How to Live a Simplified Life

The small things add up, and today, I want to talk about how to make our daily lives easier. My husband and I adhere to a couple of rules to ensure we always prioritise activities we enjoy, not just the “must-do”. It’s very simple, get the necessary done before or after work, with or without children, we ask ourselves what would bring us joy today. What activity would make me/us happy today? For us it means going to the beach or the skatebowl, it just sets a different tone to our day. 

You might experience days where you didn’t do anything—no sports, no hike, no work, nothing—and you’ll feel completely and utterly exhausted at the end of the day. While there are other days where you worked out, had a long day at work, then came home, did homework with the kids, and went for a long walk with the dog, you’ll feel quite energised and happy about your day. So, living a simple life doesn’t necessarily mean not doing much. 

What’s the difference between those two experiences? Well, in the case of activity, it could be two things: you’re more satisfied when accomplishing valuable tasks, but of course, there’s also some play of hormones involved as you will have a higher adrenaline level when being active during the day.

From our point of view, it’s all about minimising our to-do list and amplifying the satisfying things. This highlights that work must be satisfying to live a simple life. Eventually, if you can find peace, joy and consistency in your work, it will make your life a lot easier. This doesn’t mean you need to WANT to go to work every day. It just means that Mondays and other working days are enjoyable, and you can feel happy about small things your job gives you.

Why Simplifying Your Life Matters

When we declutter our lives and focus on what truly matters, we allow ourselves to breathe easier and experience more joy. Simplifying your life can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and create more room for meaningful activities and relationships. This practice leads to a happier life and enables you to appreciate the small things that often go unnoticed.

Simple Life Rules for Daily Satisfaction

Simple life rules are guidelines that help you live a more intentional and stress-free life. These can include:

• Limiting screen time to reduce digital clutter
• Setting boundaries to protect your personal time
• Prioritizing activities that promote well-being, such as exercise or hobbies

Adopting these simple life rules, you foster a routine that is centered around happiness.

Embrace Minimalism in Relationships

Our relationships are integral to our happiness. Embracing minimalism in relationships means investing your time and energy into the people who truly matter. Avoid toxic relationships that drain your energy and focus on building deeper connections with those who support and uplift you. Quality over quantity is key here; fewer meaningful relationships can bring more joy and fulfillment than many superficial ones.

Relationships play a crucial role in our happiness, and adopting a minimalist approach can help create healthier, more fulfilling connections. Minimalism in relationships also means letting go of expectations. The more you expect from someone, the higher the chances of disappointment. People won’t always act the way you want them to, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care or value you. Instead of placing expectations on others, focus on appreciation—recognizing and valuing what they bring to your life naturally rather than what you think they should be doing.

Surprisingly, when you stop expecting, you often open yourself up to pleasant surprises. People may show their love and support in ways you never anticipated. The foundation of any strong relationship is built on three essential elements: respect, love, and shared joy. When these aspects are present, relationships become effortless and enriching, free from the weight of unmet expectations.

Streamline Your Schedule

One of the easiest ways to simplify life is by streamlining your schedule. Start by identifying and eliminating non-essential tasks. Prioritize your responsibilities and focus on what truly adds value to your day. Consider using digital tools or planners to keep track of your commitments, helping you avoid overbooking and giving you the necessary downtime to recharge.

Basic Personal Finance 

Financial stress can be one of the most significant burdens in modern life. To live a simplified life, it’s crucial to manage your finances effectively. Create a budget that aligns with your goals and eliminates unnecessary expenditures. Consider simplifying your bank accounts and credit cards to avoid confusion. Financial peace of mind comes from knowing where your money is going and ensuring it serves your life purpose.

It’s not because you earn more that you need more. Upgrading your life straight after you receive a raise or a reasonable period in business is just straight-out dumb (sorry). Your monthly payments should reflect a lower lifestyle than you can afford. This is the only way to not stress about money ever. So try and always pay the least possible for things like:

• rent or mortgage 
• car lease
• Electricity, water and gas bills 
• avoid dept at all cost

The Art of Mindful Spending and Feng Shui in Your Home and Closet

One of the most common financial pitfalls we fall into is the impulse to spend as soon as we receive our paycheck. The temptation of new clothes, furniture, or other material possessions can be hard to resist, but this habit often hinders long-term financial stability. True wealth isn’t just about how much money you make—it’s about how wisely you manage and use it.

The key to curbing unnecessary spending isn’t about depriving yourself but about cultivating an environment that naturally discourages excessive consumption. By focusing on quality over quantity and implementing the principles of Feng Shui in your home and closet, you can create a space that brings you joy and eliminates the constant desire for new things.

