7 Simple Intentional Living Strategies: How To Simplfy Your Life
This world has gotten a little…. Crazy. Can we all agree on that? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the clutter and constant rush in today’s society. One way we can combat this overwhelm is through implementing intentional living strategies to our daily life.
Taking time to focus on what truly matters, slowing down, and living with more intention would indeed make this world a little less crazy.
You might be thinking well, why is the answer intentional living? What will slowing down actually do for me?
The answer is: A LOT. It could change your life.
The purpose for practicing intentional living is to feel a greater sense of peace, purpose, and fulfillment in our everyday lives.
At the end of the day, it absolutely is possible to be happy where you are with what you have and by implementing these intentional living strategies, you will be able to see that!
Today I’m sharing 7 simple intentional living strategies you can start implementing immediately to feel more peace, purpose, live with more clarity!
7 Simple Intentional Living Strategies: How To Simplify Your Life
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1: Declutter Your Physical Space
When I say declutter your space, I’m not talking about going completely minimal or living in your underconsumption core phase.
I’m talking about having a clean, organized environment because that can lead to less stress!
Have you ever wanted to just sit on your couch and relax but you look around and see a crazy mess all over the place, making it extremely difficult to actually relax?
By taking time to declutter, you will spend less time needing to clean and in return allowing more time to rest.
Actionable steps you can take to declutter:
- Start small: Tackle one area at a time, like a closet or your pantry to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Apply the one-in, one-out rule: For every new item you bring into your home,, donate or let go of something within the same category!
- Use innovative storage solutions that promote neatness and simplicity.
2: Set Clear & Purposeful Goals
Setting clear goals and creating boundaries around the intentional life you long for is a crucial step in taking action.
These goals will align your actions to your values and help you focus on what matters.
If you struggle with goal setting, try buying a planner that allows you to set goals, apply your vision, and track your progress.
This planner is a great option because it has a “values and joys” section along with a “goal setting” section, making it easy for you to keep your goals and tracking in one convenient location!
If you aren’t looking to purchase anything new, a piece of paper works just fine to write your goals down!
- Actionable steps you can take to make clear goals:
- Write down your intentional living goals and break them into smaller, actionable steps (example: when you will declutter a space, meditation time, etc.)
- Align your daily to-do list with your long-term goals.
- Set a goal to start a strong morning routine regimen.
3: Minimize Phone Distractions
Digital distractions like constant notifications and the overwhelming amount of screen time we consume can reduce our productivity and simply distract us.
Reducing the amount of notifications we have can help us be more relaxed and keep our focus where it matters most.
Actionable Steps to minimize screen distractions:
- Set designated times for checking emails and social media and turn off excessive notifications.
- Declutter your digital life by organizing your files and unsubscribing from unnecessary newsletters.
- Find an app that assists with limiting screen time or use the iPhone function if you have an Apple product.
4: Practice Mindfulness and Presence
A pillar of living intentionally is being present in the moment. A tool to being present is practicing mindfulness!
Mindfulness can help ground you in the current moment which can reduce anxiety or stress you might be feeling.
Jon Kabat-Zinn explains mindfulness to be an invitation to love your life, which i believe is beautifully said! I highly recommend taking a deeper look into his explanation and tools for mindfulness here if you are interested in learning more.
- Actionable Steps to practice mindfulness:
- Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises daily.
- Be present in conversations and activities—put away distractions like phones and smart watches.
- Close your eyes while you slowly chew your food and embrace the flavors.
Remember, you aren’t promised any moment except the one you are currently in!
5: Simplify Your Schedule
A big reason we have such a chaotic life is usually our busy schedules! From our job to our children, to our physical health or our friendships – the schedule can sometimes feel never ending.
A packed schedule can make it hard to focus on important relationships and more meaningful tasks.
Though it might not be easy (or even possible) to remove things from your schedule, trying to find commitments that do not align with your values is a great place to start.
Actionable Steps to simplify your schedule:
- Say no to commitments that don’t align with your values or goals (yes, it’s ok to say no!).
- Prioritize your most important tasks first and leave room for relaxation.
- Use time-blocking or batching tasks to maximize efficie
ncy!
A lot of today’s most successful and happy individuals have learned to create boundaries and say ‘no’ more often!
6: Build Meaningful Relationships
Inviting friendships into your life that nourish your soul and support personal growth is important.
Not only do we want to be surrounded by good people, we want to be surrounded by people that lift us up and add strong value to our lives.
It’s also important to note that number 6 ties into this point as well. We need to learn to create healthy boundaries between us and our loved ones. Boundaries keep relationships healthy and thriving.
Actionable Steps to invite meaningful relationships:
- Invest time in meaningful relationships that align with your values.
- Practice active listening and be fully present with your friends and family to deepen your connection.
- Set boundaries to ensure your relationships are healthy and reciprocal.
7: Practice Self-Care and Rest
Now, self-care doesn’t have to be a lavish spa experience in your bathroom with expensive bath bombs, face masks, and hair oil.
Self-care is simply the art of taking care of your mental and physical health! Self-care is crucial in creating balance in your life and avoiding burnout.
By energizing your health, you will have more energy to be intentional in your interactions!
Actionable Steps for self-care:
- Set boundaries to protect time for relaxation and self-care by scheduling it into your day/week.
- Exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, and ensure you get enough sleep each night.
- Engage in activities that recharge you, whether it’s a hobby, nature walks, or time spent alone!
In conclusion, intentional living is absolutely possible and closer than you think!
It’s not something you buy or something to have to wait to be granted. It’s a mindset that is available to you right now.
Start incorporating these simple tips into your life, one strategy at a time and see how you feel! I hope you can embrace intentional living and feel more peace in your life!
What strategy did you find more helpful? Comment below!
