When you look around your home or think about your life, do you wish things were simpler? If you do, it’s understandable. Life today is filled to the brim with everything from stuff like clothing and furniture to activities, family responsibilities and work.  

In honor of National Simplify Your Life Week, observed yearly during the first week of August, we wanted to offer some tips and hints to help anyone who wants to enjoy a more peaceful and organized way of living.  

WayForth’s moving professionals are here to help you prepare for your next move. Our comprehensive services include downsizing, packing and moving, storage, and so much more! Contact our team of experts today. 

Building a simpler life starts with a first step: clearing away excess and making every single thing you have work for you. Remember that it doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself time and you’ll see that small efforts can have a big impact. To help you find a simpler way of living, we’ve categorized our tips so they’re quick and easy to reference.  

Home  

• Clean out your closet and drawers. If you haven’t worn something in two years, you probably don’t really need it. With fewer clothes, it’s easier to find what you need when you get dressed in the morning. Donate clothes to your favorite organization or try to sell them on websites such as ThredUp and Poshmark. 
• Think about streamlining your wardrobe. Stick to colors and cuts that are flattering and make you feel good. Don’t worry about chasing trends every season. 
• Tackle the kitchen. Get rid of anything that’s expired or simply taking up room. If you only use a gadget on the holidays (such as a cookie press, or big roaster pan) find a spot for it that’s out of the way. Canned goods and spices should be tossed, as well as any old food in your refrigerator that are past the expiration date. 
• Do a whole-house sweep. Take a walk through your house and toss papers, receipts, old mail, boxes and anything else just taking up space. 

Family 

• Stay on top of laundry. Small quick loads every day or so can move faster than a big mountain of laundry that takes extra time to sort, fold and put away. Try designating a “laundry day”  and stick to it every week. If the children are old enough, they can learn how to help by  washing their own clothes. 
• Make a list of 10 easy meals. If you have a go-to list, you don’t have to wade through cookbooks or websites to find something for dinner. You might be surprised how much time simple meal planning will add to your life. 
•  Get rid of old toys and sports equipment. Everyone in the family can help with this project. Gather any toys, games, stuffed animals, tennis racquets, sleds, bathing suits, etc. and donate, sell or toss them. Look for organizations like WayForth that can schedule a pick-up of any items you want to discard and transport them to their final destination. 
• Keep a stock of birthday cards, stamps and small gifts. When you suddenly remember it’s Aunt Ann’s birthday, you will have a card ready to pop into the mail. Having small gifts can help if you need to thank a friend for a favor or take something to a party. 

Personal 

• Learn how to say “no.” It’s hard to disappoint people, but it’s even harder to be stretched thin with your time. Pick and choose what you really want to do. 
• Clean off your computer. Too many tabs, too many useless files and too many programs can not only slow your computer, but they can also add to the stress of trying to find what you need. 
• Use a checklist. A simple life means less stress and fuss. If your day is mapped out with what you need to get accomplished, you can refer to your schedule to make sure you’re on track. 
• Take care of chores you’ve been dreading. If you’ve been meaning to clean out the basement, garage or attic, make a plan today. You can tackle a large chore in small steps or knock it out in a long weekend. The point is that it’s getting done and one thing you don’t have to continually think about. 
• Schedule rest and down-time. No one can burn the candle at both ends. Life is a lot easier to handle when you are well-rested. 

You can also dig into books and articles about living simply. The magazine, Real Simple, is even devoted to making a busy life a bit easier and streamlined.  

Whatever you do to make your life easier, every small change will result in a more stress-free, clutter-free and fulfilling life.  

WayForth can help you or a family member with downsizing, space planning, junk removal, storage spaces, packing and moving, unpacking and settling in your new home. Contact our moving professionals today at 1.844.WAYFORTH.