With June underway, I hope you’re feeling inspired and invigorated to make this month the start of a new chapter. New month, evolved you. In many ways, a new month is a blank slate. It’s an opportunity to be more efficient with your time, set better boundaries, and make intentional choices about your life. The power is in your hands. If you’re feeling called to kickstart a simpler life, welcome. Through this guide, you’ll learn how to create an environment—and a home—that feels less cluttered and more peaceful. Below are three beginner-friendly ways to kickstart a simpler way of living. A lighter, calmer, and cleaner space is within reach.
Be ruthless
Contrary to popular belief, you can embrace a minimal lifestyle and make space for the things you love. It’s not all or nothing. Ultimately, there’s no need to deny yourself the things you love. That said, many of us are surrounded by things and items we don’t need, don’t use, or don’t like very much. Take your bathroom cabinet, for example. Is the shelf filled with products you use regularly? Or, are there half-empty bottles, expired sunscreens, or self-tanners you don’t use? Anything you feel mediocre about (or don’t plan to use in the near future!), toss. Getting rid of excess helps you breathe easier. As you map out your month, decide on a day to tackle the stuff in your bathroom. On that same day, sort through your dresser drawer and the cabinet under the sink. Be ruthless. Get rid of anything that no longer suits you, fits you, or adheres to a clean lifestyle. PSA: your hormones will thank you, too.
The point isn’t to get rid of what holds sentimental value (or what you use, regularly). Rather, the point is to clear out what doesn’t spark joy to allow the important things to shine.
Just Say No
To kickstart a simpler way of living, you need to set boundaries. They’re crucial. I’ve talked about this at length. As a people-pleaser, I work hard to implement them (sometimes, it’s easier said than done). However, they work. They’ve drastically improved my daily stress. The thing about boundaries is this: they’re all-encompassing. We shouldn’t just set boundaries with our coworkers, parents, and strangers. What you don’t allow in your home is also a form of boundary-setting.
To implement home-related boundaries, choose a timeframe—say, a week—and decide that apart from essentials, you’re not bringing anything new into your home. Nada. Zilch. It doesn’t matter how much the thing is on sale, the cuteness factor, or if it’s offloaded from a family member. The point is to get serious about your consumption. Maybe you have a therapeutic shopping habit that results in an overflowing closet. Or, maybe you can’t resist the two-for-one ketchup bottles at the grocery store. Whatever it is, impose a just say no rule. It only has to be for one week! Not only will you save money, but you’ll quickly curb the flow of new stuff cluttering your life.
Embrace a new habit
Last but not least, consider your habits. Once you kickstart a simpler way of living, a ripple effect occurs. Watch how simplifying your home eventually leads to craving a simplified work flow, social calendar, and more. Eventually, the goal is to create a simple rhythm—one that feels structured yet fluid. Think: brewing and sipping your coffee with a book (not a phone) in hand. Or taking a nightly bath. Or walking for 10 minutes after lunch. Whatever it is, commit to it. Add a new habit to your daily routine for the sole purpose of making you feel good. While it may seem counterintuitive to add something when you’re trying to simplify, hear me out: with the right mindset, feel-good habits force you to slow down. They encourage you try a new pace, reset your priorities, and take a more intentional approach to your days.
Images courtesy of Unsplash.
This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Wellness with Edie!
Leave a Reply