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7 Free Ways to Simplify Your Life This Week

When life gets crazy, you might find it helpful to practice some of these free ways to simplify your life.

On hectic days, I sometimes have to take a deep breath and remind myself to slow down, take a little break, and make space for peace and calm.

Here are 7 ways to simplify life this week:

A couple walking on a dirt path with a dog.

1. Tidy Your Phone Screen

Delete any unused applications from your phone. You can also group similar apps into dedicated buttons if you like.

Because we tend to look at our phones so often, this simple task of decluttering the screen can help you feel more organized.

While you’re at it, update your phone screen wallpaper with a peaceful image or a favorite photo.

2. Empty the Change from Your Pockets or Purse

You’ll not only travel lighter, you might be pleasantly surprised at how small amounts add up over time (especially if you get in the habit of paying cash for small purchases).

As our coins accumulated we’ve deposited them at the credit union for five years, and the account recently reached $500 – the minimum amount to buy a CD, so our ‘spare change’ now earns a higher rate of interest. (Along the same lines, you might also like the simple $5 Bill Savings Plan.)

If you have a few extra minutes, declutter your purse or wallet. Remove any old expired insurance cards, papers, receipts, etc.

3. Cook a Double Batch of Dinner, and Freeze Half

You’ll hardly expend any more more time or energy cooking a double portion, and you’ll have a nice dinner all ready for a future busy night.

I like to make a double batch of our easy Italian meatballs, which freeze really well.

Here’s how to freeze meals properly to preserve the food quality.

4. Organize One Space

If a journey begins with a single step, choose just one shelf or drawer to declutter this week and enjoy the instant gratification of an uncluttered space.

I have used the KonMari method of folding to organize a t-shirt drawer and our dishtowels in a kitchen drawer. Once it’s done, it’s easy to maintain and I always feel glad when I open those drawers and see the neat rows.

5. Write in a Gratitude Journal

close up of a woman writing in a gratitude journal with a pen.

If you’re like me, you have a couple of unused journals lying around that were given as gifts. Grab one, or a notebook or even index cards and jot down three things you’re grateful for today.

Writing in a gratitude journal and focusing on the positive is a wonderful way to start and end the day, and and always helps me stay mindful of the abundance we have.

6. Deal with 10 Pieces of Paper Every Day

Take a paper off the stack;  act on it, file it or toss it. In a week, your paper stack will be 2 inches shorter.

Keep up the habit for a month, and you’ll have 300 less papers lying around. Just don’t let any new papers wander in!

7. Take a Walk

Refresh your mind, observe the world, and get some fresh air and exercise to boot. Take the dog along and you’ll both reap benefits!

What are your favorite free, easy ways to simplify? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas. Drop a comment below!

About Eliza Cross

Eliza Cross is the author of 17 books, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon. She shares ideas to simplify cooking, gardening, time and money. She is also the owner of Cross Media, Inc. and founder of the BENSA Bacon Lovers Society.

30 thoughts on “7 Free Ways to Simplify Your Life This Week”

  1. I took a walk this morning to the grocery store, then emptied my change into the money jar. I will write in my gratitude journal this evening. Item #1- I am grateful for Eliza’s friendship!

    Reply
  2. Nice looking blog-site – simple, clear cut.

    Pat me on the back; I’ve been doing that cooking thing consistently for years.

    Congratulations on the new blog.

    Donna

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  3. OMG I feel better already and I have done none of your great suggestions-yet! But I will.
    Well, have a really good run today, and am about to empty my change-it’s heavy too!

    I think I recognize that adorable boy!

    As with everything you do, Eliza, this has great style, substance and artistry.

    Reply
  4. I want to know how I can move to the place the ocean wallpaper picture was taken!!
    My battle to simplify involves keeping a box next to the dresser in my bedroom for charity items. Any time there is a question about keeping something, or I’m cleaning out a drawer, or pull something out of the closet that I haven’t worn since before I had gray hair, or . . . into the box it goes. Everytime a charity calls for a pickup I say “yes” and out goes the whole box. someday I hope to actually be getting rid of more things than I’m bringing in, but until then, I feel like I’m at least making a stab at fighting back!

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  5. Congrats on the new blog. It’s beautiful. Love this post.

    I’m learning to make pasta from scratch in big batches so that I can freeze some. I’d been fooling myself with “store bought” is just fine, but I finally made a real batch of pasta with homemade sauce (like my gram made) the other day, and MAN! there is a huge difference.

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  6. Happy Blog Warming! Glad you have a new and spacious place for your words.

    I love gratitude journals! So glad to see you sharing this. Have fun writing here.

    Always hoping the BEST for you,
    Mj

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  7. Such helpful reminders, Eliza – thank you. I just got back from my River Writing & Sculpting Journey and am always reminded how simple life on the river can be, allowing time to breathe in the sunrise, or fall asleep counting stars under a milky way blanket. So thank you again for these reminders.

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  8. Beautiful new blog, Eliza! And these are wonderful suggestions, keep them coming! I’m going to clean up my work area right this minute.

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  9. All I want to do is default to #7. Already did that once today, so I guess I better get to work on that paperwork. Hubby has been home, and my desk is a disaster – about 100 pieces of paper!!! Oh, what the heck…I’m going for a walk instead 🙂 Thanks for the tips Eliza!

    Reply
  10. Hi Eliza, I love this! I used to subscribe to a publication called Real Simple, and I have missed it for a long time. I agree with some of your other reader’s comments–I feel simplified already!

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  11. Marian,
    Real Simple is a great magazine, and another favorite is Natural Home for ideas about sustainable living. Thanks for your comments!

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  12. hi I just found your blog. Love it! Great ideas! I am working on no spending in January 2011! I have a stock pile of “pantry” items and can’t wait to see what I come up with!

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  13. I really like the “10 paper” strategy. My paper multiplies while I sleep, so maybe I can outsmart it! 🙂

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  14. Pingback: The $5 Bill Savings Plan | Happy Simple Living
  15. we have a worm box where all vegetable trimmings and any leftovers go, and the red wigglers make it all into gorgeous compost. taking that a step further, i’ve started saving all those scraps in a container in the freezer, and when I get enough to fill a slow cooker (usually about once a week) I put it in the cooker with water to fill and let it simmer on low overnight. the resulting strained vegetable broth is wonderful as a base for soups, for cooking rice, etc. and once the strained-out veg bits have cooled, they then go to the worm box.

    Reply

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