10 ways to live an abundantly simple life every day

Do you find yourself wishing for a more simple existence?  Maybe you feel like you are grinding, hustling, doing all the things…but for what?  Does living simpler sound like a dream?  It doesn’t have to!  Here are 10 things I do to live simply every day, without sacrificing abundance. 

Simple Starts

Set an alarm or do whatever it takes, but get up at the same time every day. If your daily schedule changes, then you may end up with a little extra time for yourself. I have found that my internal alarm clock will usually get me up at about the same time anyway, so if my alarm clock is set for later, I end up wasting a lot of time telling myself that I need to get up and start the day. Just get up and start the day already!

Simple Daily Routines

Set up daily routines, or systems. Systems help me keep our house and my mind in order. One system I have in place is filing paperwork the moment it comes in the mail (after I’ve looked at it, of course). I have recently began a filing system where all of my bills go in a separate sleeve in a binder designated to this year the order they are received, along with any other special paperwork. I also have a couple cleaning/tidying systems. I do a load of laundry in the morning and, if needed a load of dishes at night. I also do a reset in the evening. Blankets get folded and put away, dishes get put in the dishwasher, shoes and toys get put away. This is something that involves the whole family so I don’t feel like I’m keeping the house together alone.

Simple Timers

I live by timers and alarms. It’s just the season of life I am in right now. My days are different from one to the next, and I trust my alarms to get me where I need to be on time. I check these at the end of the day for the following to assess the day ahead and make sure I am ready. Timers can be just as helpful. Drink coffee every morning? Set it up the night before and use a timer to turn on automatically. I also use a timer on our dishwasher if I don’t want to use the hot water while people are taking showers. Don’t forget about timers and alarms when setting up systems. They can be very useful!

Simple Quiet Time

I try really hard to have my alone time every morning. Time set aside to sit, reflect, read scripture, and talk to God is really important to my day. And guess what? It’s important to my family’s day, too. If I am centered in God’s word, my mind is in a good place to take care of the people around me. I know it can be difficult to have this time to yourself in the morning, but if at all possible, work towards it. For me, it can be the difference between asking for help in the morning versus asking for forgiveness in the evening. It’s a proactive approach to the day.

Simple Reset

I know I already mentioned this with systems, but I thought it was important enough to say it again. At the end of the day, reset your space. Whether you have children or not, there is undoubtedly a mess in your home by the end of the day. Set a timer, and just pick up what you can. When the timer goes off, quit! We have stairs, and I make sure to put things in a basket on the stairs during the day for me to take up at the end of the day, or the next time I head that direction. I have gotten my children in the same mindset as well. Turn it into a game, sing a song, and before you know it, they will look forward (mostly) to clean up time!

This is also very helpful when I come downstairs for my quiet time. It’s much easier for me to feel at peace when the space around me is picked up. I certainly don’t want to feel like I have to do this before my day even begins!

Simple Exercise

Move your body! This is separate from your quiet time. Quiet time takes care of your mind. Exercising takes care of your body! This is constantly changing for me to keep me from getting in a rut, and it has looked differently in different seasons of life. Some days it’s taking a 20-30 minute walk. For you, it might mean catching a class at your local YMCA. Perhaps in your season of life, moving your body is chasing your toddler around the back yard. Right now, I am a subscribed member of BeachBody online so I can do my workouts from home because that’s what works best for me. Do what works best for you, and don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day (or two).

Simple Meals

If there is one thing I do that saves my sanity is taking ONE weekly trip to the grocery store. But taking one grocery trip means that I need to plan ahead. I look at the week ahead, make note of any evening events that will require either a quick meal or a meal out. I also ask the family what meals they want and create a meal plan based on our needs and desires for that week (including school lunches and snacks). Then I make the grocery list. Every once in a while I forget something or it’s unavailable. But meal planning and thinking ahead has kept the extra trips to a minimum.

Simple Errands

In addition to planning meals, I also plan errands, to the best of my ability. Sure, I run into the occasional “emergency” errand, but if I can get most or all errands completed in one setting, I save time, energy, sanity AND money! Sometimes waiting for my errand day allows me to consider if the errand is really all that important at all. Waiting can save me time and money!

Simple Expectations

As I said before, you will inevitably make a mess in your home on a daily basis. And we do, too. With two children, I have had to learn to let A LOT go! I used to be the kind of person that didn’t “allow” clutter or messes in our home. Over the years with little ones and furry ones, full time jobs and a lot to do, I have learned that keeping a mess-free home simply isn’t possible to do. I have had to embrace the mess and learn to clean up at the end of the day WITH the kids.

When the kids were little, we had an expectation in our home that when we are finished with one toy, we put it away before getting out another one.  And now that they are older, we are seeing the fruit of that mindset. Don’t get me wrong, there are still many messes, but they are more proactive at recognizing how the messes make them feel and cleaning them up isn’t a battle.

Simple Daily Goals

Each morning, especially on those days you know are going to be busy, set a couple of daily goals.  Write them down.  I suggest writing them on a post it note so you can stick it wherever you are and mark them off as you complete them.  Without goals, I will find myself checking social media WAY too often, or finding little projects in the house to do that aren’t on my list!  When the list is complete, the rest of the day is yours (sort of).

BONUS-Simple Enjoyment

At the end of the day, the best way to live simply is to simply love those that you are with. If you are stressed out or worried that things are out of place or order, your focus is off of the most important part of living. When forced to choose, always choose time with family or loved ones over time cleaning or preparing. You will NOT regret it!

I know what you’re probably thinking: There is NO way this gal does all of these things every day!  And guess what?  You’re right!  I am not able to do all of these things every single day.  I’m not Superwoman!!  I do try very hard to do Most of them on Most days, AND, I have found that the days I am able to do these things, I am much more relaxed (as counterintuitive as that sounds), feel much more accomplished at the end of the day, and live and love more joyfully.  If it’s not worth it for that, I don’t know what is!

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring it’s own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today. –Matthew 6:34 NLT

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