Living simply means prioritizing what's truly essential and eliminating the unnecessary. It's about focusing on quality over quantity, both in material possessions and life experiences.

A simple lifestyle advocates mindfulness, intentionality, and a return to basics, which in turn contributes to lower stress levels, greater mental clarity, and a more fulfilling existence.

It enables you to free up time, space, and energy to invest in things that genuinely matter—like relationships, personal growth, and well-being—making it a universally beneficial approach to life. Click here to read about what exactly entails a simplified life.

Living a more simple life doesn't require a complete overhaul. Small, consistent actions can make a significant impact.

 

Here are some 10-minute tasks to help you embark on a journey towards a simpler, more fulfilling life:

Choose one from each category or rotate and dedicate 10 minutes a day to practicing something from the lists below: 

 

Declutter and Organize

Taking just 10 minutes a day to organize and declutter small spaces can have many positive benefits for your well-being and daily life. It's also a manageable way to make regular progress without feeling overwhelmed, fostering a long-term habit of responsible consumption and mindfulness.

From improving mental clarity to saving time searching for items, these small daily efforts offer a pathway to a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.

If you need help getting started and want to declutter with our support,contact us today for a FREE consultation.

How to start 10 minute organization sessions:

Pick a drawer, a cabinet, a box, or any small space in your home that you use often but tend to neglect. Remove all its contents, quickly sort through them, and only put back what you actually need. Discard or donate the rest.

Take 10 minutes to look through your pantry. Discard expired items and make a list of essentials you're running low on. This will help streamline your grocery shopping and reduce food waste.

Fill a small bag with clothes you no longer need and drop it off at a donation box. You'll simplify your wardrobe and help others at the same time.

Take 10 minutes to go through your wallet or purse. Remove unnecessary cards, expired coupons, and accumulate trash. Simplifying these frequently-used items can bring a surprising sense of relief.

Look through your medicine cabinet and safely dispose of any expired or unused medications. This not only declutters but also ensures your healthcare is more streamlined and safe.

Switch it up sometimes and turn to digital organization! Take 10 minutes to organize and delete photos that are duplicates or didn't turn out. Clear up your desktop on your computer and delete old files or folders you no longer need. 

The idea here is to start small and work in small, manageable batches so you don't get overwhelmed. If 10 minutes have passed and you're on a roll, keep going! 

 

Plan and Prepare

Planning and preparation are integral elements of a simplified lifestyle, serving as the backbone that supports intentional living.

When you plan effectively, you create a roadmap that guides your actions, helping you focus on what's truly essential and avoid unnecessary distractions or commitments. This clarity and focus can reduce stress, save time, and contribute to a more harmonious life.

Being prepared allows you to put your plans into action in a seamless and efficient manner. It eliminates last-minute scrambles and waste, whether that's in the context of meal prep to avoid unhealthy eating, pre-organizing your workday to boost productivity, or decluttering to maintain a tidy living space. By being prepared, you're better equipped to face daily challenges, which adds to the mental bandwidth you have for things that truly matter.

Plan and prep to live more mindfully, make intentional choices, and lead a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.

Here are some practical examples that demonstrate how planning and preparation can go hand-in-hand with living simply:

1. Meal Planning and Prep: Plan your meals for the week and prepare ingredients in advance. This helps you avoid the stress of last-minute cooking and reduces the likelihood of opting for fast food or unhealthy choices.
2. Create a To-Do List for Tomorrow: Take a 10 minutes before bed to jot down your top 3 to-dos for the next day. This will help declutter your mind and allow you to start your day with a clear focus.
3. Budgeting and Financial Goals: Plan a monthly budget and prepare by setting up automatic transfers to savings accounts or debt repayment plans. This simplifies financial management and helps you live within your means.
4. Emergency Kits: Prepare emergency kits for your home and car, so you're not scrambling when unexpected situations arise. The planning part involves listing essential items like food, water, first aid, and important documents.
5. Family Calendars: Use a shared family calendar to plan activities, chores, and important dates. Preparation could involve weekly family meetings to discuss upcoming commitments and adjust plans accordingly.

 

 

Relax

Taking a few moments out of your day to relax can make a significant difference in your overall well-being. Here are some 10-minute activities designed to help you unwind:

1. Deep Breathing: Sit in a comfortable position and practice deep breathing techniques. Inhale through your nose, hold for a few seconds, and exhale through your mouth. Repeat for 10 minutes to help relax your body and mind.

2. Quick Stretch: Stand up and stretch your arms, legs, and back. Focus on areas that feel tense and hold each stretch for a few seconds. This can release built-up tension and improve circulation.

3. Mini Meditation: Close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing or a particular thought. Let go of any distractions and try to keep your mind as still as possible.

4. Herbal Tea Break: Make a cup of herbal tea like chamomile or peppermint. The process of brewing and sipping tea can be a calming ritual. Make it intentional by finding a comfortable spot and being present in the moment (no phones or work at the same time...)

