If you want to live a simpler life, it may be time to think about owning less and dealing with less overall. That said, having a simpler life doesn’t mean having an empty home with bare walls, or having nothing to do. We don’t remove clutter, reject busyness and reduce stress to have a simple life, we do it to have a life. All of the excess is getting in the way of us showing up for our lives. Slowing down and practicing minimalism in the modern world may seem complex but small changes can make it easier.
Let Go Of These 7 Things For A Simpler Life
These items are in order from easiest to more difficult and the amount of freedom and joy you’ll feel on their release increases with each one. Simple living invites you to prioritize the essentials for more clarity, intentionality and even more compassion for yourself and others. From your closets to your thoughts, for more space in your home and joy in your life, consider letting go of these 7 things.
1. Start with the easy stuff for a simpler life.
Let’s start with the easy stuff. Take 10-15 minutes and collect all of your duplicate items. I know from experience that they might include measuring cups, wire whisks, wooden spoons, can openers and other kitchen items. You may also have several colors of your favorite shirt even though you only wear the one in your favorite color. There may be a few items that you want to keep more than one of but less than you currently have. Simplify on your own terms doing what is best for you. Let go of the extras and be happy with your favorites.
2. Let go of aspirational items.
This one is a little harder because you may be letting go of some dreams and goals that don’t resonate with you anymore along with physical items. Let go of anything you own that you bought for a life you thought you wanted but don’t anymore. This might include books on topics you aren’t interested in or clothing for a job that you won’t be pursuing. There may be many items in between too. These items distract you from the life you have now and it will make a huge difference in how you feel. You may have been holding on to some anxiety with your aspirational items. It feels good to honor where you are instead of stressing about where you are going, especially when that’s not where you really want to go.
3. Stop trying to do it all.
If you are chasing your to-do list on a daily basis or staying up late in the name of getting one more thing done, it may be time to consider doing less. You probably know if you are trying to do too much but if you aren’t sure, check in with good friends and family members. Even though productivity culture and scrolling social media will make you feel like you aren’t doing enough, make a conscious effort to slow down and focus on the things that matter to you. Slowing down is a gift.
4. Let go of what other people think.
Caring too much about what other people think leads to confusion and complications around living your life the way you want to live your life. When I started the Project 333 challenge and began dressing with 33 items or less, I was surprised that no one noticed I was wearing the same things over and over again. With a little insight, you may notice that people aren’t always thinking about you in the way you think they are. Letting go of what others think will give you tremendous power to trust yourself. This wisdom will help too.
5. Let go of what you think.
Holding on to thoughts and stories that don’t serve us or might not even be true gets in the way of making clear decisions, feeling good. Pay attention to assumptions and thought spirals and let them go as soon as you notice so you can get back to a good life. If you need extra help with this, try using your body to shift your mind and mood.
6. Release the resentment you are holding on to.
You’ve heard the saying, “Resentment is like taking poison and hoping the other person will die.” All of that holding on and being angry only hurts you. You don’t have to forgive and forget but you don’t have to hurt yourself anymore either. Resentment is a noisy place in your mind because you don’t have the control to change the past. For true simplicity in this area, the only option is to let go. And don’t be surprised if you have let go of the same thoughts and feelings more than once.
7. Say goodbye to people pleasing.
This one might be the hardest because by pleasing other people, you may actually believe you are doing the right thing. It’s wonderful to do nice things for other people but when you continually sacrifice your own time and energy to please others, it’s time to check in on your motivation. What do you get from the pleasing part? The most painful part of this habit may be the dishonesty of saying one thing and thinking another. Also notice who may be taking advantage of your need to please. This reminds me of the saying, “The only people upset about you setting boundaries are the ones who benefited from you having none.” You can say, “no” and still be a wonderful person. Stop pleasing others by disappointing yourself.
Continue to simplify your life by removing the things that stress you out and weigh you down. If you are ready for a simpler life, it’s time to embrace the idea of letting go, slowing down and living with less. Give yourself space, time and permission to enjoy your life.