Simplicity tips for Midlife women
If you are a midlife woman and are searching for simplicity tips you are in the right spot. We have pulled together a collection of tips that cover all areas of your life and home so you can remove some of the stress that a busy life can bring.
Living a simple life can be confusing, especially when starting out, so these tips are meant to be easy. To help you transition to this less stressful way of living in a more comfortable way. Before you know it, you will be loving your easier way of life.
As I get older, I long for more simplicity, an easier motion in my days. Before, my life was governed by a ridiculous to-do list, and thankfully, I had the energy to keep up with things. Today, however, I get tired before the day is half over and that has me on the lookout for tips. Things I can do each day to help me be productive without sucking up all my energy.
What does simplicity mean?
If you look in the dictionary, simplicity is defined as “the state of being simple, uncomplicated, or uncompounded.”
If you ask folks in the real world you may get a few different responses.
- Simplicity means having less clutter.
- Simplicity means adopting a minimalistic lifestyle.
- Simplicity means frugal living.
- Simplicity means making do with what you have and staying out of the stores if you can.
If you were to ask me, I would tell you this. Simplicity meant to put more emphasis on moments rather than things. To end your day with a bank full of memories you can look back on whenever you need a smile or a lift.
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In order to free up time, you will need to create an easier way of doing things. To use the word mentioned above…..simplicity = uncomplicated. Keep that word in the back of your mind as you begin your simplifying journey.
Get inspired with these Simple Living Quotes!
Simplifying Your Home
The best place to begin simplifying is all the things you have inside of your home. Yes, we are going to declutter but don’t worry I have an easier way to do things.
First, start with the things you have lying out, this is your surface clutter. Toss the trash, gather up any recyclables, and put away anything that has a home.
When you are done, any items that are still lying out are the things you will need to sort through. Decide what you must keep (anything you actively use or love) and donate what is not needed.
Remember, your goal is here less and less means more when you are in the home. Less stuff means more space and fewer things mean more time.
Organize what is staying
To help make it easy to put things away after you are finished using them, you will want to use organizers whenever possible.
What is the pURpose of an organizer?
An organizer is a container meant to hold an item or a collection of items, giving each thing you own a “home” —a space where it belongs. By having a home for each item you own, you will be able to quickly put things away, reducing any clutter lying about.
Containers are a great way to help a room look less messy. The trick to an organizer working it’s magic is to ensure it is easy to use.
Baskets, plastic bins, and even hampers are all great organizers because they require just one step to use—toss and go.
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Give it a try.
Say you have a counter that you clean off every morning, but by the afternoon, it is covered in a random collection of things. If you start the day with an empty basket in that space, anytime random things show up, you can put them in the basket.
By the evening, your basket may be full of stuff, but your counter will be neat and clutter-free.
Streamlining Daily Routines
Our daily routines can often be the reason why we feel we are on a constant hamster wheel running fast but getting nowhere. Here are a few tips to help you create a daily routine that is less overwhelming and more productive.
Simplify Your Morning and Evening Routine
Create a morning and evening routine to help prepare for the day ahead. In the evening, you can prep food for the next day’s meal, lay out your clothes for the next day, and prepare the coffee maker.
In the morning, you can do a few minutes of stretching and deep breathing to prepare your mind and body for the day ahead. If the weather is nice, you can do this outside, which I try to do year-round, even in the winter! Fresh air is a great way to start your day and goes a long way to clear your head and lungs.
Create an Easier Cleaning Routine
A few years ago, I started spreading out my cleaning tasks over the entire week rather than cramming them all into one day of cleaning. This was a huge time saver for me and had it also a positive effect on my schedule.
You can assign a room or set of rooms to each day of the week. Spend 10-20 in each room, giving it a good clean from top to bottom. At first, this may take 30 minutes or longer, but as you find your rhythm, you can get your daily cleaning done in just a few minutes, getting back to your day quickly.
Here is my schedule that you can use as a starting point for creating your own.
