If you feel like your life has become chaotic, you’re running around all day and still cannot finish your to do list, you’re so exhausted by the end of a day that you cannot even make a decision on what to have for dinner, or you often feel like you don’t have time for the really important things – it’s time to simplify and streamline.
Streamlining is simply a technique of doing things and tasks more efficiently by simplification and better organizing.
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed with all the myriad things we have to do each day. And I’m not even talking about important, life-changing decisions or work responsibility. Random small things like coordinating family schedules, running errands, maintaining social relationships, keeping your home clean or even choosing your outfits can drain your brain to a state when there’s absolutely no energy left for seemingly more important or fun activities.
But it shouldn’t be like this. The key to a simpler and more enjoyable life is routines, automation, and effective systems.
And I know I sound like a business operations manager here, but believe me, if you free up some physical and mental energy, you’ll feel so much better in your own skin.
Have you heard the story of Mark Zuckerberg’s wardrobe? He only wears two types of T-shirts, because he simply doesn’t want to waste time or energy on choosing what to wear each day.
Yeah, it’s a tad too extreme for me too, but it still is a valuable lesson from one of the most successful businessmen in the planet.
So, whatever I can simplify in my life, I will.
Here are a couple of things you can streamline in YOUR life in order to become more efficient and make time for the things you really value.
Simplify, streamline, automate
+ Wardrobe
Organize your closet by category (pants, skirts, shirts, dresses etc) AND by color as well. This simple step instantly transforms your wardrobe into a tidy, easily scannable, clean place, where it’s actually easy to find clothes.
Another tip: if you put together an outfit you like, take a photo and store it in a separate folder in your phone. Lack of inspiration? Go to your own personal look book and pick an outfit. Both of these organizing tricks can save you a massive amount of time in the morning.
+ Bills
Set up auto-payment on every bill you have to pay regularly.
+ Daily makeup routine
Keep your daily makeup essentials in a separate small bag, away from your whole collection so you don’t have to rummage through the whole thing to find your eyeliner in the morning.
+ Paperwork
Establish a 2-level filing system for all your mails and papers.
- Level 1: Decide whether to Keep/Act/Toss. Immediately throw out the junk pile and manage the Act pile.
- Level 2: File the Keep pile according to category (Home, car, insurance, medical, warranties etc,)
+ Your digital filing system
Just one word: folders. I keep everything in separate folders and sub-folders with descriptive file names on my computer and my phone as well. Create a system that makes sense to you and stick to that. Also, just forget the desktop. It’s not a place to store files – keep it clean and tidy.
+ All devices – phones, work computer, laptop, home computer
Keep all your devices as closely synced as possible to save time and always have access to your files. I keep everything in my Dropbox account, it functions as a backup option and my organized, easily accessible digital workspace as well.
+ Travel
Keep your travel documents in once place. Put together a travel beauty bag with all the otherwise never used mini beauty products.
+ Exit – aka things you frantically search for when you leave your home in a hurry
Keep coins, tissues, an umbrella, pen, a notebook, and your keys in a tray at a visible place close to the door. Make it a habit to put everything there when you get home.
+ News
Subscribe to breaking news on a trusted media network. Check out newsletter services for a daily dose of news (I like The Skimm). Create a “Media to read” bookmark folder with all your favorite websites.
+ Household chores
Designate one day a week to do most of your household chores at once, like vacuuming, dusting, or laundry. For tasks you don’t have to do every week, set up a running reminder in your Google calendar.
Also, set up systems that can become automatic. Put your dirty clothes in the laundry bag immediately. Put everything back to its place after use. Simple habits that make all the difference.
+ Errands
Keep a running list of errands in your phone (I use the Wunderlist app). Either dedicate a couple of hours a week to run errands or keep in my mind your check your list whenever you are in an errand-y place (I know that’s not a word).
+ Meal planning
For me, the most tedious part of cooking is actually planning what to cook. Thus, I try to simplify and streamline meal planning as much as I can. It saves a lot of time, money, and food waste. You can use a meal planning app or a simple excel to collect and store recipes by category and ingredients. You can also create rotating meal plans for several weeks ahead or themed food days to avoid decision fatigue. Use Sunday evenings for meal prep.
+ Social media posting
No, I’m not talking about using bots to like pics on Instagram. But a lot of services and apps can help you streamline your social media promotion and thus save you considerable time. Sync your accounts and automate sharing. I use IFTTT to automatically post Instagram pictures to Twitter, Buffer to schedule tweets, and Mosaico to plan my Instagram feed and store hashtags. There’s really no need to do everything manually.
How do your simplify you life?
I found reading this really inspiring in the sense that it motivated me to get my butt moving with a lot of things. First up is I’m going to tackle my digital filing system and back up all my files as well.
Julia // The Sunday Mode
Thank you so much, I’m so happy if these help even just a little:)