12 practical ways to simplify your life

So, our lock down in South Africa is not going to end like we imagined or hoped it would. And, life seems to have become pretty complicated pretty quickly! Do you also crave a way to simplify your life?

I have spoken a lot in videos the past couple of weeks on our Facebook page about how we are not in control of the situation and that we should not work ourselves up into a tizzy about it either. Rather, let us concentrate our efforts on being ‘better’ when our lives do return to some kind of normal in the future after this pandemic. We can choose to look at what we are going through positively by learning and/or growing from this world-wide experience and as a life coach, my advise to everybody would be to work on your visions and goals that you want to achieve in the future – post COVID-19. One of the most common things that we hear from our clients are “I want a simpler life” OR “I want an easier / less complicated life” AND “I just want to be happy”.

So, here are 12 Practical Ways to Simplify Your Life – and Be Happier!

1. Grow some food (you can start with herbs!) What food do you love? Read articles online to see if and when you can grow it in your area, then carve out a small patch in your yard and give it a go. Light and the appropriate amount of water is needed, then experience how a small dried up hard lump (the seed) turns into a plant – which gives us food. It’s pretty magical. Live in a complex unit or flat? Use your balcony or windowsill to grow some lettuce, strawberries or herbs. My favourites are mint and coriander.
2. Make a list of WHO is most important in your life. Does your life reflect your list? Do you spend quality time with those who matter most? If not, what gets in the way? Find ways to spend time with those who matter and right now that could be things like Facetime; Zoom; Whatsapp video calling etc.
3. Watch and learn. Watch some documentaries with your family and get inspired to do things differently in the world. There are tons of shows and movies on Netflix, Showmax and Gaia is absolutely amazing! Recently I discovered that the hitched.series is showing on Showmax and I love it for the laugh and light-hardheartedness it offers.
4. Question why you’re buying things. When making a purchase ask yourself, is this a “need” or a “want”? Remember the more stuff we have, the more energy you need to maintain it all… And less stuff means more money in the bank too!
5. Watch TV consciously. Be aware of what a time-suck television can be. With regular TV we’re constantly bombarded with ads intended to make us feel fear/inferior so that we buy more stuff (that we often don’t need). Try only watching television for a specific program or a set period of time to unwind. The husband and I never watch ‘real time’ TV anymore. We only watch catch-up or recorded episodes where there are no ads or we can fast forward through them. The next step? Get rid of regular TV altogether and sign up with an “on-demand” TV service like Netflix (but be aware of “binge-watching” several episodes of TV shows in a row!).
6. Do Less. Learn to say “No” to things that negatively impact you. AND remember that just because we enjoy (or want to do) something doesn’t mean it won’t add to our stress or overwhelm! A great question to ask yourself is, “What could I say ‘Yes’ to, if I said ‘No’ to this?”.
7. Stop multi-tasking! Do just ONE thing at a time. I guarantee your mind will thank you.
8. Mindfulness and/or meditation. Meditation is not a religion. It is a Science with loads of research done on the positive and tangible results that it has on our body and minds. You can’t stop your thoughts and feelings arising but you can learn not be swept up by them. Mindfulness (check out Fabian’s article about it here) helps us respond consciously rather than simply reacting. Meditation helps us learn that we are not our thoughts, that we can be more present and experience life differently. There are many ways to learn mindfulness and meditation including guided meditation and walking in nature. Google or Utube for endless free content.
9. Rediscover the joy of reading – for spiritual and personal growth. Choose personal development, inspirational books or memoirs of people you admire. You may like, “The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu, “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle (my personal favourite), “Change Your Thoughts-Change Your Life” by Dr.Wayne W Dyer, “A Return to Love” by Marianne Williamson or “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou (another favourite). All of these and many more are available online.
10. Switch your smartphone off or place it out of sight. Unless you have a specific NEED for it to be on. Just 15 years ago, you managed your life entirely without your mobile phone – now that makes you think right! Another thing, learn to completely eradicate all screen time at least 1 hour before bedtime and 1 hour after you wake up.
11. When you can, choose your values over price when making purchasing decisions. This means choosing products that match your values even if they cost more. For example, choose the product with biodegradable packaging, use recycled or unbleached paper products (toilet paper, tissue, printer paper etc), choose organic and local. It also might be choosing a product that is not factory made, or from a company that pays a living wage to staff, that doesn’t destroy rain forest etc. Finances an issue? For discretionary (non-necessary) items, buy less or choose not to buy it altogether…
12. Decide to be kinder. To yourself, others – and of course the planet. Ask, “What would be the kind thing to do, way to respond or be here?” Or, how can I help or serve and be of assistance? Kindness is always possible…

I end with these thoughts that you can ponder and contemplate upon.

What are you committed to becoming during this time before we return to a new ‘normal’?

What are you committed to creating that will assist you to transcend who you are today and help you to build a brighter future for yourself and your loved ones?

Finally, may we all learn through this time and the process that we are all going through that our Earth is a beautiful gift and the way we can treasure her is by just being kinder human beings all round.

Yours in kindness