15 Simple Living Habits for a Calmer, Happier You

Ferris Bueller once said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

And that was before social media, emails and WhatsApp notifications.

We’ve never been busier, more connected and more constantly available. Those lazy 1980s summers of baseball games and land-line phone calls are now just fodder for nostalgic TikToks.

We hardly remember what it’s like being bored. What it’s like sitting through lunch without checking our phones or going shopping to a real-life physical mall.

Life these days is busier, bigger and faster than ever before. We live with packed calendars and maxed-out credit cards while scrolling unrealistic social media feeds.

But at the same time, anxiety and depression are at all-time highs. Our fast-paced lives just aren’t making us happy.

A simple life feels like a nostalgic dream when you’re in survival mode just waiting for the weekend.

But IT IS possible to simplify your life – without quitting your day job or giving your entire family up for adoption.

And you don’t need to overhaul your entire closet and convert all your furniture to neutral basics.

Simple living is all about small but consistent habits that compound over time towards a calmer, less anxious life.

It’s not just about decluttering, spending less and turning into an aesthetic minimalist.

It’s about a rewarding life that prioritizes what truly matters.

Simple living means:

• reducing possessions, obligations and clutter
• prioritizing relationships, connections and community
• valuing happiness over status symbols and social expectations
• prioritizing well-being and living at an unhurried pace
• removing distractions and limiting social media

The benefits of simple living

Simplifying your life is going to transform your finances, relationships and mental and physical health.

Simple living improves your:

• Health: living with less stress means lower blood pressure, better sleep and a lower risk of heart attacks and anxiety.
• Time: when you eliminate busywork, your work-life balance improves and you get more quality time with loved ones.
• Relationships: your relationships instantly improve when you make them a priority.
• Money: simple living brings more financial independence. There’s no more pressure to buy the latest gadgets and keep up with the neighbors.

I’ve been living a simpler life for years – though I’m not perfect and I still struggle with limiting my social media sometimes.

But over the years, I’ve discovered how to realistically live a simpler life that doesn’t involve tossing my phone off a bridge and moving to the countryside.

Here are my time-tested tips that actually work.

1. Reduce your spending habits

Practice gratitude and be happy with what you have. Drop out of that constant race for the newer and better gadget.

Simple living means a simple home that’s decluttered and free from the overflowing piles of stuff that often cause so much anxiety and overwhelm.

But it also means being aware of your shopping habits so your home doesn’t end up getting cluttered again after you’ve decluttered.

2. Simplify your meals

Eat simpler meals with local ingredients.

Cook with heart while listening to a slow jazz playlist.

Savor your food and make real conversation. Turn off your TV for meals and leave all phones off the table. 

And if you’re constantly rushed and eat most of your meals on the run – or in front of your computer – then try meal prepping. Cook a batch of healthy ingredients in advance that you can just re-heat later for a quick and satisfying meal.

Buy a physical cookbook and try out some new recipes. Learn to enjoy the process of cooking as a sensory and meditative experience. Learn to appreciate the pleasures of slow food.

3. Simplify your schedule

Clear your calendar from obligations that don’t add value to your life and busywork that only feels productive.

Simple living means focusing on hobbies that bring you fulfillment over things that you should be doing.

Learn to say a kind but firm “no” to any get-togethers, activities and events that you’re not genuinely looking forward to.

4. Recognize marketing tactics

Learn about marketing and advertising strategies. When you’re aware of the various ploys that PR companies use to ensnare you into endless purchases, you’ll be less likely to fall into their web.

In a culture that says success is determined by your income, it’s crucial to realize that happiness isn’t synonymous with possessions.

Consumerism creates impossible ideals and aspirations. It teaches that whatever you have is never enough.

5. Quiet the digital noise

Hours in front of a screen slowly erode your empathy, attention span and communication skills.

Taking time away from your phone is the single most powerful step you can take towards a simpler life.

How to quiet the digital noise:

• Remove all social media apps from your phone and only check social media on your laptop. This hack makes it harder to spend hours watching cat videos in bed.
• Turn off all non-essential notifications and take weekends and evenings away from your phone. You don’t need your phone to ping whenever someone posts a new meme in your WhatsApp group.
• Don’t sleep with your phone next to you. This makes it easier to enjoy quiet mornings and evenings away from your feeds.
• Take a weekend digital detox and log out of all social media and put your phone away in another room. Then find something else to occupy your time.

6. Stop constantly checking your inbox

Dedicate specific times of the day to reply to emails instead of checking your inbox every few minutes.

Don’t reply to anything that doesn’t require your response and organize emails into folders for easy reference.

Give your colleague a call on the phone (or stop by their office) to clear up ongoing issues. Often a real-life conversation is much quicker than an endless stream of back-and-forth emails.

