Do you dream of living a simple life, waking up without an alarm clock and doing activities that you enjoy instead of other people telling you what to do? People are caught up in the constant cycle of work, paying the bills, the mortgage and the cars. Even though they are earning a high salary they are still not able to save money and they are caught in the modern spending trap.
Are you looking for ways to simplify your life and cut your spending? If yes, this blog post is for you! Living a simple life will not happen overnight, however, you can start making small changes that can lead to bigger changes. Living a simple life does not mean that you need to escape to a cabin in the mountains, although if that is your wish you will find a way and there is nothing stopping you.
Instead most people decide to keep their home and initially make small changes to their lifestyle. Whatever you decide, you always have a choice to improve your life. Here are some ways that have worked for me and I hope they can help you too.
Living a simple life requires a lot of planning and organising in the beginning but once you have planned what you want from life, it can get easier.
Here are some simple ways to start living a simple life:
1. Start decluttering your home
I have found that letting go of things I no longer need is the first step in living a simple life. You will realise that a lot of stuff that you have accumulated over the years has just been using space in your home. There is probably negative energy attached when items haven’t been used for a long time. You might consider selling things that still look new and can be useful for other people. If you no longer need it, get rid of it and use the money from the sale to pay off any debts.
2. Stop paying for unnecessary expenses
If you don’t need to call long distance, look at ways of reducing your monthly landline and mobile bills. If your mobile phone still works and you’ve only had it for a few years, you probably don’t need an upgrade. Research different options and see if you are able to get a good package deal for both your landline, internet and mobile phone. Stop paying for subscriptions, books or magazines that are sent to you every month but you don’t have time to read them.
If you have an expensive gym membership, look at cheaper options and if you are a student, check to see if you can get discount rates. Alternatively buy exercise equipment and exercise at home, it can work out cheaper in the future. Check all your expenses and any direct debits, services you are no longer using! You’ll be amazed at all the unnecessary expenses that have been draining your bank account! Stop using your credit card until you have paid off the debt. Credit cards can be the highest expense every month as you are paying for the interest too!
3. Learn to make your own natural products
Look at ways to make your own products, it will cost less and your body will be healthier. There are recipes online, learn how to make your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash and deodorant without all the nasty chemicals. You can make your own natural cleaning products for the house and reduce your expenses significantly. Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it.
4. Buy what you need.
Write a list of things you need to buy every month and go shopping once a week WITH YOUR LIST. Don’t buy unnecessary things you don’t need. Plan your meals for the week ahead and use the ingredients. Look at making fresh homemade food instead of buying take away meals. Try to use all your ingredients so you don’t waste anything. If you don’t need new clothes you don’t need to buy an extra pair of shoes or another dress that you might forget about wearing anyway. Keep your wardrobe simple with classic essentials that you can mix and match.
5. Let go of anything that no longer serves you
This is easier said than done. However, sometimes it takes time to realise that a job, person or situation that you thought meant the world to you no longer resonates with your soul and that’s okay! If you are not happy in a situation and you continue to stay in your comfort zone you might be losing valuable time and your life can become more complicated. It is always your choice what you decide and no one can tell you how to live your life. Write all the positives and all the negatives on a piece of paper and make a DECISION. Instead of wasting many years of your life in the wrong job, career and in a relationship that is just existing. Listen to your heart and take action to change any part of your life so you can live a happy and fulfilling life. I spent over fifteen years working in soul destroying jobs, only for the security of a paycheck. Don’t waste the best years of your life, when you feel the call in your soul, start listening and take action sooner rather than later.
Life is filled with lessons for our soul’s journey. You are here for a reason to live a purpose filled life. Learning to simplify your life and letting go of anything that no longer serves you can give you the quality and time that you deserve. When you start simplifying your life, you are letting go of the past, negative energy and you are creating space for new situations, people to enter your life. If you are able to simplify your life, you will create more time for new energy, positive people and situations to enter your life. You can try new things and live a life of meaning with happy memories rather than one filled with unnecessary material things.