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Simplify your life in

minutes…a dozen ways

by Maria Gracia Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest Simplify is available. Removing clutter from your mind, from your home, from your schedule, and from your life, is all part of simplifying. When you simplify your life, you can release the chaos and stress, and focus on everyone and everything meaningful. Here are a dozen ways for you to get started today…and each of them takes just minutes to accomplish. 1. Collect and call. Each day, collect 5 items around your home that you’re no longer in need of. Put them in a bag. Seven days later, call a local donation center for a curbside pick-up. Less is more, especially when it comes to simplifying your life. 2. Get comfy with saying “no.” When someone asks you to volunteer your time, if you want to do whatever it is, great! But if not, say “no” without regrets. Remember, you’re not saying no to the person, just to the request. 3. Weed out 10 pieces of paper you no longer need. Doing so is not overwhelming, doesn’t take much time, and helps you get a handle on your paper clutter. These unnecessary papers can come from your file folders, a paper pile on your dining room table, your briefcase…wherever. 4. Reconsider plastic cash. Try to get down to using just one or two credit/debit cards…and work on paying off and getting rid of the rest. Less to worry about…less chances to accrue interest charges. 5. Seek out “no-ironing-necessary” clothing…table/bed linens too.  Ironing is a big pain, and it’s time- consuming. If you’re looking to save time, don’t buy too much (or anything) that requires ironing. 6. Pad your time. Doing so helps ensure you’re not racing from one appointment to the next. 7. Get ready the night before. The best way to start each day on a prepared, organized note, is to do what you can the night before, like laying out the outfit you’re going to wear or being sure your tote bag/briefcase/backpack/purse is packed and ready to grab. 8. Focus your time and energy on the people who build you up. If you have toxic friendships, offline and online, there’s no better time to distance yourself and focus on those who lift your spirits and make you smile. 9. Write it down. No matter what it is, if you have to remember it, write it down…or take a photo of it if applicable. It’s much easier to remember whatever it is when there is a record of it. 10. Always have a “do nothing day” on your schedule. It’s amazing how wonderful this is…and how doing nothing one day can result in a more productive week ahead. 11. Give each item a home. And put it back in its home when you’re done with it. This means you’ll find it easily the next time you’re looking for it. 12. Delete some cell phone apps. Do you really need so many? The less you have, the easier it is to find the one you need. Store the most often used ones on your home screen. Back to Simplify Index