Life hacks for a better life? Achieving a simple life at home despite it being madness all the time? Also, finding time for self-care? It must be a joke, right?
I agree. Looking around, you might feel like nothing is in control and that life is a big mess. But what if I tell you creating a simple life at home is the key to achieving peace of mind and sorting everything else?
It’s funny how we ignore that one thing where we spend so much of our time – our homes.
Sorting life at home is like hitting the reset button for your entire existence! But if we ignore it, chaos slowly turns into that uninvited roommate that never leaves. Imagine spending your mornings hunting for keys, socks, or that one document you swore was on the table. Stress piles up, and suddenly, even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
And these life hacks will help you achieve it.
Life Hack 1: Decluttering – Saying goodbye to the excess
Decluttering is the biggest hurdle, so tackle it first to set the tone for your journey. You do not have to worry about making it grand or achieving big milestones. Simply focus on making small but impactful changes each day. Here’s how you can approach it:
- Start small: Don’t try to declutter the whole house at once. You can pick one drawer, one shelf, or one corner at a time and slowly keep adding to your list.
- The “one in, one out” rule: Whenever you bring something new into the house, try to get rid of something old. But you must be honest about it, and once you get into this habit, you will see magic happen.
- Ask the tough questions: For each item, you have to ask yourself: Have I used this in the last year? Do I love it? Is it useful? If the answer is no to most of the questions, it is time to let go.
- Have designated boxes: You can assign a dedicated box for donations, trash, and items to sell. This will make the process much smoother and help you save time for later.
- Celebrate small wins: Even decluttering one drawer should feel like a victory! Do yourself a favour by being your own cheerleader and acknowledging progress. It will help you remain motivated and continue following the practice.
Life Hack 2: Organising – Finding a place for everything
Once you declutter, you can next focus on organising what is left. All you need to do is create a system that works for you and stick to it.
- Everything has a home: You have to make sure that every item has a designated spot at home. This drastically reduces the time spent searching for things, but more than that, it helps achieve a space that inspires productivity, focus, and peace of mind.
- Use vertical space: Try investing in some shelves and organisers to maximise storage, especially in cupboards and closets. You have no idea how much more space can be utilised at home in smart and unique ways.
- Clear containers: One game-changer that helped me lessen my visual load and increase my organisational skills? Switching to clear storage containers so I could easily see what was inside. Trust me on this one.
- Label everything: Labels can actually help you save a lot of time because they make finding things so much easier, especially in storage areas.
- Think about flow: Here is a trick that can be applied anywhere, but in the context of your home, this is super helpful. Consider how you move through your home and place frequently used items in easily accessible spots.
Life Hack 3: Digital Detox – Unplugging to reconnect
Simplifying life shouldn’t be just about physical clutter; it must also include digital clutter. I will be honest; it can be tricky because our phones control us and not the other way around. But achieving that simple life requires getting back control over our phones. Here is how you can do:
- Set screen time limits: Set daily limits on your phone and social media apps. It will be tough at first, but you will soon realise its worth as you progress in this journey.
- Designated “no phone” zones: Please understand this right away – if you must win against your phone, then your bedroom and dining table must be phone-free zones. The less time you spend with gadgets, the better your life will be.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted emails: Take some specific time out and spend some time unsubscribing from newsletters and promotional emails that are cluttering your inbox.
- Organise digital files: A simple trick is to create folders on your computer to organise documents and photos. Not only will it help keep things in place and find them later, but it will also help you clear all the unwanted files immediately.
- Schedule “digital breaks”: You have to do this intentionally. You must diligently fix a time, step away from all screens, and be present. Choose to spend quality time with your family or friends over that annoying screen.
Life Hack 4: Creating Routines – Establishing structure
Routines can be your weapon towards maintaining a simpler life. They provide structure and help make decisions faster. But how can you set it better? Here’s what I follow:
- Morning routine: I have established a simple morning routine that sets me up for a positive day. You can include yoga, meditation, reading a chapter, exercising/taking a walk, and having a healthy and balanced breakfast.
- Night routine: I have created a night routine to wind down, make plans for the next day, and prepare for sleep.
- Weekly cleaning schedule: I break down cleaning tasks into smaller, manageable chunks throughout the week. It makes it feel less overwhelming and also reduces clutter from building up.
- Meal planning: I started planning my meals for the week, which saves me cooking time and reduces food waste.
- Regular check-ins: I schedule time each week to catch up with family or friends, depending on convenience, but I make sure I do not fail to do it. I also utilise this time to review my professional progress and make necessary adjustments.
Life Hack 5: Self-Care – Nurturing the “self”
Simplifying life isn’t just about your home; it’s about taking care of yourself, too:
- Schedule “me time”: Make sure to schedule some time each day for activities that you enjoy, whether it’s reading, playing your favourite sport, or going for a walk.
- Practice mindfulness: I started incorporating short mindfulness exercises into my day to help me stay present. You can do the same, and I cannot stress enough how well this has helped me become more focused and intentional in my life.
- Prioritise sleep: I made sure I was getting enough sleep, which has made a huge difference in my energy levels and mood. So, please do not ignore your resting period because it helps repair the entire day’s hustle on your body and recharge it for the next day.
- Connect with loved ones: Make an effort to connect with friends and family, which is important for your well-being. Do things that you all will love, or simply spend some time catching up with them. It makes a lot of difference in life.
- Be kind to yourself: I learned to be more forgiving towards myself and to celebrate my progress, no matter how small. Please make it a point to start implementing this in your life if you aren’t already.
Cluttered spaces lead to cluttered minds – making it hard to focus or feel relaxed when everything screams, “Clean me!”. So, what to do? Declutter and create a simple life at home to regain focus at work, your personal space, your health, and life in general. You will always have a space to recharge yourself whenever necessary, and when there is clarity and peace at home, there will be clarity in life, too.
You can find more such simple but impactful ways of physical decluttering in our curated collection: The Little E-book on Physical Minimalism
This blog was written by Ayesha Mollah, a professional blogger who has embraced minimalism since 2023. Being on the minimalism journey is helping her find her "focus" amidst the chaos.