7. Watch less TV

Cut back on TV and you’ll see less of that hyper materialism in movies that depict unrealistic lifestyles.

Unwinding with a good series can be a relaxing end to a hectic day. But hours of TV every night leave you unmotivated and drained.

Limit your TV time and make space for more effective ways to relax. Pick up the latest novel, listen to an inspiring podcast or try a guided meditation.

It sounds counter-intuitive, but lounging in front of your TV every night doesn’t really count as real rest. It only gives your mind more content to race through instead of letting your mind relax.

8. Live within your means

Don’t spend what you don’t have on things you don’t need.

Work consciously to change the mindset that promises happiness with the next online purchase.

And remember that simple living isn’t about painful deprivation. It’s about freeing yourself from that unsatisfying cycle of desire.

You might get pushback from friends and family when you start cutting back. But don’t give in to social pressure to buy what you can’t afford.

9. Declutter your home

When you declutter, your physical possessions serve you instead of overpowering you. And that’s such a powerful feeling that you’re likely to simplify other spheres of your life.

How to declutter:

• Start small and keep your expectations realistic. Forget the full house weekend overhaul. Start with organizing one kitchen drawer or tackling a section of your wardrobe.
• Sort your clothes first. Your wardrobe is an easy place to start, and this will motivate you to tackle bigger challenges. Donate unwanted items and identify what you never wear by hanging worn clothes with the hanger in the reverse direction.
• Get rid of one item a day. Keep it simple and find one unused item a day to donate.

10. Single-task

Multitasking is actually a far less productive way to get things done.

Work goes much slower when you constantly switch your attention between a big project, an inbox full of emails and a chatty co-worker.

And while some interruptions can’t be avoided, you can simplify your workload by batching similar tasks together.

Spend a half hour replying to emails. Then dedicate an hour of focused time to a more challenging project. Set your timer and stay focused – and leave the messaging for later. Your ability to focus will improve with practice.

How to improve your focus:

• If your attention drifts easily, then start with short increments of focused time and increase them gradually.
• Use time blocking to identify your top priorities and make sure you’re dedicating time to them daily.
• Keep a notebook with a to-do list for your work and your personal life to save your brain from having to remember everything.

11. Stay realistic

Don’t expect too much of yourself when you’re simplifying your life. Sky-high expectations only lead to overwhelm and burn-out.

And while a weekend spent getting rid of all your possessions makes for a great YouTube video, it doesn’t work like that for everybody.

If you want a more minimal lifestyle, then start with small goals. Declutter a single item a day for a month. Or take an evening to organize one kitchen cupboard.

12. Start a gratitude journal

A gratitude journal is a powerful antidote to social media feeds that leave you comparing yourself to others.

It’s a powerful practice that wards off those nagging feelings that your life just isn’t good enough.

When you’re constantly bombarded with ads and social media posts, it’s easy to feel like your life is lackluster in comparison.

But when you practice gratitude, you appreciate life’s small pleasures. 

How to start a gratitude journal:

• Write in detail about 3 things you’re grateful for today.
• List 3 things that you value and appreciate about your partner or your family.
• Describe a challenge you’ve dealt with recently and what you learned from the experience.
• Write about the 3 people who’ve made the biggest positive impact in your life.

13. Embrace white space

You’re pushed at work and rewarded for high productivity. And this attitude often trickles down into your personal life too.

On weekends, you’re uncomfortable sitting still and you fill every minute with activity or entertainment. TV and social media feeds are ready to ward off any sign of boredom.

But letting yourself experience boredom actually lowers stress and boost your creativity.

Boredom gives you space to ponder new ideas. If you’ve ever had a great idea in the shower, you know the value of a few minutes away from your screen.

14. Make time for self-care

Self-care is a daily practice that teaches you to prioritize yourself and take care of your own needs.

Self-care also boosts self-esteem and makes you appreciate yourself more. It reaffirms that you’re worth caring for. And no, it’s not about manicures and bubble baths. It’s about taking time to value and respect yourself.

Self-care can be as simple as yoga by candlelight in the evening when your back is aching. Or a short walk in the park at lunchtime during a busy workday.

15. Forget social expectations

It’s not always easy to insist on the simpler, slower path in a society that’s always striving for faster and better.

You’ll get bewildered looks, incredulity and even scorn when you opt for a small wardrobe of well-worn classics or a slow travel vacation that rejects a fast-paced itinerary.

But you’ll realize that your own happiness means infinitely more than others’ approval.

Read next:

10 Best Slow Living Magazines (To Inspire You)

15 Inspiring Slow Living Instagram Accounts

16 Life-Changing Slow Living Tips (You Can Start Today)

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