My journey to simplifying my life has been gradual. Over the years I made a slow series of small swaps and let go of a lot, and each change made my days a little lighter. Here are the ones that actually stuck, along with the handful of things that made them easier.
I Built a Capsule Wardrobe
For years, I struggled with getting dressed every day. I would stand in front of my closet and feel frustrated since I thought I didn’t have anything to wear. But, I started decluttering my closet and focused on keeping pieces that I actually loved. It changed my mornings completely. I experienced much less decision fatigue because I had so many fewer choices.
I Started Prepping Meals on Sundays
I used to hit five o’clock with no plan and just end up getting takeout again. Spending one hour on Sunday chopping and portioning meals took the daily guesswork out of dinner. It saved money and my sanity at the same time.
I Decanted the Pantry Into Matching Jars
My pantry used to be full of half-open bags and boxes with no labels. After putting everything into clear, airtight jars, I was finally able to see everything I had at a glance. It looks calmer and I am wasting far less food now.
I Finally Got a Robot Vacuum
Vacuuming was always the chore I hated most, so naturally it was the one I skipped most too. Letting a little robot handle the floors while I do literally anything else turned out to be a small luxury that pays off daily. My floors have never been this clean.
I Simplified Cleaning to One Caddy
It was nice having a bunch of different cleaners, but they were so specialized, and all I ever used were a few of them. It took a lot of thought just to grab a cleaner and go, so I simplified it. I can clean so much faster with just a few multi-purpose cleaners. I have less clutter under my sink, and I don’t have to think about it as much.
I Switched to a Simple French Press
I used to have a bulky machine on my counter that used pods which I would always run out of at the worst times. A French press makes better coffee and takes up almost no room. Plus, it has nothing that can break. It takes some extra time in the morning, but in a good way.
I Added Drawer Organizers Everywhere
Before each drawer in my house was like a mini junk drawer. With some basic dividers, everything from utensils to socks has a home, and now I can find stuff without having to dig around.
I Carry One Good Water Bottle
I used to buy cases of plastic water bottles and for some reason, I would hoard the empties. But now I have one insulated bottle that I can keep refilling, and it replaces all of that. It’s way better for the planet, and also my wallet.
I Keep Reusable Bags by the Door
I could never remember my reusable bags until I started hanging a few by the front door. Now grabbing them on the way out is automatic. My cabinet is no longer stuffed with crumpled plastic.
I Rely on a Slow Cooker
There are times I really don’t feel like spending time to make a real meal. With a few items in the slow cooker, I can look forward to an easy meal when I get home. Plus, my home will smell wonderful.
I Tamed the Cable Chaos
I felt stressed every time I saw the mess of cords behind my desk. It took me five minutes to use a simple cable management box to hide the mess. I could completely forget about the mess.
I Pared Skincare Down to Essentials
I had a bunch of products on my countertop that I ended up trying because I thought they looked interesting, but they didn’t work out for me. I decided to keep it simple with a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen, and it made my routine so much easier. I think my skin has actually improved!
I Bought a Label Maker
Although this sounds silly, labeling my jars, bins, and shelves removed an astonishing amount of daily friction. Now everyone in the house knows where things go. Putting away groceries is now cut down to half the time.
I Swapped Plastic Wrap for Beeswax Wraps
I was always fighting with the plastic wrap because it would stick to everything but the bowl. I can just rinse and re-use my beeswax wraps. It’s also one less thing I have to keep buying.
I Corralled Seasonal Stuff in Bins
Before, holiday decorations and clothes out of season sat haphazardly in the closet. After adding a few labeled storage bins, I can now stack and locate items easily. Changing out seasonal clothing is no longer a huge process.
I Put a Shoe Rack by the Door
The shoes would build up and create a real tripping hazard at the door. One simple rack gave every shoe a place and contained most of the mess to the entryway. The whole space feels calmer now.
I Simplified My Bedding
I had a linen closet filled with mismatched sheets in sizes I did not even own anymore. Keeping two good sets per bed and donating the rest made laundry day simple. Fresh, matching sheets are a small everyday luxury.
I Run My Life From One Planner
I was juggling sticky notes, three different apps, and a memory that kept failing me. Moving everything into one planner I actually enjoy using brought a strange sense of calm. Nothing important slips through the cracks anymore.
I Use an Over-the-Door Organizer
There were tiny closets and no pantry, so I was always short on storage. An over-the-door organizer made use of wasted space so I could store shoes, snacks, and other supplies. This was the most affordable storage improvement I have ever done.
I Went Paperless With a File Box
Every flat surface in my small home office was piled high with paper. By scanning what I needed, I was able to file the rest away into one lidded box. I was able to finally get rid of the chaos. Now, I can find any document in less than a minute.
I Set Up a Charging Station
I used to spend time every night hunting for my phone and charger cords that always tangled and cluttered my nightstand. Now that I have a little bedside charging station, I have a designated spot for every device, and my nightstand is finally free of the mess!
I Switched to a Water Filter Pitcher
I used to haul home heavy cases of bottled water and stack the empties in the garage. A simple filter pitcher in the fridge gave me clean water on tap. No more plastic, and no more lugging.
I Carry One Insulated Travel Mug
I used to gather disposable coffee cups and an entire cabinet full of assorted travel mugs. But one great insulated tumbler that keeps coffee hot for hours has made the entire collection obsolete. It goes with me everywhere now.
