Simplifying Your Home And Life * Spotlight My Health

Have you ever pondered what it would mean to start “simplifying your home and life”? My husband and I have recently been thinking about this. We will have to be making some decisions in the next year or two. He is older and will be retiring sometime in the next year, I believe. Or so he says—LOL.

That means we may be looking at a move which is something we have wanted for a long time. When we moved to the DC metro area, we had planned on only staying for maybe five years. Which turned into 10 and then 15 and so forth.

I think this is the opportune time to start downsizing. Then I thought we may as well change the way we are doing several things. So, I began looking at what the differences are between minimalist living and just simplifying your life.

“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

WHAT DOES SIMPLIFYING MEAN?

“Minimalism is all about living with less. This includes less financial burdens such as debt and unnecessary expenses like a smaller living space according to Money Under 30. But is it really as easy as just getting rid of your stuff in order to simplify your home and life?

The philosophy is about getting rid of excess stuff and living life based on experiences rather than worldly possessions. You can probably see how having less things can also free up your life financially.

For some, living with less also means living in a smaller home—less stuff, less costs, etc., therefore, much less stress.

Then there is the philosophy of “simplifying” your life. This means planning in advance for things such as meals, in order to purchase only what you need. Again, less stuff takes up less space and has less impact on your finances.

Simplifying = Decluttering

Simplifying also means decluttering. Going through all your possessions and actually getting rid of what you don’t need, don’t use, doesn’t fit, is out of date—well you get the picture.

Some advantages to making these changes in your life:

Be free from financial worry
More time for yourself and your family
Get rid of clutter that doesn’t add value to your life
Spend more on experiences rather than stuff
Sense of accomplishment
Be happier and less stressed
Go green

Is Minimalizing For You?

Now, I know I couldn’t go all out and go the minimalist route, so for me to even try would be fruitless. And since I’m the most organized in my family, I’m even more sure that the other three members of my family would just laugh if I asked about going minimalistic.

But I’m all for simplifying. I have started out on a journey to simplify things in our home and with my family over the next six months. Hubby is on board, but the kids just raised their eyebrows.

Following are items that are suggestions for simplifying your home and life. Many of these suggestions I’m already doing. I just didn’t realize that what I started several years ago comes under the heading of “simplifying your life”.

I think each of us can pick and choose what works for our family and what doesn’t or how much simplifying you want to do.

**PAPER CLUTTER

I actually started going through 30 years-worth of collected papers last year and it took months, I have to admit.

When hubby realized what I was doing, he got in on it. Now all the paperwork we need to keep has been scanned and filed on pc’s and flash drives which makes it much easier to get to.

Going forward, any paperwork we have coming in, we scan right away, file it and shred the paper.

**SIMPLIFY YOUR WARDROBE AND SHOP ONLINE

I’ve started going through my drawers and closet, Although I’m not done, I have to say, I had NO idea how much I had. Good grief, I’m not finished and I’ve filled six bags full of unwanted clothes that I’ll donate.

Before I’m finished, I’m hoping to go through what I “think” is the end result and then go through it again. The last time, I’m going to use a capsule wardrobe list and see what I can put together according to the list. I went to Pinterest and found a wardrobe that I think will work for me. You can find it here.

I tend to get bored with what I wear and I’m sure that is why I have so much, but I want to put the cabash on that. Having said that—I like the idea of shopping online to get what I may need to round out my wardrobe. This should help to make sure my impulse to buy that pair of shoes I just passed, doesn’t actually happen! To shop online, I will only be looking up what I truly need.

**WAKE UP EARLIER

Now, before about six months ago, I would not have been able to do this one. I’m not a morning person. I always tended to get up at the last minute giving myself just enough time to get ready for work and fly out the door.

During the beginning of the pandemic, I was able to work from home for about six weeks. I still got up at my usual time for work, but I didn’t have an hour-long commute. Instead, I sat and read with my coffee, or planned out my day or worked on my blog.

It really made a difference to what I got accomplished during the day and how I felt. And low and behold, I actually felt more awake by the time I started working, which is something I didn’t expect.

I’m back to work now and I still get up early enough to sit in peace with my coffee and my Bear (our miniture poodle). It’s so much better than not giving myself enough time in the morning and having to fly out the door to get to work on time.

**WORK OUT A WEEKLY MEAL PLAN AND DO THE PREP

Doing this helps in several ways. First your wallet won’t feel so light because you only buy what you need to make the meals you planned out for the week. Second, there is no racking your brain everyday trying to come up with something for dinner. And three, taking an hour a week and get the prepping out of the way frees up time throughout your week and shortens meal preparation.

And before I forget—make a list. Make a list of the ingredients you need for the coming week and only shop from that list. This helps your wallet and lessens the time spent doing the shopping.

Tip: If you don’t like coming up with a weekly or bi-weekly meal plan yourself, check out pinterest. There are plenty out there already made up for you. Easy, peasy. And keep the weekly menus you made up to be used again or to give you ideas when you come up with nothing.

