Simplify your life: 6 helpful hacks

We live in extraordinary times – but still, the modern world can be overwhelming. In those moments, take stock of your surroundings and look for ways to reduce the complexity.

Why simplicity can be good for us

The myriad of distractions in our lives can be exhausting. Minimising these triggers can give you the clarity you need to kick goals.

The keys to simplicity

Simplicity can help pave the way for happiness by minimising distractions and letting us focus on the fundamentals. Our happiness could be affected by how satisfied we are in these seven areas of our life:

• standard of living
• health
• personal relationships
• achievements
• how safe do we feel
• connection to the community, and
• sense of future security.

How you live a simpler life is up to you. Everybody’s different, and we all have our own needs. Ensure that these needs are met regardless.

Life will inevitably have its busier moments. That’s when it is so important to set boundaries. Learn to use these boundaries to avoid the “busy-ness creep” and keep your focus on the things that matter most to your wellbeing. Here are some ways you can achieve this.

Hack 1: Declutter your space

When was the last time you cleaned out your wardrobe? Or that bottom drawer in the kitchen? It’s no surprise that clutter at home can lead to clutter in the mind. Do a regular clean out and only keep the things that benefit your life. You’d be surprised at how much simplicity you can inject into your home life just by reducing clutter.

How to declutter your home

There will be instances where you have to make tough decisions on what you’ll keep and what you’ll get rid of. Take your time, especially if you are someone who values possessions. Start small – even if it’s just five minutes a day. Some examples of decluttering are:

• Work on one room in the house each week.
• Clean off all flat surfaces, and keep them clean.
• Get creative with your storage space.
• Adopt a 'one in, one out' rule with everything you purchase.
• Make a decluttering checklist and stick to it.

Hack 2: Dedicate time away from devices

Scrolling through daily feeds on social media can put a dent in your day, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes here and there. If you don’t have enough time for the small things, allocate ‘no social media’ slots in your schedule to create more mental and physical space.

Whether at the start of your day or at night so you can focus on winding down, this can help free up time and energy to focus on what’s important.

If you find the temptation to scroll and swipe too strong, you could use your phone’s settings or third-party apps to assist your ‘no social media’ schedule.

Hack 3: Create a morning routine

How you begin each day can impact how it pans out. Make time for yourself before you tackle the day to reduce the brain fog which can lead to distraction and confusion. Rather than reaching for the snooze button, incorporate a little time in your schedule to enjoy the morning.

This could be done through exercise, meditation, drawing, journaling, or even enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in silence. By inviting a little space into your morning, you’ll be amazed at how much more equipped you are to take on the day.

Hack 4: Embrace minimalism

The concept of minimalism involves possessing only what adds value and meaning to your life and removing the rest. The impact of minimalism is widespread – it has influenced art, design, music and lifestyles.

A way to achieve a more minimalist lifestyle is by establishing boundaries or limits. Everything you look to include in your life should pass a needs/wants test. Do you need it? Or do you want it? Only you can decide.

Hack 5: Invest in quality, not quantity

It could pay off to pay extra for particular items. While we’re not suggesting you break the bank on every little purchase, investing in quality products that will last longer – provided you take care of them – can make a difference in the long run.

When an expert craftsperson has crafted something, chances are they have made an effort to ensure it will last. In other words, they’ve taken pride in their work, so you can take pride in possessing it.

Hack 6: Develop healthy habits

A healthy life is a happy life. You don’t necessarily need to adopt the regime of a world-class athlete, but you should at least make an effort to exercise and eat healthy. Much like decluttering, this can start with easy-to-achieve goals and steps. Try adding some greens to your dinner, or go for a walk during your lunch break. Better still, look at ways in which you can add kindness and joy to the lives of others each day.

Why not simplify your insurance too?

Insurance is one of those life admin things that we don’t always associate with simplicity or wellbeing – but ensuring that it’s adequate and up-to-date can help remove a potential source of stress. Take a moment to review your policy, checking:

• when it's up for renewal
• your sum insured is appropriate to the value of your home and contents, or your vehicle, and
• all your personal info is accurate and up to date.

If you’re in the shopping-around phase, brush up on how GIO can help you stay covered.

Explore GIO Home and Contents Insurance

Read more:

• 5 best apps for managing stress and anxiety
• 5 simple steps to boost your health
• Natural ways to improve your gut health

Insurance issued by AAI Limited ABN 48 005 297 807 trading as GIO. Read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before buying this insurance. Target Market Determination is also available. This advice has been prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial situation or needs, so you should consider whether it is appropriate for you before acting on it. The information is intended to be of general nature only. We do not accept any legal responsibility for any loss incurred as a result of reliance upon it – please make your own enquiries.