If you’re like me, then you’re on a journey to simplify. You’d like to spend less time having to make useless decisions, organizing unnecessary items, and carrying out unimportant obligations.
Despite having a strong sense of what I care about and don’t care about, I still spend a good part of my daily life rearranging, organizing, choosing, rescheduling, and planning. And while none of those things are bad per se, I would like my life to be a bit more streamlined. A little less complicated.
But when we think about it, simplicity can be a pretty abstract concept. We might desire simplicity but not know where to start.
In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be sharing a bit more about how I pursue simplicity in various areas of my daily life. And I hope you’ll follow along!
5 Areas of Our Lives That Need Simplicity
1) Our Closets. This includes clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, jewelry and beauty products. I’ll be sharing about my seasonal wardrobe next week, and how we can pare down to the basics and avoid those overflowing drawers or chairs-used-as-extra-coat-racks.
2) Our Food. Go to any supermarket and you’ll see thousands– yes thousands– of packaged food choices. From frozen meals to cereals to canned tomatoes, there’s almost no end to the number of decisions we have to make. Furthermore, read the ingredients list on most of these items and you’ll see much more more than you probably bargained for. I’ll continue to share recipes and methods for eating simple, delicious real food on a daily basis.
3) Our Subscriptions. At one time or another we subscribe to (or follow) various companies, individuals and organizations. But, while our interests change over time, our subscriptions often do not. Let’s think carefully about what is flooding our inboxes, our mailboxes, our news-feeds, and our screens in general.
4) Our Schedules. Yes, most of us have to work, and whether we love our jobs is a conversation for another time. But do our schedules really reflect our priorities? Are we “busy,” but unproductive or totally unhappy?
5) Our Budgets. If we make a list off the top of our heads of the things we need and things we enjoy, it may not be a very long list. But, a look at our credit card records would suggest that there are many other things we’ll spend money on. Simplifying does not necessarily mean being cheap or miserly, but it does mean that our money goes toward things we truly value. I’ll be sharing more about how we budget for necessities, pleasures, and generosity.
What are some areas of your life that you would like to simplify?
Thanks, sweet friend! 🙂
Hi Alli! So sorry it took forever to respond to your comment! Simplifying our blog plugins and design is SUCH a good point! 🙂 I hate it when sidebars are so full of stuff! Thank you so much for reading 🙂
Hi Jennifer! I’m so sorry it took forever to respond to this, I thought I did! So glad this piece resonated with you. And I’ll be checking out your blog too 🙂
You’re right about the subscriptions. I’m always going to “unsubscribe” in my e-mail, but then thinking “oh, but what if I need it {next coupon, interesting info in next post, etc.}. And my magazines are now on my to-do list instead of something to leisurely flip through!
I might have to check back and see how you pursue simplicity.
Jennie
TheHousewifeModern.com
p.s. I found your post via the “Pretty Pinterest Party” On “Recipes for Our Daily Bread”
p.p.s. (Obviously) going to check out your Pinterest right now!
I’m all into simplicity and even though I have a simple blog design, I’ve been getting rid of deactivated plugins that were still hanging around and unplugging from those that I don’t really need and are just slowing down my load time. Oh, and I organized my junk drawer this week. Ahh . . . .
YES! All of this is so good. Simplify.
It’s such a small part, but my subscriptions ae probably my number one thing that stress me out during the mornings, haha! There’s just no way that I could open all of them, and last week I went on a cut-throat unfollow rampage, where I got rid of most of my junk newsletters. Things like that can make you feel like you’re buried under! I also liked your budget point. If I looked at my credit card, I’d see funds going to a whole lotta places that I don’t necessarily enjoy. That was some great food for thought right there. I definitely feel like I’ll be a little more cautious when opening the wallet this week.
xo marlen
Messages on a Napkin
As usual you’ve hit the nail on the head! These are all top suggestions — this year is all about the final two for me — budget and schedule. I’ve been working on the first since January and I’m finally steering back on course for the second. It’s so encouraging to see these items listed here in a sweet, simple format, with your warm, honest and supportive notes beside them. Thanks again for the inspiration =)
xo
http://www.threadandbones.com
Oh yes, and I definitely am a huge fan of simplifying a little bit at a time. Otherwise, simplicity just becomes a strict regimen that doesn’t work for us.
Exactly! Thanks for reading, Erin! 🙂
Hi Jeannette, thank you so much for this note. I am so deeply saddened by the passing of a dear child, and my thoughts are definitely with you and with his friends and family. And you’re right– we do often allow worry to cloud our thinking and to busy our minds with things that don’t matter, or that are out of our control. I hope that you do chase that simple life that is focused and driven by what matters to you most! I’m so glad you enjoyed reading this, it means a lot to me! Blessings to you!
Thanks Ann-Marie! I really appreciate that. Blessings!
I have a hard time with each of these and they’re all so important! I feel like I get a good grasp of simplifying one area at a time but it’s SO difficult to get them all simplified at the same time!
