A lot of people think that simplifying your life requires all these heavy duty life changes, major, major changes.
But in reality, you only need to do a few things to really, really simplify things and make life a little lighter.
And with that, these are the changes that actually stuck. Plus, the items that helped.
I Built a Capsule Wardrobe
I used to stand in front of the closet feeling like there was nothing to wear. I decluttered down to the pieces I only loved, and that way, I only had fewer choices to make decisions.
I Started Prepping Meals on Sundays
Used to hit 5 o’clock with no plan and default to takeout. But I tell you what, one hour on Sunday, chopping and portioning out dinners for the rest of the week, has really helped save me time and effort, and it took away all of the guesswork every single day. Plus, I think it saves me money, and it definitely saves me on my sanity.
I Decanted the Pantry Into Matching Jars
If you’re anything like me, you have a pantry that’s full of half open bags and unlabeled boxes. Clear airtight jars can go a long way in this instance. It looks calmer, it wastes far less food. They store a lot better, you can get it organized, and it’s really just an easy way to simplify things.
I Finally Got a Robot Vacuum
Listen, I’m not one who likes to vacuum. I know there are people out there who love to do it. It’s their favorite chore, but in my world, it’s literally my least favorite chore. So I typically would skip it to maybe every other week. However, now, I let the robot do the floors while I’m doing everything else in my life. Man, oh man, oh man. My floors have never been cleaner.
I Simplified Cleaning to One Caddy
I had a pile of specialized cleaners, and only ever used a few. So instead of, like, having so many options, I got rid of some of them. Switched to fewer multipurpose cleaners that have faster cleaning, and it created less clutter under my sink.
I Switched to a Simple French Press
I know, there are some people out there who swear by their coffee, who have these massive coffee pots and all these bulky pod machines on the counter and pods that are empty and laying around. But let me tell you something, a French press makes better coffee. It takes almost no room. There’s nothing to break. And you know what? Even though it does take extra time in the morning, it’s in a good way.
I Added Drawer Organizers Everywhere
Every drawer I feel like I have was a mini junk drawer to some degree. But basic dividers gave everything from utensils to socks and everything else a home. No more digging around. Made my life so much easier.
I Carry One Good Water Bottle
I used to buy cases of plastic bottles and hoard the empties for some reason. But nowadays, everybody’s all high on the refillable water bottle, and so I actually finally got with the times and replaced all of my plastic bottles with one bottle that is insulated, it’s refillable, and it’s better for the planet.
I Keep Reusable Bags by the Door
I could never remember to bring them. But I live in Colorado, and we got rid of plastic bags. So I have a few hanging by the front door now that makes grabbing them automatic, because if you have ever gone to the grocery store and forgotten your bags, trust me, you’ll remember next time. But the cool thing is, I no longer have a bunch of bags stuffed in one bag under my counter.
I Rely on a Slow Cooker
There are some days where I just don’t have energy to make a meal. And a few items in a slow cooker is an easy way to have a meal waiting at home. Plus the house smells really, really good.
I Tamed the Cable Chaos
If you’re like me, you have a mess of cords behind the desk or your TV. And you know what? It’s ugly and it can stress you out. But 5 minutes with a cable management box hid it all, and now it’s out of sight and out of mind.
I Pared Skincare Down to Essentials
I used to have a countertop full of products that I bought on impulse that never really worked out. But now I just use a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. It’s an easier routine, and my skin actually seems like it’s doing a little bit better.
I Bought a Label Maker
I know, it sounds silly, putting labels on jars and bins and shelves, but in reality, if you don’t have clear containers that you can see inside of, label makers can become your best friend.
I Swapped Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Wraps
Plastic wrap stuck to everything except the bowl. Am I right? Now, beeswax wraps, they just rinse and reuse them. It’s one less thing to keep buying, and now that I’ve made room in all of my junk drawers, I have room for them.
I Corralled Seasonal Stuff in Bins
Holiday decorations and off season clothes were everywhere in my closet. I finally got some bins and labeled them. And it makes things stackable, findable. Seasonal clothing swaps are no longer a big process, pulling out decorations for different holidays is not a big deal anymore. And it just keeps me really organized.
I Put a Shoe Rack by the Door
Shoes pile up. And it causes a tripping hazard. So I finally invested in one rack that gave every shoe a place, and it contained the mess in my entryway, and the whole space feels a lot calmer.
I Simplified My Bedding
I had a linen closet full of mismatched sheets in sizes that I no longer owned. Like, why am I doing this? In case somebody needs them in the future? Don’t know. So what I did is I kept 2 good sets per bed and I donated the rest. Laundry day is simple, fresh matching sheets — it’s an everyday luxury.
I Run My Life From One Planner
I used to do sticky notes, 3 apps, and I have an unreliable memory. So moving everything into one planner brought a strange sense of calm to me. And now, nothing important slips through the cracks. I know exactly what’s going on every single day.
I Use an Over-the-Door Organizer
I have small closets, no pantry, and I’m always short on storage. So utilizing every space in my home has been really essential. So I bought an over the door organizer that I use for wasted space, like shoes, snacks, supplies. It’s definitely a more affordable storage upgrade. And I think it’s the best one I’ve ever made.
I Went Paperless With a File Box
Every flat surface in the home office was piled with paper. So I scanned what was needed, filed the rest into one lidded box. And now any document is findable in under a minute.
I Set Up a Charging Station
Every night, I was on the hunt through tangled cords cluttering around my nightstand. But now I’ve created a bedside charging station that gives every device a designated spot. And now my nightstand is finally clear. Much better.
I Switched to a Water Filter Pitcher
Hauling in heavy cases of bottled water, stacking empties in the garage. Ugh. Ever since I got my one water bottle, I decided to also get a filter pitcher for inside of the fridge that gives me clean water on tap. So no more plastic, and no more lugging those heavy cases of water.
I Carry One Insulated Travel Mug
Disposable cups plus a whole cabinet of random travel mugs is story of my life at one point. But instead, I got one good insulated tumbler that keeps my coffee hot for hours, and it makes the rest obsolete. And it goes everywhere now.
I hope this really helped. And these are really just 23 easy ways to simplify your life.
