The older we get, the more we want to focus on the little things in our lives. Life can get busy, chaotic, and overwhelming. Especially as older adults, it can feel harder and harder to manage life’s chaos, from planning for retirement to paying bills and fulfilling your goals. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a step back and simplify things? Simple living can make you happier and help you feel more in control of your life, which means you’ll be able to enjoy it all a little bit better.
Simple living will mean something different for everyone, but in general, it means stripping away as much of the extra noise and chaos in your life so you can have time to appreciate all the things you love and enjoy that you might not have time for now.
Not sure where to start? Here are 5 tips to help you simplify your life.
Change your mindset
Before you begin, you must think about what you want to simplify in your life and why. What’s your motivation? What could hold you back from achieving these goals? By figuring out your end goal, you’ll be able to break it down into smaller parts that you can achieve more quickly. By setting realistic goals for yourself, you’ll be more likely to get started and reach your end goal, whatever that means for you!
Decluttering isn’t just about your possessions
If we tell you to declutter your life, your mind probably goes to your overflowing closet or that one junk drawer in the kitchen that we all have but don’t want to admit to. As beneficial as decluttering your physical possessions can be, you have to declutter everything to move towards a simple life. Our lives are full of commitments, jobs, family time, volunteering, or church. No matter what the responsibilities are in your life, sit down and write them all out. Seeing them all written down on paper can be quite an eye-opening experience! Look at each item and think about which ones you enjoy and which add value to your life. Figure out if it’s truly worth investing your time and energy in. It’s time to learn how to say no! Getting rid of tasks that don’t bring you joy (as long as they’re not necessary tasks, like cleaning the bathroom) will leave you with more time to do what you truly love!
Automate billing where possible
Managing bill payments is one of the most annoying and time-consuming tasks we face as adults. Nobody wants to sort through a huge pile of mail and then go through it individually to pay each bill. Whether you’re writing a check or sending a transfer, it still takes time and energy that you could be spending elsewhere. Most utilities can be paid online, and for some, you may be able to set automatic payments, so you don’t even have to think about it! You can also opt for paperless billing to send statements via email, eliminating the annoying mail piles cluttering your coffee table.
Declutter & Downsize
We’ve talked about decluttering your calendar and freeing up your time, but decluttering your space is just as important. As overwhelming as it can seem, downsizing and decluttering can help create a simple, stress-free, and safer environment. As we get older, we tend to collect more things than we need, whether its clothes, knick-knacks, or books. They’re taking up space, probably collecting dust. Of course, it’s reasonable to save items that have sentimental value for you, like family heirlooms. But, those items you never use and don’t have use for can be donated to find a new home, and you’ll free up space and create a less crowded environment for yourself!
Take time to relax
Take a second and think about the last time you sat down in silence with no distractions and no responsibilities. For most of us, that was probably a long time ago! Taking a silent moment for yourself can not only help you reflect on your life and the world around you. But, it can also help you relax, destress, and clear the negativity cluttering your mind!
As you declutter your commitments, routines, and home, remember that it doesn’t just stop after this one round of decluttering. It’s all about saying no to things that aren’t necessary and don’t bring you happiness to prevent more clutter from entering your life. Keep it simple!
Getting older and entering retirement usually means more downtime, but it can still be important to find a routine and hobbies that make you happy! Finding a retirement community that fits your needs can be a great way to live a simple life and rediscover the little joys in life. Whether you just really don’t want to cook dinner every night or you want to find a club or activity that you love, Trillium Communities is here to help!