Crafting Feng Shui in Your Closet and Home

Feng Shui is more than just an aesthetic philosophy—it’s about creating harmony and balance in your living space. When applied to your home and wardrobe, it fosters a sense of calm, reduces clutter, and helps you make more intentional decisions about what you own.

Step 1: Designate the Best Place for Everything

The first step in creating Feng Shui in your environment is organizing your space with purpose. Everything in your home should have a designated place that feels intuitive and functional. Ask yourself:

• Does this item serve a clear purpose or bring joy?
• Is it easily accessible when I need it?
• Does it contribute to a sense of order, or does it add to visual chaos?

If something doesn’t have a proper place, it might be time to reconsider whether you truly need it. The goal is to craft an environment where everything flows naturally, making it easier to maintain a clean and peaceful home.

Step 2: Curating a Closet That Works for You

Your closet should be a collection of pieces that make you feel confident, fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, and eliminate the frustration of “having nothing to wear.” Instead of impulse-buying random items that catch your eye, take a more strategic approach:

1. Visualize Your Ideal Wardrobe
   
   • Imagine starting from scratch. If you were to replace your entire wardrobe today, what would you buy?
   • Go to your favorite online store and add everything you’d want to own to a shopping cart—but don’t check out! This step isn’t about purchasing; it’s about gaining clarity on your personal style and wardrobe essentials.
2. Assess Your Current Wardrobe
   
   • Compare what you currently own to your “ideal” wardrobe list.
   • Identify pieces that don’t align with your vision—these are the ones to consider donating, selling, or storing for later trends (since fashion always cycles back).
   • Keep only what you truly love and wear regularly.
3. Organize for Accessibility and Inspiration
   
   • Arrange your closet in a way that makes getting dressed effortless.
   • Categorize clothes by function (workwear, casual, formal, seasonal) to create a more intuitive system.
   • Display your favorite pieces in a way that makes them visible and easy to access, reducing the urge to shop for “missing” items.

By carefully curating your closet, you transform it from a chaotic space filled with impulse buys into a collection of items that truly serve you.

The Power of Intentional Living

When you invest in quality rather than quantity, you develop a deeper appreciation for what you own. The desire to constantly shop diminishes because your space already reflects what you love. A well-organized home and wardrobe save you money and bring a sense of peace and confidence into your daily life.

By adopting this mindset, you shift from being a consumer driven by impulse to a mindful individual who spends with intention—allowing you to build wealth while enjoying a clutter-free, harmonious space.

Clean to Happy: Making the Household Easier

There is a direct connection between a clean environment and a happy mind. Dedicate time regularly to declutter your living space. Not only does this practice tidy up your physical surroundings, but it also has a positive impact on your mental clarity. Living in a clean 

environment can reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calm, making it easier to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

Start in the kitchen because what you do in the kitchen will determine your family’s health. The essentials of making your life easier are your meals—keeping them easy but healthy. There are a lot of resources online to make your life easier with well-cooked, nutritious meals. 

Let’s not forget the dishes. The dishes are a pain, but it can go smoothly if you establish some well-set rules. When you’re done eating, it goes in the dishwasher, which is our best friend by far. Another rule is to have only one glass during the day. If your glass is dirty, you wash it and use it again. I cannot stress enough how big of an investment a dishwasher is in making your life easier. It will make your evenings more enjoyable and give you extra time to hang out with your family.

Whether you can or can’t afford a cleaning lady, having a set routine is best practice. In our house, the routine is:

• When you come in, put in a load of laundry.
• Clean the bathrooms.
• Dust the house.
• Vacuum and mop the floor.
• Hang the laundry out.

We do this once a week in a household of four people, and it works perfectly fine. The routine helps our family get the basics done and be content that it’s over with for the week. The good thing is that if our cleaning lady finishes earlier, she gets paid the same for fewer hours as long as she does her job well, making her job more enjoyable.

There’s another factor with cleaning: stressing about it will make your life more difficult. We clean our windows and deep clean only twice a year. Why? Because it takes a lot of time, I have better things to do on a Sunday. Eventually, it’s okay if other things aren’t entirely done. At least the house won’t smell bad, and you won’t live in a dusty house.

To make my life more simple, I just don’t care. It’s an attitude and a preference, but if you love doing a deep clean on Sunday, be my guest as long as it makes you happy.

