How to Live a Simpler Life

From multitasking to mobile phones to social media and more, we live in a world where we are encouraged to keep trying to cram more into every hour of every day. Excess is not about too many material items but is a mindset as well, and the opportunities and demands that you face every day can wear you down to exhaustion. It seems like simplifying your life would be a good idea, but who has the time? The tips below can help you get started.

 

Define Simplicity

What does simplicity mean to you? Pay special attention to the end of that sentence, “to you”, because the answer will be different for everyone. You might have a friend who gives away every book that she finishes on the grounds that she prefers a simpler lifestyle without all those books around her. If this doesn’t appeal to you because you love books, you don’t have to do the same. Maybe simplifying for you means moving to the country and living closer to nature. Or perhaps it means creating a ritual of finding ways to celebrate at the end of the week that help you transition from your work self to your free time self. Think about your values and how you can better live in alignment with them by adding things of true value and stripping out what you can in your life.

 

Start Creating Passive Income

One of the big barriers you might face in trying to simplify your life is that your working life may not be very simple. That’s not a problem if you love what you do, but a big step many people take when they start to think about how to pursue a less complicated way of living is shifting from active to passive income. The basic difference is that with a passive income, you don’t do much to earn the money.

Instead, you set something in motion that can generate income for you, such as a free eBook download online. Another way to do this is by investing. People often assume that investing is risky, but this doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, if you want to get into real estate investing, you can purchase shares rather than an entire property. With REIT tax advantages, you might not have to pay corporate income tax on these properties. Over time, your passive income from this and other ventures could partly or fully replace your regular income.

 

Resist

You may encounter a surprising amount of resistance to the idea that you’re trying to simplify your life, especially if you are doing something eccentric such as getting rid of your smartphone. The world can seem to be designed to complicate everything, but stick to your guns and keep moving ahead in the way that suits you best.

 

Let Go

Another important element of simplifying things is letting go of the idea that you can’t have, do or be everything. Learning to say no is powerful, but unfortunately, over the short run, you might wish you could unlearn it since you are probably giving up some things that you enjoy. That you are doing so isn’t a sign that your simplicity project has failed. It is a necessary step in streamlining and prioritizing your life so that only the most important activities are left.

12 Advanced Life Hacks That Everyone Needs to Know

Because who doesn’t want to do things a little bit easier?

I think we can all agree that life is made a little easier with some easy-to-use life hacks. These 12 tips have gotten me through holidays, financial topics, skincare problems, college crises, and so much more. So, if you’re looking for some behind-the-scenes hacks that can help with your daily life, read on.

1. You can save money on a coffee order by ordering a grande iced vanilla latte with caramel drizzle ($4.95) instead of a grande iced upsidedown caramel macchiato ($5.25) since it’s the same recipe.

2. Using aloe vera gel as a buffer between your skin and a topical drying acne cream can reduce the burn of chapped skin while your skin adjusts to a harsher medication (usually in prescription medications).

3. If you want to leave your house to work or study but don’t want to spend money at a coffee shop or cafe, your local library has quiet places to work – and most even have private rooms you can reserve.

4. For students, using a picture of your schedule as your lock screen for your electronics can save time and confusion while trying to get from class to class.

5. Using a pencil holder/cup to store remotes is usually cheaper than purchasing an actual remote control holder.

6. A candle jar lid can make a great last-minute coaster.

7. If you have a long document (essay, book, proposal, etc.) and need to remember something from it, highlight it in a bright color and/or increase the font size so it’s easier to find when you’re scrolling.

8. Use a paper clip as a bookmark to show exactly where you stopped reading.

9. Create a separate folder in your email for receipts/order confirmations from online orders you’ve placed so you have all of them in the same spot without littering your inbox. You can also do this for offers and coupons you get from stores that you want to save.

10. Buy birthday and Christmas presents throughout the year so you’re not rushing the week before.

11. When traveling, cover the top of a liquid-filled bottle with saran wrap before screwing on the top. This will help stop any leaks that may happen when your bag is being tossed around.

12. Fill your carry-on bag with heavy products while traveling (books, shoes, electronics, etc.) so that your checked bag will weigh less. Not only could it save you from paying extra money, but you’ll be able to handle your heavy (and maybe more valuable) products yourself.

Whether traveling, shopping, cleaning, or anything else, these hacks will help you save money, travel easier, clean more efficiently, and overall save you some time and effort. Try some out and see how much easier your life may get!

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About the Author

Emmie Pombo is a latte and tattoo-loving Tennessean who specializes in mental health and beauty writing. She holds a degree in Journalism and a certification in Makeup Artistry and Airbrushing. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

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