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:
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
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!
Eliza Cross is the creator of Happy Simple Living, where she shares ideas to help busy people simplify cooking, gardening, holidays, home, and money. She is also the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, including Small Bites and 101 Things To Do With Bacon.
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.
Oh-And I forgot to mention, Gratitude Journal- A must for all!!! No complaining for me.