10 Ways How to Simplify Life and Be Happy

The older I get, the more I realize that happiness comes from simplifying my life. If you’re reading this blog post, chances are you are looking to simplify your life as well. If you find yourself drowning in clutter, work, or personal commitments with no time for yourself, here are 10 ways how to simplify your life and regain your happiness:

1. Get Rid of Excess Clutter

One of the first steps to living a simple life is getting rid of clutter. The more things you have and the more clutter around you, will just add unnecessary stress and hassle to your every-day routine. Learn to get rid of clutter in your home to be better organized and in control.

An important thing to note is to not just get rid of what you already own, but stop bringing clutter into your household. I am guilty of buying things just because they are on sale even if I have nowhere to put it or no real use for it.

I like to pay off my credit cards and then take them out of my wallet so I am not tempted to use them again for unnecessary purchases. I also have a strict budget where I try not to buy things I don’t need; Amazon is my downfall here! A great way to not hear about sales is to unsubscribe from any marketing emails or newsletters you may receive from stores or from nearby promotions. It’s tough, but it can be done!

2. Only Say Yes to Meaningful Obligations

This one is complex, as a lot of us have obligations we must do even if we don’t feel like it. For example, we might have a work obligation or things with the family that we simply must attend. The trick to handling this one is to prioritize what you can handle, and learn to say no to anything else that is stretching you too thin.

Does your boss need someone to work extra and asked you? If you can’t handle it, be honest about it. With much prayer and understanding, hopefully you have a boss that understands your situation, and someone else that can cover for you.

Try to say “yes” to social events or family obligations that bring you joy. Part of having a simple life and learning to be happy is by doing things that are important to you. At the end of this life, all we truly have are our memories.

3. Take Time to Do Things You Enjoy

I cannot stress this enough – you unquestionably need to set time apart for self-care. Simplify your life by having moments to do things you enjoy. Whether it be traveling, spa dates with your girlfriends, more time with your children, or hobbies you relish, take time out for yourself without feeling guilty about it. (Although this is easier said than done.)

My biggest issue, especially as a mom, is not feeling selfish when I need a moment to myself. If you can try to remember this quote, “You can’t serve from an empty cup” it might help confirm your need for self-care. Simplify your life and find happiness by taking a breather for yourself in order to reset. Then you can give your best self to those around you.

4. Cut Out Toxic People

Controversial topic here – but I’m a strong believer in cutting out toxic people from my life. As a Christian, I believe in forgiveness. There are many reasons why forgiveness is good for you and your health. But just because you forgive someone, doesn’t mean they get a free-pass back into your life. Sorry not sorry!

Toxic people can be draining. They defy logic. Some people can be blissfully ignorant and unaware of the damage they do to you and your family. Dealing with toxic situations can expose you to massive stress. Studies show the long-term, everlasting, negative effects toxic people can have on your brain. This Harvard research proves toxic employees destroy culture in the workplace. It explains how feelings of danger and mistrust destroys organizations.

It’s essential to reassess who is in your inner circle, and make sure you surround yourself with compassionate, kind, and encouraging people. The bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals.”

5. Clean Out Your Email Subscriptions

Okay, maybe you’re not as OCD as I am, but I absolutely hate having hundreds of unread emails. Just seeing the notification on my phone makes my eye twitch. A way to simplify your life is to clean out your email subscriptions. Have you ever noticed how much time you waste going through emails? How much of that time is pure junk emails that aren’t relevant to you anymore?

When you have a moment, go through your emails and hit that “unsubscribe” link to as many irrelevant emails as possible. Hopefully, unwanted spam, newsletters, and annoying email marketing won’t make it to your inbox. Only subscribe to things that will make you happy and provide value to your life, like our monthly Bearfruit Basics Newsletter. (See what I did there?)

6. Donate or Sell Clothes You No Longer Wear

This advice of donating or selling your clothes is such a win-win. Not only do you get to clear out your closet and make room by de-cluttering, but someone less fortunate than you can get some neat clothes and up their fashion game.

Too many possessions complicate our lives. They can be a financial burden to us. If you can, go a step further and see what else you have laying around that you can donate or sell. Decluttering your life will help simplify it by taking out the energy and attention you spend on keeping everything organized and in order. I love the KonMari Method of cleaning. She has amazing tips on how to only keep things that bring you joy. I highly recommend you check it out!

7. Keep Healthy Snacks at Your Desk

Simplifying life also means evaluating your health. Take your daily vitamins and any subscription medicines you need to stay in optimal shape. Try to dedicate time to your health by making smart, nourishing choices when it comes to food. As a stay-at-home mom, I also work from home. I am guilty of snacking all day and, to be honest with you, I’m not the best at eating healthy foods.

An easy tip is to stack your desk, purse, or pantry with healthy snacks. Healthy snacks will give you energy to get through your day. If you meal prep, this is a great way of keeping life simple. Your whole family will benefit from meals that are planned out. Meal prepping improves your nutrition, allows you to make healthier choices, saves money and time, and most importantly, decreases stress so you can be happy!

I have a magnetic menu stuck to my fridge and, although I don’t prepare my meals in advance, I do prepare a weekly menu in advance. Then, I base my grocery shopping on what we will be eating every day. It helps keep me on track, and on budget.

8. Write To-do Lists

This is one of my favorite ways to simplify life. I undeniably adore lists. Whether it be with a pencil and paper, on your computer, smartphone, or even a scribble on a napkin: to-do lists are the bomb and I’m going to tell you why.

Not only does it help you stay organized, but it creates manageable goals so you don’t feel overwhelmed. You can take it a step further and delegate to people (kind reminder – it’s okay to ask for help). If you are a procrastinator (like me), you’ll be happy to know that to-do lists make you productive. To-do lists help you stay focused. It can be a stress reliever if you give yourself realistic deadlines and a doable timeframe of completion. Also, writing down your tasks ensure you won’t forget about it, therefore allowing you to relax more. So grab that notebook and make yourself a to-do list!       

9. Use Fewer Words

Remember the phrase, “Keep It Simple, Stupid”? (I’m sure you do). Challenge yourself to use fewer words: in your speech, in your email responses, etc. Learn to say what you mean by speaking plainly and honestly.

The bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” But what does this mean, exactly?

Here is another bible verse that might offer some clarity. In Matthew 12:36-37 it says: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

You might have well-intentioned words, but aim to speak purposefully. Simplify your life by letting your yes be yes, and your no be no (Matthew 5:37). Another valuable quote I love is “No is a full sentence”.

10. Reduce Your Screen Time

I am guilty of binge-watching episodes when I know I should be doing something way more productive. When you give your attention to movies, social media, television, or video games, this can affect your life more than you realize. Technology addiction is real, and although technology has some magnificent benefits, we can unfortunately develop an unhealthy attachment to it.

As we know, comparison is the thief of joy, and comparing our lives to movie storylines and pictures on Facebook and Instagram is extremely dissatisfying. Due to influencer culture, we are becoming more disgruntled with our own lives.

In order for us to protect our mental health online, we should establish healthy habits. Learn to disconnect by taking a break and detoxifying. You don’t have to completely quit, but limiting your screen time will be very rewarding for simplifying your life and learning to be happy.

What are some ways you simplify your life? Challenge yourself to embrace simplicity and live a happier, more meaningful life. If you found this article helpful, sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on our recent blog posts and be entered to win our giveaways.