Life can feel overwhelming when cluttered with unnecessary tasks, commitments, and distractions. At some point, it all becomes too much to handle – which may lead you to the point where you start thinking about simplification.

Simple Tips for a Simpler Life

Life doesn’t have to be stressful, overwhelming, and busy. Have you ever taken the time to think about this? While there will always be factors we can’t control, most of the stress and busyness in our lives is self-inflicted. It’s the product of our own decisions and actions.

The fact that most of our busyness is self-inflicted should be an encouragement. Because that means we can also retract and intentionally choose to not be so busy.

The question is, where do you start?

While it’ll look different for every individual and family, here are several specific steps you can take to begin simplifying your life and making room for simple living.

  1. Declutter Your Physical Space

It’s amazing how much your physical surroundings impact your mental state. A cluttered home or workspace can make you feel frazzled and stuck, while a tidy, organized space promotes calm and focus.

Start small. Pick one area – like your desk, closet, or kitchen counter – and clear out anything you don’t use or love. Donate or toss the items you no longer need and find a dedicated spot for the rest. Once you’ve tackled one area, move on to another.

The goal isn’t to create a Pinterest-perfect home – it’s about creating a space that feels functional and peaceful. A little organization can go a long way in simplifying your day-to-day life.

  1. Streamline Your Digital Habits

Your digital life can be just as cluttered as your physical one. Think about your overflowing inbox, endless notifications, and the constant pull of social media. Simplifying here can do wonders for your mental clarity.

  • Inbox Zero: Dedicate time to clean up your email inbox. Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read and create folders to organize important messages. If you’re bold, you might even try to accomplish something known as “Inbox Zero,” where you aim to keep your inbox completely empty at the end of each day.
  • Turn Off Notifications: Limit notifications to only what’s truly essential – no more buzzing for every Instagram like or email. Take advantage of your phone’s customizable notification settings to only prioritize what’s essential. 
  • Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries for how much time you spend on social media or scrolling mindlessly. Use apps like “Screen Time” or “Focus Mode” to help you stay disciplined.

By reducing digital distractions, you’ll free up both time and headspace to focus on things that matter.

  1. Establish Daily Routines

Simplification thrives on routines. When you have a set plan for your day, you eliminate unnecessary decision-making, which reduces stress and saves energy.

Start by identifying your key daily tasks – things like waking up, eating meals, exercising, or prepping for bed. Build consistent habits around those tasks so they become second nature. For example, plan your meals for the week, set a regular workout time, or create a simple morning ritual to start your day on the right foot.

Routines don’t need to be rigid. They’re just tools to help you create order and reduce chaos.

  1. Say “No” More Often

How many times have you said yes to something, only to regret it later? Overcommitting is one of the fastest ways to make life more complicated.

Saying “no” doesn’t mean being selfish – it means being intentional about how you spend your time and energy. Before agreeing to any new commitment, ask yourself:

  • Does this align with my priorities?
  • Do I have the bandwidth for this?
  • Am I saying yes out of obligation or genuine interest?

When you learn to say no to things that don’t serve you, you’ll have more room for the things that do.

  1. Outsource and Delegate

You don’t have to do it all yourself. Outsourcing or delegating tasks can free up valuable time and reduce your workload.

Consider hiring help for things like grocery delivery, house cleaning, or lawn care. If your budget allows, these small investments can make a big difference in simplifying your life.

If you’re part of a team or family, delegate tasks to others. Share responsibilities for chores, errands, or childcare. Simplification isn’t about carrying less – it’s about sharing the load.

  1. Improve Your Vision (and Your Life) With LASIK

If you wear glasses or contacts, you already know how much of a hassle they can be. From cleaning lenses and buying solutions to constantly keeping track of your glasses, vision correction can feel like a never-ending task.

LASIK surgery offers a way to eliminate this daily friction. By reshaping your cornea to correct your vision, LASIK frees you from the daily maintenance of glasses and contacts. It’s a one-time procedure that can have a lasting impact for many years to come.

  1. Focus on What Truly Matters

At the end of the day, simplifying your life is about cutting through the noise and zeroing in on what matters most to you.

Ask yourself: What are my top priorities? Maybe it’s spending quality time with family, pursuing a creative hobby, or taking better care of your health. Once you know what’s truly important, let go of the things that don’t align with those values.

This might mean cutting out toxic relationships, scaling back your commitments, or saying goodbye to possessions that no longer bring you joy. Whatever it is, simplifying starts with intentional choices.

Putting it All Together

Life doesn’t have to be hurried, busy, and overwhelming. And you don’t have to go through your day-to-day obligations and responsibilities feeling stressed. By intentionally simplifying your life, you can leave room for the things that are truly important to you. Good luck!