As the end of a year approaches, I always come back to how to simplify life heading into the new year. I don’t know if it’s the never-ending holiday shopping, hectic schedule or just the stress, but ending the holidays usually leaves me exhausted and craving more minimalism. The start of a fresh year is the perfect time to prioritize simplicity.
Below are 16 ways I made days more simple in 2016 and will add to this list in 2017. Pick and choose the ones that apply to your life, and enjoy the ease that accompanies the shift:
- Eat the same thing for breakfast each day until you get sick of it.
- Finally hire that house cleaner and give up something else instead to afford it. I gave up mani/pedis so often.
- Find 10-15 meals that you and your family love and that are quick to make. Plan your weekly dinners around these meals and keep it that until the season changes.
- Keep your nails bare.
- Take an hour to log into all your bill accounts and set up direct payment with your credit card. This will lead to building points, travel, etc. on your CC and you’ll never have to wonder which card to update when one expires.
- Buy a Keurig. No more cleaning the coffee pot daily.
- If you have a significant other but don’t have a joint account, use one card to pay for all your shared expenses. At the end of the month, simply split that bill instead of figuring out who owes who what.
- Use Instacart if you don’t have time for grocery shopping.
- Spend 2 minutes at the end of your workday to declutter your desk.
- When ordering at restaurants, go down the menu until you find something that sounds good. Close the menu and order that.
- Buy multi-tasking makeup. I use Aquaphor for my lips, as eye cream, and to keep my eyebrows in place. Easy and affordable!
- Set an alarm for once a month to update your computer, phone, all electronics.
- Ask your pharmacy to get you on a recurring system to mail your medications.
- Shower at night and air-dry your hair.
- Keep wrapping paper, boxes, ribbons, and blank cards at your house for birthdays and celebrations that sneak up on you. Also keep small gifts (candles—everyone loves this scent, wine, candy) stocked up too.
- Unsubscribe from all the BS emails and any social media accounts that don’t bring you joy!
Life feels a little more simple already right?! I urge you to add some of these practices into your 2017. Enjoy!
25 comments
great ideas! definitely going to implement some of them next year. cheers to 2017!
-kim
midnight snark
Love this, definitely a couple that I’m going to take on board for the new year – thank you
– Natalie
http://www.workovereasy.com
Thanks for the great tips! I’m definitely going to try a few of them, starting with No. 1.
I also recommend unroll.me to roll up all your email subscriptions into one email. Your inbox is cleaner and you keep all those shopping coupons/newsletters in one place!!
Love this post! Yes, a Keurig does make everyone’s life easier! x
tranquilsundays.weebly.com
I’ve already been working on some of these! Yesterday I unsubscribed from all junk email and got my inbox down to ZERO unread messages. It felt SO GOOD. I’m also taking showers at night, so 1) I’m making sure to wash my face at night and 2) I don’t have to deal with drying my hair in the morning. I love it, and it makes my mornings so much less hectic. Looking forward to the new year!
http://www.wonderlandsam.com
Great ideas. I will definitely try them.
http://societyfix.blogspot.com.eg/
I have to follow your tips!
Don’t miss today on the blog my December outfit recap…concentrated inspiration including ideas for New Year’s Eve !
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❤Kisses from http://www.withorwithoutshoes.com ❤
Thanks for your tips, Great life , Great look
https://www.fsjshoes.com/classic-series/
Great ideas – especially eating the same breakfast until you are sick of it!
Definitely planning on implementing some of these into my routine of 2017! Great post!
http://www.bluelabelsboutique.com
http://www.fashionnotfear.wordpress.com
GREAT!!!
Great post!
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
I entirely agree with starting with a clean slate in the new year. It just gives such a great feeling of peace and accomplishment. However, I read last night that those Keurig machines are actually horrible for the environment (http://i.imgur.com/G0O8l3o.png?1). Rethinking our relationship with the products we buy is in general something I’d like to put on my list of 2017 which will certainly help simplify life.
Hey Geri,
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Such great tips! Thank you for sharing them!
x Annabelle
travelsandtea.com
Thanks for the tips, happy new year!
xx
Xin
http://xincerely.blogspot.com
Interesting choice about keeping your nails bare! Also, good tip about keeping gift wrapping stuff in the house. I always find myself going out last minute to grab something to wrap it in!
xo, Sofia
http://www.thecozie.co
Ummm LOVE THIS! Thank YOU!
Love this! Already put a couple into action. Such small and simple ideas to make you feel less stressed and lighter. Some good habits for being organised.
All great advice but the Keurig- these things create so much waste, that even the creator regrets his own invention. You should edit the post to include advice about getting a reusable coffee filter for it.
Love this Post! You’re the coolest Geri.