“You can do anything, but not everything.”
You’ve probably seen this quote a million times. I know I have. But I’m willing to bet there are still days where you bite off far more than you can chew.
Maybe that’s most days for you? That used to be the case for me.
I used to say yes to every invite, ask and favor. I would regularly overcommit my time, even to things that didn’t really matter to me. And I lived in a constant state of overwhelm because of it.
But one day in mid 2019, I came to my senses and I decided to create a more simple lifestyle. One that I could actually manage and enjoy (here’s how I did it).
Quickly, I discovered that simple living has a lot of perks. And I want to share them with you to prove – if you don’t already know – that a simple life can be an amazing one!
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What does a simple lifestyle entail?
Let’s start here! Contrary to popular belief, the simple life isn’t about purging all of your belongings and moving into a tiny house. At least not to me.
To me, living simply is about identifying the things in YOUR life that tend to overwhelm you and figuring out how to make them more manageable. That said, simple living looks different to everyone.
Maybe for you, getting dressed every morning is unnecessarily stressful. Then creating a capsule wardrobe might be the perfect solution.
Maybe you always feel pressed for time. Then planning your days and weeks with a tool like this free priority planner could help you out.
Or maybe both are true! Regardless, only you can decide what a simple lifestyle looks like to you. Be honest with yourself and reap the benefits.
The Perks of the Simple Life
While a simple lifestyle looks different for everyone, the benefits are truly universal. Here they are in no particular order.
1. It makes life more sustainable.
Embracing the simple life makes life more doable long term. It allows for more mental space and clarity. And when you’re consistent, you experience less burnout and disappointment.
My days used to be entirely over scheduled, and every 8-10 weeks my daily stress would lead to full throttle burnout. Like I would get physically ill and have to rest for 2-3 days. Sometimes I’d even have panic attacks.
But the second I was better, I’d do it all over again. And that cycle went on for years.
Then I started simplifying.
In decluttering everything from my career to my social calendar, my life feels so much lighter. I can actually handle it! And I rarely, if ever, feel stressed or anxious.
2. It saves you money.
Simplifying your life often means simplifying your surroundings and commitments. Whether it’s letting go of a monthly subscription you don’t use often or opting out of some social events, you’ll likely save money.
This financial stability, from my experience, eliminates so much stress. It also gives you the opportunity to consider the “bigger picture” and the freedom to invest in what matters to you.
Dane (my husband) and I currently use our extra funds to pay for gym memberships, save for our future, and give to causes we care about. All of these things have a deeper purpose. They mean more to us than any random material item or amenity ever could.
3. It saves you time.
We have 24 precious hours in a day. Unfortunately, so many of us spend it doing things we feel we have to, rather than what we want to.
When you commit to the simple life, you commit to giving yourself more time—to rest and practice self-care, to spend time with your family, to pick up a new hobby, etc.
In adapting a more simple lifestyle, I read almost everyday (I’m a sucker for self help books!). I take walks with Dane, spend more quality time with family, and get 7-8 hours of sleep daily. A few years ago, I wanted these things, but I didn’t have time for them – or so I thought!
4. It fills you with gratitude.
Have you ever heard that having less makes you appreciate more? It’s true!
When life is less cluttered, it’s easier to see the good in it. Even better, acknowledging the things that you’re grateful for is good for your mental health and overall well being.
I use the 5 minute journal to express the things – big and small – I’m grateful everyday. It’s part of my morning routine and is such a positive start to my day! It helps me to remember that, no matter what, there are always things to be thankful for.
5. It allows you to do more of what’s important to you.
The less you have to split your attention on, the more you’ll be able to focus on what matters. It’s that simple!
The more I’ve cut out of my life, the more productive and present I’ve become. So in essence, my family members and team members benefit from my simple lifestyle, too!
Gone are the days of multitasking and trying to do it all. And I couldn’t be happier!
6. It makes decision making easier.
We humans like having a lot of choices because then we feel like we aren’t missing out. However, that abundance often leads to overwhelm.
Simple living has made my priorities more obvious, which means less choices and therefore less decisions (and less “decision fatigue”).
Making a decision is so much easier than it used to be. And I feel more confident in the decisions I do make now, too.
7. It decreases your workload.
We all want to work less, right?
Like I said above, simple living often makes your priorities more obvious. When that happens, you feel less pressure to try and do everything, and instead focus on what is necessary and what brings you joy.
I say no now more than ever before. But I know that this allows me to say yes to the things that truly matter, which makes disappointing people a whole lot easier.
8. It eliminates emotional burdens.
When there’s less going on around you and less to manage, your mind is naturally a lot clearer.
Now, even when the hard stuff comes up (because of course, it will), I’m better able to rationally and efficiently process things.
Overall, my response to difficult situations has become far more logical than emotional.
If you’re feeling intrigued by the benefits of the simple life, keep the momentum going. Check out my 6 Easy Tips for Simpler Living and More Happiness next!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading. Come back soon!
