or paying a lot of money for something. You know how kids always seem to love the one toy that you didn’t actually intend to be a toy, like Tupperware or toilet paper rolls? It can be like that for pretty much everything in life. 6. Say no
Even if it’s something you’re interested in or feel like you should do, you don’t have to. There’s a season and a time for everything, and that time isn’t always now. Don’t feel guilty or like you’re letting someone down if you can’t say yes. 7. Be repetitive
Things don’t need to be new or creative to be fun and exciting. Play the same games or wear the same outfits over and over again — who cares?! Cut down on your morning beauty routine by going with a natural look or at a minimum, a pared-down routine. It’s amazing what a little BB cream and mascara can do without the rest of the fuss. Plus, it’s a great way to teach kids that there’s more to beauty than makeup — like confidence. 9. Stop aiming for perfection
This goes for all facets of life. 10. If you don’t get to all the other stuff, what have you lost anyways?
Now, what are you going to do with all that extra mental energy and happiness from your simplified life?
