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15 Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life

Embracing simplicity is important for your well-being.

Kaeli Hearn

Sep 13, 2017

Western Washington University

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Tiko Giorgadaze / Unsplash

Who has ever felt a sense of clutter surrounding life? Who has ever felt trapped by commitments or obligation? I know I have. Life can be chaotic leading to stress and not enough time to actually live and enjoy. We all crave simplicity in some senses. Simplicity may have a variety of definitions to each individual, but we all need it. The first step to leading a more simplistic lifestyle is knowing what true simplicity is. Here are 15 ways to live a simpler life.

1. Know what is important to you.

Find what makes you heart beat and the things that make you passionate. Then, go pursue those endeavors whole heartedly.

2. Eat well.

Your body should be fueled and treated with respect. The food you put into your body effects everything. Therefore, treat your body with respect. (That does not mean you can’t ever have a chocolate chip cookie ever again.)

3. Drive slowly.

There is no rush. Take your time, be present and try to find the peace in driving slow and taking in your surroundings.

4. Exercise.

Whether it be for 20 minutes or an hour, it will make you feel better.

5. Declutter your space.

Decide what you really need vs. what you want. Declutter your home, dorm room, apartment or office. Doing so with help clear your mind and could lead to a more minimalist approach to life.

6. Fill your day with simple pleasures.

Whether that be reading, napping or a long drive, make time for this.

7. Live deliberately.

Do everything with a purpose.

8. Spend wisely.

Buy things you really need and focus on saving your pennies for something bigger.

9. Give, Give, Give.

Give your time, money or self to help others. When you are feeding into others, you become more fulfilled.

10. Spend time with people you love.

There is no time to be wasting your time with people who negatively impact you. Therefore, spend your time on this earth with people who challenge and inspire you.

11. Do what you love.

Life is too short to not be living life doing everything you want to do. Challenge yourself and fight for the things you love.

12. Focus on your art, not your job.

Yes, put effort into your day-to-day job, but also make plenty of time for your personal art. These hobbies are who we are.

13. Learn to say no.

It is OK to say no. When we take on too much, that leads to more stress and less simplicity.

14. Spend time alone.

This are the times in which we can fuel creativity. It is OK to spend time alone. Embrace those moments.

15. Learn to embrace the crazy.

That is a part of life. Embracing the ups and downs of life with an open mind and heart will lead to a more fulfilled life.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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15 Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life

Embracing simplicity is important for your well-being.

1. Know what is important to you.

2. Eat well.

3. Drive slowly.

4. Exercise.

5. Declutter your space.

6. Fill your day with simple pleasures.

7. Live deliberately.

8. Spend wisely.

9. Give, Give, Give.

10. Spend time with people you love.

11. Do what you love.

12. Focus on your art, not your job.

13. Learn to say no.

14. Spend time alone.

15. Learn to embrace the crazy.

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"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

We all have that "I don't care" attitude.

1. Most students just take life day by day.

2. That means procrastinating, one day at a time.

3. College students don't mind dressing like crap sometimes.

4. In fact, dressing nice feels weird.

5. College students get so stressed that they contemplate dropping on a daily basis.

6. But most find another solution to deal with that stress.

7. And that solution can be pretty cheap. Anything over $5 is expensive.

8. One of the only things college students will spend money on is coffee.

9. College is just really expensive and you never forget how expensive it is.

10. But hey, we're getting a somewhat high-quality education, right?

11. We all really just want to pet dogs all day.

12. And eat pizza for every meal.

13. And stab the next person who asks us what we want to do with our life.

14. However, despite the stress and student loans, college is amazing and there's plenty of reasons to smile.

Thank you, April, for inspiring us with your wicked relatability.

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