10 Things to Drop to Simplify Your Life (and How to Start)
Simplicity isn’t sterile. It’s not about doing less for the sake of it—it’s about doing what actually matters. We often think of simplicity as a visual aesthetic: neutral tones, fewer objects, clean counters. But the real work of simplifying happens inside. It's the quiet act of letting go—of what’s expected, what’s outdated, what’s heavy. This is for the person who wants a little more space in their life to breathe, feel, and just be.
Below are ten things you can choose to release, each paired with one simple way to begin. Small shifts, real clarity.
The Need to Be Constantly Available
You are not a machine, and you don’t need to be on-call for everyone at all times. When you’re always reachable, your time and energy become scattered. Not every message needs an immediate reply; not every request deserves a yes. Boundaries protect your peace—let them.
Tip to begin: Set one hour a day when your phone is on Do Not Disturb. Use it to be fully present—with yourself or someone you love.
Overpacked Schedules
Being busy isn't the same as being fulfilled. When your calendar is wall-to-wall commitments, you leave no room for stillness, for breath, for spontaneous beauty. Saying no to one more thing is saying yes to rest, to margin, to moments that matter. Let white space become a form of art in your day.
Tip to begin: Before you say yes to a new plan, pause and ask: “Is this nourishing or depleting?”
Things You Haven’t Used in Over a Year
That sweater you thought you’d wear? The appliance collecting dust? The unopened journal? If it’s not being used, it’s taking up more than space—it’s holding energy. Let it go to someone who needs it. Your environment should support who you are becoming, not who you were afraid to disappoint.
Tip to begin: Choose one drawer, one shelf, or one small space this week to clear. Start tiny. Watch the momentum build.
Comparison
There is no race. No gold star at the end for keeping up with people who were never meant to be your guideposts. Their success doesn’t dim your light. Focus on your lane—water your own roots. The most authentic growth is often the quietest.
Tip to begin: Unfollow or mute accounts that trigger self-doubt. It’s not petty—it’s protection.
Multi-Tasking
You might feel productive juggling a dozen things, but there’s a cost: your presence. When your mind is split, your attention is diluted, and the moment slips past unnoticed. Try doing one thing with your whole heart. Watch how everything softens and sharpens at the same time.
Tip to begin: Try a “single-task hour” each day. One task, no distractions. Let yourself sink into it fully.
Uncomfortable Shoes
You deserve to feel grounded in every step. There’s something almost metaphorical about clinging to shoes that pinch, rub, or hurt—just because they’re stylish, or you paid a lot for them. Let comfort be your new aesthetic. Your body will thank you for choosing ease over image.
Tip to begin: Find one pair of shoes that feel like walking on clouds—and wear them unapologetically.
Shoulds
“Should” is the voice of external expectations masquerading as truth. When we live by shoulds, we end up building lives that belong to someone else. Pay attention to what feels like pressure versus what feels like alignment. Replace “I should” with “I choose,” and notice how everything shifts.
Tip to begin: Journal three “shoulds” you’ve been carrying—and rewrite them as a conscious choice or a conscious no.
Toxic Positivity
You don’t have to put a positive spin on everything. Life can be hard and beautiful in the same breath. Making space for grief, anger, or exhaustion doesn’t make you negative—it makes you real. Healing comes from honesty, not from forced smiles.
Tip to begin: Practice saying, “This is hard right now—and I don’t need to fix it.” Let the truth be enough.
Digital Clutter
You don’t need to consume content just because it’s there. Every email, every notification, every post you scroll past asks something of your attention. Unfollow accounts that drain you. Clear out what clutters your screen, so you can return to what sparks clarity.
Tip to begin: Delete one app today that you check out of habit but don’t genuinely enjoy.
Trying to Control Everything
Control feels safe—but it’s often an illusion. The more we try to hold everything together, the more tense we become. Loosen your grip. Let the day unfold without needing to manage every outcome. There’s so much beauty in the parts you didn’t plan.
Tip to begin: Try starting one day this week without a to-do list. Just follow what feels right, moment to moment.
Letting go can feel like a loss, but more often it’s a return. A return to yourself. A life that’s lighter doesn’t mean emptier—it means clearer. More intentional. And so much more alive.