5. Listen to Music: Create a playlist of your favorite calming songs and listen to it for 10 minutes. Music has the power to change your mood and relax your mind.

6. Outdoor Break: Step outside and get some fresh air. Whether it’s your balcony, yard, or a nearby park, spending a few moments in nature can be refreshing.

7. Visualization: Close your eyes and visualize a peaceful scene—perhaps a beach, forest, or mountain. Imagine yourself there, taking in all the sights, sounds, and sensations.

8. Gratitude Journal: Spend 10 minutes jotting down things you’re grateful for. Focusing on positive aspects of your life can shift your mindset and reduce stress.

9. Foot Soak: Fill a basin with warm water and add some Epsom salts or essential oils. Soak your feet for 10 minutes to relieve stress and fatigue.

10. Doodle: If you are like me, you may not be able to sit in one spot for very long without feeling like you need to do something. This activity helps because you're switching off your mind but your hands are still busy! Grab some paper and a writing utensil and just doodle shapes, lines or patterns. Don't fuss over what it will be, or try to make "art" - just doodle for the sake of putting ink onto paper and see how that makes you feel in the end!
11. Sleep: Go to bed ten minutes earlier than you normally do. Use this 10 minutes to actually sleep or reflect on the day, daydream or do some of the breathing and meditation exercises above. 

 

Consume Less

Consuming less doesn't just benefit your mind and your wallet; it's also a step towards a more sustainable and mindful lifestyle. Here are some 10-minute activities that can help you consume less:

1. Audit Subscriptions: Take a quick look at your subscriptions—magazines, streaming services, software—and consider canceling ones you don't regularly use.

2. Food Inventory: Before going grocery shopping, spend 10 minutes checking what you already have in your pantry and fridge. This helps you avoid buying duplicates or unnecessary items.

3. Digital Unsubscribe: Spend time unsubscribing from marketing emails. Less temptation in your inbox can lead to fewer impulsive online purchases.

4. Digital Detox: Spend 10 minutes deleting apps you don't use on your phone or unfollowing accounts on social media that encourage consumerism. Go through your documents, downloads, and desktop. Delete unnecessary files, old downloads, and anything else you no longer need.

5. Social Media Detox: Take 10 minutes to go through your social media accounts. Unfollow or mute accounts that no longer align with your values or interests. This can make your online experience more meaningful and less stressful.
6. Limit Notifications: To reduce digital noise and distractions, limit or turn off non-essential notifications on your devices.

 

Live with Intention

Living with intention means making conscious choices that align with your values, goals, and aspirations. Even small, 10-minute actions can significantly contribute to a more purposeful life. Here are some ideas:

1. Set Daily Goals: Spend a few moments each morning setting clear, achievable goals for the day. This will help you focus your energy and time on what really matters.

2. Reflect on Gratitude: Take 10 minutes to write down three things you’re grateful for. Gratitude can shift your mindset, encourage a positive outlook, and make you more conscious of good things in your life.

3. Prioritize Tasks: Before diving into work or chores, spend a few minutes prioritizing your tasks. Determine what must be done today and what can wait, allowing you to focus on what’s truly important.

4. Mindfulness Practice: Spend 10 minutes practicing mindfulness. Whether it’s meditating, deep-breathing exercises, or simply sitting quietly to focus on the present, this can help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings.

5. Check-in with Loved Ones: Spend 10 minutes reaching out to a family member or friend to check in on how they're doing. Quality relationships are key to a fulfilling life, and intentionality in maintaining these relationships is crucial.

6. Evaluate Expenses: Take 10 minutes to review your recent expenditures. Are they aligned with your financial goals and values? Use this time to adjust your budget or set new saving objectives.

7. Revisit Goals: Spend 10 minutes revisiting your longer-term goals. Are you on track? Do you need to make any adjustments to your plans or activities to better align with these goals?

 

Living a simplified life doesn't require monumental changes; it's often the small, deliberate actions that make the biggest difference.

By setting aside just 10 minutes a day for focused activities—whether it's decluttering a small space, prioritizing tasks, or practicing mindfulness—you create a ripple effect of positive change.

These bite-sized investments not only bring immediate clarity and relief, but they also lay the foundation for long-term habits that align with a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.

 

Need some help to get started with your home?

We can:

• declutter any space you want or need
• organize with practical systems, solutions and functional storage
• provide all materials and procure all necessary items to complete the transformation
• complete any handy work including patching that hole you made 2 years ago, installing shelving units, hanging painting etc...
• provide optional design and decor suggestions and solutions
• finish off with an optional deep clean to leave your home sparkling and new so you can enjoy the newly organized and relaxing space

If you need help getting started and want to declutter with our support,contact us today for a FREE consultation.

We guarantee that the organizational systems we teach you, and put in place, will stay! Now is the time to get organized and start living in a home that you love!