Seasons are for a Fresh Start

Yes, you read that right, and the best way to start fresh is by getting rid of all the stuff that doesn’t belong in the house anymore. Hoarders, I got you here—if you feel like your life is overcomplicated or you “have a lot going on,” try and get all the stuff out of the way you don’t need.

Go over and throw out:

• The clothes you will never wear again, and be honest!
• The paperwork is over four years old and won’t be audited anymore.
• Books you won’t reread and aren’t fun to look at.
• Toys that are for kids younger than your children.
• If you have collections, you need a nice display for them. Without a nice display, the collections are not worth having in the first place.

Less Projects, More Fun

In our consumer-driven society, we often equate happiness with material possessions. However, true happiness comes from experiences, not things. Whether it’s traveling, spending time with loved ones, or engaging in hobbies, focusing on experiences rather than possessions can lead to lasting joy. Experiences shape our memories and enrich our lives in ways that material items never can. The experiences that are the most fun are usually the ones we did not plan, letting the day, the week or the year pass by through unexpected experiences can be a lot more fun than planning everything into the details. 

For the people out there who always have projects, business plans or other things in mind, I cannot stress this one enough. I learned this from my husband and am still in the process of learning how to do it better. The less you have on your mind, the happier you will be. Decision-making is exhausting, and if you put yourself up to the task of getting a new job, a new house, forcing a baby in the equation or other things, trust me, it’s a recipe for disaster. Avoid new things in your life like the plague and settle for what you can do today. 

Take it one step at a time. If you do things slowly, you will eventually accelerate, as you will have more mental, emotional and financial capacity to buy or create them with ease and grace. 

Conclusion: Simple Life Rules

If there’s anything I can sum up this blog post with, it would be a to-do list:

• Financially, understand what you can afford without stressing yourself out. How can you enjoy life but still live below your means?
• Try to get your cooking and dish routine in place.
• Set up your cleaning routine (max three hours a week, if possible less).
• Scratch the projects that are currently not sustainable.

Following these simple life rules allows you to live a simplified life and find more joy and satisfaction in your day-to-day activities.

The post Simplify Life to Become Happier first appeared on A Simple Life.

Trusting Your Capabilities in Business

When you are building a business, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. The process involves facing constant hurdles that test your resilience and decision-making abilities. But at the core of overcoming these challenges is the belief that you are capable. Realizing that the opportunity to excel in life is placed before you is a powerful motivator. This trust in your capabilities is key to handling the complexities of business.

Trusting your abilities isn’t about feeling invincible but accepting the growth that comes with adversity. Just as in life and in business, you need to flow with the work, understanding that every experience — both good and bad — contributes to your growth.

The Chaos That Comes with Growth

As your business expands, one of the most common challenges you’ll face is managing the chaos accompanying growth. A friend once shared a workshop on this topic, and it resonated deeply: when you grow your business, unexpected things happen, systems break down, and new solutions must be implemented to maintain order. This is where authentic leadership emerges.

Business growth often feels like navigating through a storm. It can be chaotic, with decisions needing to be made quickly, and processes evolving faster than you can keep up with. But it’s essential to remember that this chaos is a natural part of the growth process. The key is implementing systems that help manage this chaos smoothly so you can operate at a higher level in the long term.

Confidence and Courage in Business

Building a successful business requires both confidence and courage. Confidence is about trusting your vision, believing in your ideas, and knowing you have what it takes to make things happen. But courage is equally important because it drives you to take risks, make bold decisions, and assert the value you bring.

When you feel unsure, when doubts creep in, it’s the courage to push forward that will keep you going. Confidence and courage work hand in hand to create a strong foundation for any entrepreneur.

Is Business Stressful? Yes, But It’s Also Transformative

Building a business can feel daunting, but it’s also an opportunity for growth. Stress signals that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone, pushing boundaries, and moving closer to your goals. However, managing stress effectively is key.

Here are practical tips to reduce stress while building your business:

1. Practice Daily Affirmations: Begin each day with affirmations to cultivate a positive mindset.
2. Delegate Tasks: Don’t try to do everything yourself. Trust your team to handle specific responsibilities.
3. Stay Organized: Create systems to manage chaos and maintain smooth operations.
4. Take Breaks: Rest is not a luxury; it’s a necessity for long-term success.
5. Connect with Your Purpose: Remind yourself why you started. A clear vision can help you weather tough times.

Trusting in God’s Plan for Your Business

While confidence and courage are essential in business, there is also something deeply spiritual about embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. When you receive an opportunity to start or grow your business, it’s not just something you “do” — it’s a calling. Trusting in God’s plan and guidance allows you to move forward with faith that whatever challenges you face are part of a greater purpose.