These top 5 are pretty accurate in my opinion! 🙂 I would like to simplify my wants/needs lists. Do we really need all we think we do?! Probably not!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
Hello Daisy, I actually read this post yesterday but I
couldn’t comment right away. It put in a thinking and reflecting
mode when I needed it the most. Yesterday morning I received the news that a
young boy very close to my heart passed away. He had the same
rare medical condition my youngest daughter currently has. He was an amazing
human being. Smart, loving and very joyful but like my daughter, was living in
a body that was meant to go through many challenges to teach us a better way to
live. You can now imagine, how I was feeling yesterday, especially
knowing that my daughter suffers from the same condition. I know her life is a
miracle and that there is no cure to her rare disease but I wasn’t
expecting to hear such news and even thought I know anything can happen and
that nobody is eternal, just the thought of facing such moment breaks
my human heart. My soul knows the truth and deep inside I
understand my daughter’s purpose (just like Ryan’s, the young boy) but as
a mother it is super hard to digest, especially when my mind gets on the
way thinking and thinking. Anyways, when I read your post and after
learning about the sad news I realized that Yes, I need more simplicity in
my life. Not long ago I wrote a post about living as if I was dying and
it resonates with the post you wrote today. Living simple to me is
focusing in the meaningful things in life. The things that actually
matter, that will get us somewhere. Living simple is doing what we love
and letting others do what they love too, without judging or criticizing.
Living simple is to live with faith knowing that all is in divine purpose
therefore why should I waste energy worrying about the future or the past and
instead focus living in the moment which is where true peace and happiness
resides. I want a simple life filled with joy, and happiness so that I
can provide my daughter better opportunities to enjoy her life. Less TV,
less stuff in the house to clean and less feeling of obligations to others as I
know that I can’t make everyone happy (this is the hardest for me). I
don’t know how to say NO and struggle with feelings of not being a
good person when I don’t respond to others phone
calls, emails, gatherings invitations or needs. Loved your post
Daisy, you gave me a lot to think about. Have a blessed day! XOXO,
Jeannette
http://www.msjeannieandhercloset.com
Thank you so much for this post! I have been struggling to downsize my life this new year but you break it down to seem so simple! Thank you and God bless!
Thanks so much, friend! Yes, it’s a commitment to live simply in all of these different ways. I am definitely on a quest for simpler food. 🙂
Thank you so much Natalie! And yes, simplifying with food is so hard. Every time I go to the grocery store, I end up buying more than I went there for.
Hahahah yup. me too.
Thank you so much Shireen, the budget is definitely a really challenging one. So glad to have you along, that means a lot to me 🙂
Thanks so much! Yes, there can be lots of clutter everywhere, including our technology!
Yes definitely! One thing at a time. 🙂
Thank you so much Laura, that means a lot to me!! So glad to have you along 🙂
Thanks girl! I really appreciate that.
Thanks Kiki!! There’s one coming up tomorrow 🙂
Wonderful post, thank you for sharing! I hope to simplify my diet more, with healthier more natural choices. Thankfully I grew up learning about keeping a simple budget and schedule, however I’m sure once I’m healthier and we live back in Louisiana it will take more thought.
This is so great. I feel like I am consistently trying to simplify one or more areas in my life, but sometimes the process of simplifying makes things even more complicated 😉 I can totally relate to the food one. I typically shop at Aldi and Sam’s Club but today I needed to go to Target for some things and just needed a few groceries too so I did it all there. Man, I was sooo distracted. I am looking for beans and somehow I end up with 2 boxes of random cereal! I am so glad I shop at Aldi regularly because there aren’t tons of choices and it definitely forces me to simplify in the food arena!
Soooo agree! Although, I always have a hard time with #1…
xo
Michaela
http://michaelajeanblog.com
Count me in and I’ll be following your pursue in simplicity. I know I personally can use some guide in mine too. I have been good with my wardrobe as I’ve always bought key, versatile pieces but I definitely need help in scheduling and most of all, BUDGET. Your blog is such a refreshing read, Daisy and that’s why I always come back to read. xx
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
Sounds like a great new series, and I was actually surprised at the themes you will be tackling, in a good way! I am currently on a mission to simplify my closet but simplifying subscriptions are a good idea too.
Rae | love from berlin
I definitely need to work on my closets and my schedule! So many good points made here.
Heidi
http://www.wishesandreality.com
Daisy, I love your posts and even more so recently. I love the approach you’re taking to living more simply! It can be a challenge, especially as you begin the journey, but ultimately so worth it. Everyone should find the value in the things that make them truly happy. And I think that if we try to live more simply, it can be easier to find what those things are. Weed out the clutter and noise to find what matters most.
.. Laura ..
Love this new approach to your blog…and life! So different from what others are preaching & it’s so refreshing/inspiring to read. Hope all is well, Daisy!
Xo, Alison
http://www.simplyfairbyalisonjeanine.com
I can’t wait to see more of your food recipes! As some one who grew up simply “not knowing any better,” I’ve really tried to steer my own family in a better direction food wise. I love reading your real food recipes. (:
http://www.accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com