How To Simplify Your Life

Steps to Slow Down and Enjoy Life

How To Simplify Your Life for More Freedom

Quick Answer: How Can You Slow Down and Enjoy Life?

To slow down and enjoy life:

• Reflect on your priorities

• Make intentional changes

• Declutter your space and mind

• Cut back on time-wasters

• Slow your daily pace

• Create a plan that balances family, health, and happiness

Living simply isn’t about sacrifice—it’s about creating more space for what really matters.

Why Simplicity Matters

Life moves fast. We often get caught up in what seems urgent but miss what’s truly important—family, health, happiness.

Research shows that simplifying your life reduces stress, and can improve sleep, mood, and energy. For me, that shift started with reflecting on what really mattered.

👉 See my full collection of strategies on my Empowered Living Mom Mode page

Step 1: Reflection

Years ago, I realized I was running on autopilot. I needed to focus on what mattered: my health, my happiness, and my family.

Tips for reflection:

• Ask: Am I happy with how I spend my time?

• Journal about what feels draining vs. energizing.

• Use tools like my  Self-Care for Moms Guide to reset focus.

Step 2: Make Changes

Start small—small steps build big results.

• Decide what’s important: Who and what gets your time?

• Live in the moment: 👉 My 7 ways to live in the moment. 

• Focus on people: Be fully present with family/friends.

• Find simple pleasures: List 5 things that make you smile and do them weekly. For me it's being in nature like taking a hike or sitting by a lake. 

• Make a mini bucket list: Start with 10 small, meaningful goals, a "mini" bucket list.

Make time for yourself and family.

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Step 3: Get Rid of the Clutter

Clutter steals time, energy, and peace. Did you know 80% of what we own we never use?

Benefits of decluttering:

• Less stress

• More efficiency (you’ll save ~55 minutes/day!)

• Calmer mind + home

• Inspires family to do the same

💡 I decluttered room by room, closet by closet, donating books, toys, clothes, and more. You could start with the opposite of Project 100 by getting rid of 100 items. 

👉 My full system is in my book: How to Declutter Your Life - A Step-By-Step Guide

Get Rid of the Clutter

Step 4: Ask Yourself What Takes Up Your Time

I cut back on volunteering, reduced my flower beds, and eliminated nagging little stressors (like the bush in my backyard that annoyed me for 7 years—I finally cut it down).

Ask yourself:

• Which commitments drain me?

• Which tasks don’t add value?

• Can I delegate, automate, or let them go?

Step 5: Slow Down Your Pace

Technology was supposed to give us more time, but it often steals it. Instead of filling every gap with busyness, try:

• Simplify your to-do list to 3 key tasks/day

• Automate bills, errands, and shopping

• Disconnect from devices daily

• Reduce debt + financial stress

• Limit negative relationships, nurture positive ones

• Delegate tasks at home/work

• Reevaluate old goals—they may not serve you anymore

👉 Check out my Life Hacks Live Your Best Life [Simplify & Declutter] Tips 

Step 6: Create Your Plan and Check Off Items

Write it down. Make a checklist of changes and celebrate progress. This builds momentum.

Step 7: Time to Enjoy Your Life

Now comes the reward: more time for family, hobbies, self-care, and rest.

Slowing down isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing what matters most.

FAQ: Slowing Down and Simplifying

Q: Does slowing down mean being unproductive?
A: No—it means focusing on what matters, so your productivity supports your happiness.

Q: How do I start living simply?
A: Begin by reflecting on your priorities and decluttering your space. Small wins lead to bigger changes.

Q: Can decluttering really reduce stress?
A: Yes. Studies show clutter increases cortisol (the stress hormone). Clearing your space clears your mind.

Q: How do I balance family, work, and self-care?
A: Create boundaries, say no when needed, and schedule daily “me time”—even 10 minutes counts.

Final Reflection

For me, simplifying my life meant:

• Cutting back on unnecessary commitments

• Clearing clutter that weighed me down

• Choosing quality time with family

• Reconnecting with self-care and purpose

Life is too short to rush through it. By slowing down, you’ll find the freedom to truly enjoy the journey.

 How I Simplified My Own Life (Real Examples)

Slowing down isn’t just theory—I had to make tough choices and changes. Here are a few of the ways I personally simplified:

• Cut Back on Volunteering → I reduced from 6 groups down to 3, freeing up more time for family and self-care.

• Scaled Back Gardening → I love flowers, but big beds took up too many weekends. Downsizing saved time, money, and energy.

• Removed a Stress Trigger → A backyard bush bugged me for 7 years. One day, I cut it down—and instantly felt lighter.

• Decluttered Closets & Rooms → If I hadn’t worn it in a year, I donated it. I cleared books, clothes, toys, linens, and more. This freed space and reduced stress.

• Simplified My Weekends → Less weeding and less yard work meant more time Jeeping, hiking, or just relaxing with my family.

• Automated Tasks → Online bill pay and streamlining errands cut down wasted time.

• Said No More Often → I learned to protect my time and energy by not saying yes to everything.

These small but intentional changes created a ripple effect. Each one gave me back not just time—but peace of mind.

Declutter your Stuff! 

Benefits of Decluttering

Clutter is more than just “stuff” lying around—it lingers in the back of your mind, adding invisible stress. Once you clear it, you’ll notice benefits that ripple through every part of your life.

• Efficiency – Without piles of “to-dos” staring at you, you can focus better and get tasks done faster.

• Calm – An uncluttered space brings mental clarity. When your home feels lighter, so does your mind.

• Inspiration – Decluttering motivates those around you. My own kids began sorting through their things once they saw me doing it.

• Time Savings – Studies show decluttering can save up to 55 minutes a day that’s otherwise wasted searching for things. That’s hours each week reclaimed.

• Improved Mood – Walking into a clean, simplified room instantly lifts stress. You’ll feel happier and more relaxed.

• More Space for Joy – By letting go of what you don’t need, you make room—literally and emotionally—for what truly matters.

💡 Tip: Try a “donate 100 items” challenge to kickstart the process. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to breathe in your own home.

Do the things you enjoy!