- Monday – Master Bedroom
- Tuesday – All Bathrooms
- Wednesday – The Kitchen
- Thursday – Mudroom + Laundry
- Friday – Errands + Family Room
- Sunday – Planning day + Office
More Cleaning Tips:
Simplifying your budget
Frugal living is a key part of simple living, and finding ways to uncomplicate your household budget will save you time as well as money.
redefine your money goals
Create a budget that focuses on your priorities. Eliminate non-essential spending and invest in what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. Look at what you have to see if you can find a solution for an item you plan to purchase. A few ideas are:
- A lid to a shoe box is a great tray to organize a counter.
- A milk jug is perfect to use as a cover for a plant in your garden.
- An old picture frame is great to post reminder notes on in your entry way.
- An empty spray bottle can be used to hold DIY cleaners for your home.
Save up for larger purchases before heading out to the store. You can open a savings account for wish list items allowing you to be more intentional with your purchases.
Recap Finances Routinely
Revisit your budget weekly to ensure you are staying on track. Use tools like spreadsheets or budgeting apps to track your expenses. We use Rocket Money and love how it helps to keep us aware of what we are spending and alerts us when bills have increased.
Minimize Debt
Develop a plan to pay off debts as quickly as possible. Cut up credit cards to avoid accumulating more debt and pay cash for purchases whenever possible. Open a free checking account just for errands and groceries. This will help you stay on track with your budget more easily.
Minimize your wardrobe
Building a wardrobe of things you can mix and match will help to make getting dressed a simpler and more enjoyable task.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe is a collection of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Stick to timeless, quality pieces that fit well and make you feel confident.
Invest in quality over quantity when it comes to clothing. High-quality, well-made items last longer and need to be replaced less often, which saves money in the long run.
Organize Your Closet
Organizing the clothes you wear will help you to simplify the things you have. Use the hanger trick to put decluttering your clothes on auto-pilot. Here’s how it works:
- Go into your closet and turn all your hangers around so they are facing the wrong way.
- Each time you wear an item, fix the hanger so it is in the correct direction.
- At the end of 30-60 days, whatever hangers are still backwards are things you haven’t worn.
- Use this as a guide for what you can donate and what you can keep.
- Do the hanger trick every 3-4 months to keep your closet from getting out of hand.
Optimizing Your Schedule
Streamlining your daily schedule can lead to less chaotic days and more free time to relax and catch your breath.
Double Up on Tasks
Look for ways to double up on tasks to save time. For example, listen to audiobooks while cleaning, fold clothes while dinner is cooking, pay bills while waiting in the car, or make calls while going for a walk.
Start the Week Out Right
Each Sunday set aside time to setup a schedule for the next 7 days. Be sure to look at yoru family calendar so you can take into account any appointments or commitments you may have.
Meal Plan
Meal planning is something that gets a bad wrap but I am not sure why. Even as an empty nester I find meal planning plays a huge role in the business of my days. If you don’t want to be stuck with a strick plan you can instead assign a meal theme to each day. Here is an example.
- Monday – chicken
- Tuesday – fish
- Wednesday – pasta
- Thursday – beef
- Friday – pizza
- Saturday – soup/sandwhiches
- Sunday – big dinner
Be mindful
Being mindful throughout your days can help you find contentment and joy in midlife.
Practice Gratitude
This is something I started doing a year ago and it has made a big difference in how I live my days. Whether it’s writing in a journal or simply pausing to appreciate your surroundings, gratitude can shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.
Reduce Stress
Identify stress triggers and work on eliminating or minimizing them. Look for outlets that help you to relax at the end of a hard day. Bring out a hobby you used to enjoy, read a book, or start a puzzle.
Intentional Living
Choosing simplicity is all about intention. It’s not about deprivation; it’s about focusing on what brings joy your life and letting go of the rest.
Value Experiences Over Things
Shift your focus from acquiring possessions to collecting experiences. Invest in travel, go to fun events, and spend quality time with loved ones. All of these things can provide lasting memories and happiness.
Incorporating these tips into your life can lead to changes that will affect your life forever. Start small, and gradually you’ll find that the simple life is the fullest life. Take the time to reflect on how each change affects your well-being, and adjust your approach as you go. The beauty of simplicity in midlife is that it’s a personal journey with endless room for growth and discovery.