Want to simplify, but don’t know where to start? Get my checklist and you’ll be well on your way to having a more organized home and life!

**SIMPLIFY YOUR FINANCES/GET OUT OF DEBT

This is one thing that really plays havoc with your brain. When we have more debt than I’m comfortable with, I can’t stand it and worry takes over. So, I actually avoid that from happening; almost at all cost. Here again, you need to make a plan and then stick to it. Even just $20 or $25 a week can make a difference within one year’s time. For more ideas on how to set-up a budget, see my post on budgeting.

One of the easiest ways to get out of debt is to set things up either yourself within your banking system for payments to be made on time every month or set your bills up to automatically be paid.

**STOP BUYING STUFF

I know I’m guilty of this and my vanity and closet are proof. I have way too much make-up that I don’t use, way too much clothing and I’m a sucker for shoes.

How many plastics do we need in our kitchens or tools in the toolbox? And go through all chachkies you have sitting around. Do you really need them all to make your home feel cozy? Take the leap and start donating these things if you can’t toss them. It’s better for you and better for someone that really needs what you are giving up. Win/Win for both.

**UNSUBSCRIBE

OMG! I can’t tell you how many emails I get a day. And just recently someone managed to hack my email and signed me up for all kinds of sites, even in languages I don’t know. Luckily, I caught it almost immediately and changed passwords, but I’m still unsubscribing from lists I seem to be on.

Anyway, just my normal mail takes up way too much time so occassionally I go through and hit the unsubscribe buttons. It makes a big difference for several months and then needs to be done again.

**SET TIME LIMITS FOR MEDIA (including email)

This includes time spent going through email. Between email, texts and facebook—dang can time fly by! If you can’t give these things up totally, use the timer on your phone and set a time limit of say 15 minutes. Use the 15 minutes to get through email, be on facebook or texting and then you are done for the day. Don’t let these things rule your life—remember, you are the boss!

**DECLUTTER YOUR SCHEDULE/CALENDAR (Say “No” more Often)

I know, I know, saying “No” can be really hard at times, especially if it’s your kids, friends or family. But remember, if someone wants you to do something for them on Wednesday evening and it’s your self-care time, then your schedule is truly already full.

Or bake cookies for the class next week, but you’ve got something else scheduled at the time you would be making the cookies—then your answer needs to be no. Don’t put off what you already have planned with your family because you want to be “nice” to someone else.

**DECLUTTER YOUR HOME/CLOSETS

Here again, I know me, and I get bored very easily. So this is not something I will take on for a whole Saturday, for instance, and just “get her done”.

Instead, I will decide on what one or two rooms a month I will go through along with one or two closets. It may take me several months; but doing it this way allows me to continue doing other things that I want to do—like write my blog 😊.

**DELEGATE TASKS

Don’t be afraid to let other members of your family help with tasks that need to be done on a daily or weekly basis. Give up some of your control and realize that those helping will never really do something the same as you and that’s OK. It’s OK for them and OK for you. Just chill and be realistic with expectations on yourself and your family members.

**REMEMBER YOUR SELF-CARE

I know how we all can put ourselves on the back burner, but self-care is what will contribute to you being able to take better care of your family. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but give it 10 minutes daily for a few weeks and see how you feel. I recently did a post on self-care that may help to understand it a little bit better.

**BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT YOUR TIME AND WHO YOU SPEND THAT TIME WITH

This falls kinda along the same lines as our “media” and emails, etc. Many of us have very busy lives and if you are one of those, take the time and determine what friends and family members you actually want to spend your time with. Don’t spend your precious time with someone that deflates you or spends their time arguing or complaining. This is bad energy and who needs it bringing you down for the rest of your day. Take care of you and be intentional in doing so.

**PRIORITIZE

Decide today what 3 things are really, truly priorities that need to be done tomorrow. Knowing this ahead of time cuts down on the stress the next day when you are being pulled in different directions. You’ll know what to say no to and then what you definitely want to accomplish.

And once those three items are checked off your list—how good will you feel!!

AN APP THAT CAN HELP YOU SIMPLIFY

There is an app that I have recently discovered. It’s absolutely wonderful and a huge help in getting and staying organized. Trello’s concept is based on a project management system which “lets you open a board for each area of your home and life. It’s Trello.

And then you can add checklists to those boards, instructions on how to do something, links to articles on the web–just about anything you can think of. It’s great for running a household. In essence, you can set-up a game plan and instead of having to try and remember everything, you just enter info into Trello.

There is a free version and also a paid version with more capability.

Don’t let this list of “simplyfing items” scare you into doing nothing. Number the list in the order of importance for you and your family and then pick 2-3 things at a time to put into place. Remember simplifying doesn’t mean causing stress, it’s to design a plan that fits your lifestyle to get rid of the stress.