How to Simplify Your Life in Two Steps

Simplicity is a concept that many people aspire to, but only some achieve.

Simplicity means living with less clutter, less stress, and less distraction. Simplicity means focusing on what matters most and letting go of what doesn’t. Simplicity means having more time, space, and energy for the things that bring you joy and fulfilment.

But how can you achieve simplicity in your life? 

According to Leo Babauta, the author of the popular blog Zen Habits and several books on simplicity, it boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.

Let’s see how these two steps can lead to more a fulfilling and simple life.

Identify the essential

The first step to simplify your life is to identify the essentials. 

The essentials are the things that are truly important to you, the things that align with your values, goals, and passions. The essentials are the things that make you happy, healthy, and productive.

Imagine your life as a suitcase – you can only pack so much, so it’s crucial to choose wisely. 

You can start by identifying the essential relationships in your life. Focus on nurturing meaningful connections with family and friends rather than spreading yourself thin across numerous superficial interactions. Quality over quantity is the key.

It would be best if you also considered your core values and principles. What truly matters to you? By identifying and sticking to these values, you can focus on what goes with your authentic self.

To identify the essential, you need to ask yourself:

What are my core values?

What are my main goals in life?

What are my passions and interests?

What are the activities that make me feel alive and energized?

What are the relationships that enrich my life and support me?

What are the possessions that I use and enjoy regularly?

What are the habits that improve my well-being and performance?

The answers to these questions will help you define what is essential for you.

Eliminate the rest

Once you’ve identified the essential aspects of your life, the next step is to eliminate unnecessary elements that add clutter and complexity. Think of it as decluttering your mental and physical space.

The unnecessary elements are the things that are not essential, the things that clutter your physical and mental space, the things that drain your time, energy, and attention, and the things that cause you stress, frustration, and dissatisfaction.

For example, learn to say no to unnecessary commitments. Because overcommitting can lead to stress and burnout. Similarly, Unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, organize your digital files and limit your time on social media. This can lead to a more focused and mindful use of technology.

To eliminate the rest, you need to take the following actions –

• Declutter home and office: Get rid of the items that you don’t need, use, or love.
• Simplify your schedule: Say no to the commitments not aligned with your priorities and goals.
• Reduce digital distractions: Limit your use of social media, and other online platforms that consume your attention and time.
• Cut out the negative influences: Avoid the people, situations, and media that bring you down and affect your mood and mindset.
• Streamline your routines: Automate or outsource the tasks that are repetitive or boring.
• Optimize your finances: Spend less than you earn, save more, and invest wisely.

Eliminating the rest will free up more resources for the essentials. You will also create more clarity, focus, and peace in your life.

Simplicity is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. Simplicity is a choice, a practice, and a lifestyle.

If you want to simplify your life, you can follow the above two steps. Doing so will create more space for the things that matter and enjoy a simpler and more meaningful life.