20 Ways To Live A More Simple Life

The allure of living a slow and simple life draws most of us from time to time, yet we can’t seem to slow down and just live each moment. We are so busy we do not have time to simply relax and enjoy the life we have. We say we have priorities, somehow everything else comes first. When do we actually stop and focus on the things that matter? Often when it’s too late, and our friends have moved on, our children are grown, and years have passed. Suddenly the big empty house and exciting career that never loved you back seem rather irrelevant. Maybe it’s time to simplify life and get back to the basics- what really matters- for a happier, fuller life.

Living a Simple Life

• Create a daily routine and stick to it. Try not to let low priority things throw you off course.
• Get up 30 minutes earlier so that you do not rush, get a ticket while driving too fast, have to explain why you’re late, get fired. Don’t overschedule yourself so you can’t sit down for a moment, or even sleep.
• Never try to read other people’s minds or assume you know what they are thinking.
• Create a budget and stick to it…few things are worth the stress and worry of debt.
  Actually, nothing is.
• Don’t try to be friends with everyone. Choose your friends wisely and work on building up those relationships. Drop friends you can’t trust. Simplify life by cutting out complicated or difficult relationships.
• Know what your priorities are in life, and act as if they are your priorities. Leave work at work for a more simple and relaxed life, and try not to spend more than 8 hours a day at your job (unless that is your priority).
• Focus on being a good person, not on pleasing others.
• Say no, without apology or explanation. You do not owe your sacred time to anyone.
• When you have a difficult decision to make, ask yourself what decision you’ll wish you had made when you look back in 20 years.
• Make a weekly menu, and shop for only those items at the market. Plan simple, healthy meals.
• Simplify life by keeping chores simple and possessions few. Clean your house weekly so it doesn’t pile up. Buy all white towels and bed sheets- they are easy to bleach. If you have two of something, keep the better one and donate or toss the other.
• Say “I love you” to your significant other and to your children every day. It keeps marriages strong and builds self-esteem in children.
• Watch less TV and read less magazines. Not only do they waste time, but the whole point of their existence is to advertise to you and take your money.
• Don’t procrastinate. Do it now. At least start.
• Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see, because you may not know the full story or the motivation of the informant, and appearances are deceiving.
• Don’t look at what others have and envy them, or waste time on what ifs…focus on what is and be grateful.
• Be courteous with your neighbors and co-workers. This will simplify your life in many ways.
• Don’t waste time helping people who are ungrateful, refuse to help themselves, or are unkind to others.
• Keep your wardrobe and hairstyle simple so they aren’t a big focus in your life. Wear fabrics, styles, and colors that flatter you and always look good, but require minimal upkeep, for a more simple life and daily routine.
• When something is over, let it go.