By Leo Babauta
As the year draws to a close, it can be a lovely thing to start to simplify — it’s a letting go as we let go of the past year.
This is a releasing of the past, to clear space for what’s next. Or just to have a simpler life.
In this article, I’ll share some of my favorite ways to simplify even if you don’t have a ton of extra energy to declutter your entire life.
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Start by reminding yourself that life is already enough. Sit still for a few minutes, and feel how you have everything you need to be content, in this moment. Sure, not everything is perfect, but you don’t need life to be perfect to love life. You are already enough, as you are, and this moment is perfect without needing to be improved. If you can remember this simple thing, you don’t need to buy anything to feel fulfilled. You don’t need anyone’s approval, you don’t need more stuff, and you don’t need distractions. This is the heart of simplicity.
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Pick out 5 things to declutter a day. Decluttering can be … overwhelming. So keep it simple — pick out 5 things every day (anywhere in your house) for two weeks. Find things you don’t need or use anymore. With each item, consider what you can do with it — donate it, give it to someone you know, recycle it. If you can do just 5 things a day (keep a donations box in your garage, perhaps), you’ll have decluttered 70 things in two weeks.
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Pick one small flat surface to declutter all at once. As opposed to the previous idea, it can be really nice to pick one small area — a flat surface such as a table top, shelf, the top of a desk, a drawer, or the floor of your closet, for example. Take everything off that flat surface and put it in one place. Then one thing at a time, decide if you’re going to keep it (and where it goes) or if you’ll get rid of it … until the pile is cleared. The newly cleared surface will feel really nice. You can do more of these sessions when you have the time or energy, but try at least one!
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Let go of 3–5 commitments. Look at your packed calendar. What the heck were you thinking, committing to so many things! It can be really nice to remove some commitments from your life. Get out of some things you said you’d be a part of (but that aren’t lighting you up), or some gatherings you said you’d attend but aren’t feeling, or some meetings you don’t really need to go to. Letting go of just a few of them can give you some lovely breathing space.
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Have some digital-free spaces. This coming week, try to find a little time each day, or at least a couple times a week, to go without devices. Remember #1 above — you have and are enough already. You might find some replenishment in going without devices. Your mental health will improve. You’ll have more time for thinking, being active, connecting, reading, doing hobbies. It simplifies life.
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Encourage your family to buy less. Consider inviting your family to do the holiday season with little to no buying things. Celebrate the holidays as a season of getting together and having fun, without needing to spend and buy new things. If giving gifts, consider making things, baking, or buying used. This doesn’t go over well with some people, but it might be worth exploring, to simplify and save money (and waste).
I’m not recommending doing all of these things, and certainly not all at once. We want to keep it simple! Pick one to try out, and if you have space, try another after that. Find the ones that fit well into your life, as opposed to needing to try to do everything.
In the end, it’s really about creating more space, and realizing we often need much more than we think. By reducing consumption and clutter, we can cut back on waste and begin to create more simplicity in our lives.