Whether you live on a farm or in the city, there are ways that you can simplify your life and live with less stress and more of those good old fashioned values. Sometimes it can be hard to keep your pace when everything else moves so fast, but it is definitely a fight worth fighting.
I found an article on Little House Living this week called 14 Steps Towards Simpler Living, and I absolutely agree with all of it and wanted to share some of the points that really caught my attention. A lot of these things I already do on a daily basis, while others I’m still working on (old habits die hard) but I feel they are all absolutely necessary.
Create a routine – having a routine for the mornings or right when you get home from work can greatly help reduce the hectic, crazy rush of life in general and can help you stay calm and organized.
Declutter – Most of those things you have, you really don’t need. When I moved last time I donated about eight boxes of random things that I had simply accumulated over time, and I don’t regret it in the slightest! Having a clean, open, organized space will help you feel less stressed and will promote mental health.
Clean as you go – Instead of letting things pile up to the point where it is too terrible to even contemplate, clean up the little things as they happen. Wash dishes as you’re cooking, and pick up things as you move about the house, placing them in their proper place. These little tips can really reduce the mess and make life much easier.
Make a meal plan – At the beginning of the week or pay period, sit down and plan out meals for the full week and write it down. Tack it to the fridge and whenever it’s time for supper, you can just pick something from the list and make it–no stress! As a bonus, you can also make a grocery list at the same time to cut down on time.
Take walks – To me, there isn’t anything more relaxing than taking a long walk. It’s time to get away from everything and just enjoy nature for a bit.
Remove negativity – This point is the biggest one for me. Removing things that are negative can completely change your life. You’ll be amazed at how much excess stress you can avoid from stepping away from people or situations that are extremely negative. It’s not always possible, but when it is, don’t hesitate!
Know when to go without – My budget is extremely tight, so sometimes towards the end of the month, I will find myself substituting ingredients in cooking and repairing things and finding more creative solutions instead of buying new things. Doing this can not only save you money, but also help you appreciate what you have and make you feel better about yourself for solving a problem with things at hand.
Find non-electronic hobbies – It amazes me how many people don’t know what to do without all of their gadgets and gizmos. If you don’t have some hobby that you can engage in without electricity or batteries, then go find one and learn something new! I have a hard time relaxing around electronics, so a good cross stitch or an engaging book is just what I need to unwind some nights.
Be sure to hop over to Merissa’s blog to check out the original list, which has even more essential ideas for how to make life simple and enjoyable without too much effort! What other things do you do to simplify your life? Let me know in the comments, or join us in the forums!
Margy says
Good suggestions. One thing I need is the opportunity to relax without schedules that are overly stressful. While routines work well to a degree, there’s nothing like being spontaneous and making the most of every moment without guilt. – Margy
Liz E. says
Thanks Margy! And I agree… spontaneity can sometimes be exactly what you need to get out of the humdrum daily routine. Thanks for reading!
Candi says
Clean as you go is a life saver.
If I could just get the kiddos to do this too my life would change!