My dear Friends,

how is your day going so far? How is it today? Do you feel this sense of overwhelm as much as I do?

I, for my part, battled stress and exhaustion throughout much of my life. More than once, I wished for a magic wand to take obstacles out of my way so my life would become easier and more enjoyable.

But there came a day when I realised I did not need a magic wand. But rather, some changes to lead a more relaxed life. I had to simplify my life!

Do not fear; it is less spartan than you think. I do not talk about living in an empty home with bare walls, skipping travelling, staying in nice hotels or having bread and water instead of a meal in a Michelin Star restaurant.

Here are ten things to need to let go of first before your life will get easier.

The Simple Life

For a more effortless life and less stress, we need to let go of things that weigh us down without real value.

Let’s face it; it’s high time you remove all sorts of clutter, reject busyness and reduce stress. This is the only way to have a life. This does not mean a bland life-on the contrary.

There is one thing we need to accept: no matter how you twist or turn it, stress is an integral part of our existence. It’s never going to go away.  How you manage to reduce the effects on your health and overall quality of life matters. Even little changes in routine and thought patterns can make a huge difference.

But what does simple living mean? Rest assured, I am not talking about minimalism but the opposite of elaborate and complicated living. Simplicity has many meanings, like- opulent vs modern lifestyle. Yet it can also mean a decision to only engage with people or in social activities that promote well-being and happiness.

the benefits

Exploring and understanding the “why” of every life decision you make allows you to decide if it’s what you truly desire. Many people, including myself, choose an easy-going life because it limits stress and its effects on the body.

A simpler life empowers you to live on your own terms instead of being held hostage by the demands of things that aren’t needed to sustain life. Stripping away all the “noise” gives you more time to focus on self-care and the things that make you happy. 

There are plenty of benefits:

simplifying your life

Please let go of these ten things, and you will see a significant change in your life. I will start with the easiest and move to the more difficult. Start by removing the things that stress you out and weigh you down. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life. Some things might need a major mindset shift, and others will catapult you out of your comfort zone. But I promise it works, and you will enjoy a calmer life, be more efficient, and you`ll have more money in your bank account.

Stripping away all the “noise” gives you more time to focus on self-care and the things that make you happy.

The Duplicates

This is really easy! Take 2 hours or a day if it needs to be and collect all your duplicate items from measuring cups in the kitchen to lipsticks, mascara or brow pencils of the same colour and consistency to cashmere pullovers of the same colour and cut. Or the six pairs of brown loafers, of which you only wear one anyway, because they fit best. Remember, deciding what to wear requires mental energy better spent on other things.

Declutter your space

Clutter is any unnecessary thing that makes your space look disorderly or untidy. Toss everything that no longer serves any purpose, brings you joy, or adds value to your life. Make a plan and start with your wardrobe, from there do the rooms and do the kitchen last. Set a fixed time for every room to ensure you do not linger forever. I know this sounds hard but believe me, you will feel so relieved once you have done this.

Stop paying for services you do not use

Months or years pass before you realize you’re losing money on TV subscriptions or gym memberships you hardly ever use. Click the “unsubscribe” button and enjoy greater financial freedom by redirecting your money to things you’ll benefit from, like investing.

Limit social media

While a digital world has benefits, many of us have trouble managing how much and what type of information we consume. That’s because everything, good and bad, is right there in your face all day long. Social media might distract you from getting your work done and result in anxiety while hustling to meet deadlines. Be selective of what news or show you ingest, eliminating content that affects your emotional well-being.

Stop unhealthy coping habits

It’s not uncommon for people to cope with unhealthy or addictive behaviours without realizing the negative physical and mental health effects. Try cultivating positive coping habits such as yoga, meditation, or journaling to relieve stress and anxiety.

Stop Multitasking

If you stay up late in the name of “getting it all done” or constantly feel like you have to catch up, consider doing less. Have you considered that maybe it’s because there isn’t enough time to complete your tasks? Cut stress by limiting your daily commitments to essential matters and give yourself breathing space between tasks.

Let go of aspirational Items

It gets harder, I know, because you have to let go of some dreams and goals along with items. Throw out anything you own that you bought for a life you thought you wanted or once had. This might include ballgowns you once wore but are useless in your present life. The Armani suit you once bought for a job you don’t have anymore or won’t be pursuing. Or the golf kit or riding boots you bought because you thought it would be fun to learn but never actually got around to and never will. There may be many items in between too. These items distract you from the life you have now; even if you want to make changes, you can’t buy your way into them with extra stuff.

Avoid Overspending

Overspending is nothing else than a coping mechanism. So I could refer you to the headline in question. But I know that spending habits are really hard to break. Only think of the many times you felt guilty for spending money on impulse shopping. Start by keeping a journal and write down when/why you go on a spending spree. Second, start setting certain periods (i.e. one month) where you do not spend any money on clothes, shoes or whatever it is you do not need to survive. You`ll be surprised about the satisfaction and calm you feel once you reach your goal. To make it easier, imagine how much more pleasant your life is without your bad consciousness nagging you.

Ignore What other People think

I know this is hard as we all crave recognition and being accepted. But there is a difference between bowing to public opinion and making friends. Bear in mind that letting go of this habit will give you back the power to live the way you want. 

let go of Resentments

“Resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person will die.” All of that, holding on and being angry only hurts you. You don’t have to forgive and forget, but you don’t have to hurt yourself anymore either.

Take away

Simplify your life by removing the things that stress you and weigh you down. Give yourself permission to enjoy your life. You should show up for your life, be in your life and not just check pieces of it off your list each day. Stop proving yourself by what you accomplished and start noticing what it means to you. Be curious and be gentle with yourself!