Jumping into a project with excitement can often feel like a leap of faith. You’re stepping into the unknown, unsure of what’s ahead but fully trusting that you are exactly where you need to be. In those moments of uncertainty, remember that if God has placed this opportunity in your path, you are equipped with the strength and knowledge to succeed. Whether the gains or the pains, there’s a purpose in every step of your journey.

The Beautiful and Scary Feeling of Business

Running a business can evoke emotions, from the exhilarating highs of success to the nerve-wracking moments of uncertainty. It’s a beautiful yet scary feeling all at once. One day, you feel like you’re on top of the world, and the next, you might question everything. But that’s the essence of the entrepreneurial experience. It’s a journey that brings both rewards and challenges in equal measure, and it’s important to embrace both.

Reflection: “God has placed me in this position to excel. I trust in His plan and my ability to navigate the work I’ve been given.”

Business Affirmations: Harnessing Positive Energy

As you build your business, one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is the practice of affirmations. Business affirmations help you stay grounded, focused, and positive during the inevitable ups and downs. They allow you to align your mindset with the abundance and opportunities around you.

Affirmations such as “I am ready for abundance and flow in love” and “I am prepared for economic abundance and flow in my life” remind me that you deserve success and that growth is on the horizon. Affirming these positive statements creates a powerful energy that can carry you through the most challenging times.

By integrating affirmations into your daily routine, you can shift your mindset from fear and doubt to trust and optimism. This mental shift will not only help you navigate the challenges of business but will also help you manifest the success and growth you desire.

Here are 10 additional affirmations to inspire positivity and confidence in your business journey:

1. “I attract opportunities that align with my vision and purpose.”
2. “I am confident in my ability to make smart and successful business decisions.”
3. “I create value for myself and others through my work.”
4. “I trust the growth process and embrace every challenge as a lesson.”
5. “Success flows to me effortlessly as I remain focused and committed.”
6. “I am worthy of the success and abundance that comes my way.”
7. “My business grows in alignment with my goals and values.”
8. “I am open to new ideas and inspired solutions for my business.”
9. “I dare to take risks and have the resilience to overcome setbacks.”
10. “Every step I take moves me closer to my business goals and dreams.”

Embracing the Full Journey of Business

Building a business is undeniably challenging. It requires resilience, courage, trust in your capabilities, and chaos adaptation. But it is also a profoundly fulfilling experience that can lead to great success and personal growth. By trusting in yourself, embracing the chaos, and aligning with a higher purpose, you can confidently move through the uncertainties of business.

Through affirmations, you can strengthen your belief in your own abilities and stay focused on your goals. While business may be stressful at times, it is also an incredible opportunity to grow, learn, and, ultimately, flourish. Following the path with trust and determination will prepare you for the abundance and flow that await you.

References:

• Affirmations for Success
• The Power of Trust in Business
• Managing Business Growth and Chaos

The post The 3 Essential Principles and Attitudes for Business Growth first appeared on A Simple Life.

How to Discover What Brings You Satisfaction

1. Reflect on Joyful Moments: When have you felt truly happy or fulfilled?
2. Focus on Growth: Satisfaction often comes from learning and evolving.
3. Simplify Your Life: Eliminate what doesn’t serve you to make room for what does.

Building a Satisfying Life

• Practice Gratitude: Recognize and appreciate what you already have.
• Set Intentional Goals: Work toward aspirations that genuinely excite you.
• Create Balance: Prioritize self-care, relationships, and personal growth.

Conclusion

Satisfaction isn’t something you find—it’s something you build. By focusing on joy, growth, and alignment, you can create a life that feels truly rewarding.

The post The Satisfaction Factor: How to Build a Life You Love first appeared on A Simple Life.

Why Celebrating Wins Matters

Acknowledging progress reinforces a positive mindset, boosts confidence, and keeps you focused on what’s working.

How to Measure Your Success

1. Set Milestones: Break your big goals into smaller, actionable steps.
2. Reflect Regularly: Take time to review what you’ve accomplished.
3. Track Your Progress: Use journals, planners, or apps to record your achievements.

Ways to Celebrate Your Wins

• Treat yourself to something special.
• Share your progress with a supportive friend or community.
• Reflect on how far you’ve come and what you’ve learned.

Conclusion

Success isn’t just about reaching the finish line—it’s about appreciating every step of the way. Celebrate your wins, and let them fuel your drive for more.

The post Measuring Success: How to Celebrate Your Wins and Stay Motivated first appeared on A Simple Life.