21 Ways to Simplify Your Life in 2021

01 Set goals

I never was a goal-setting person until a couple of years ago when I started using the PowerSheets. I only got them because my favorite mentors were using them.

But here’s what I discovered: setting goals helped me to focus on what’s most important. Once I know my priorities, I can cut out all the things that don’t progress toward my goals.

Setting goals = less stuff to do

02 Plan your week

By planning your week ahead of time, you can make space for the most important things that need to get done. This will allow you to better manage your time so you don’t feel like you’re constantly being harried to do something.

Here’s a simple planning practice you can use this year.

03 Declutter daily

Instead of putting off decluttering until some future date, declutter daily. By doing this, you prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed and you can make better decisions.

In my free masterclass, “3 Secrets to Effortless Organization,” I’m giving you what you need to make quick decisions on clutter. (If you’re reading this after the dates have passed, join the waitlist for when class times open again.)

04 Create an evening routine

Great mornings begin with great evenings. Create an evening routine that sets you up for success the next day. For me, this means having all the dishes done and things put away. 

For you and your family, it could mean tracking down everyone’s shoes and having outfits picked out. The point of it is that it allows you to easily get started and accomplish what you need to the next day.

05 Create a morning routine

Start your day by getting off on the right foot. Do what makes you feel like you can tackle the day —stretch, exercise, journal, pray, stare blankly into space for 30 minutes. 

Pair that with a couple of quick chores like washing the breakfast dishes and emptying the dishwasher, and you’re set for the day.

We dig into creating morning and evening routines that help you stay organized in the Essential Home Organizing Blueprint.

06 Unsubscribe from emails

I probably get 123,568 emails per day …ok, I might be exaggerating a little. But I end up deleting most of them.

You can unsubscribe manually or got to unroll.me to do it in one sitting.

If you have too many emails in your inbox, here’s a great post from i Heart Planners for declaring “email bankruptcy” in Gmail.

07 Turn off notifications

Out of all the things you can do to simplify your life in 2021, this has to be my favorite.

I turned social media and email notifications off on my phone and life has been blissful ever since. If you’re feeling like you’re tethered to your phone, try out this trick.

If you’re feeling really good, learn how to do a digital declutter here.

08 Meal plan 

By planning your meals ahead, you save time (not wondering what to make) and money (because you aren’t constantly running to the store or eating out). You’ll also end up eating healthier because meals are made at home.

Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated …read this post on my super simple meal planning system to get started.

09 Meal prep

Making meals in batches saves a lot of time preparing and cleaning up meals every single day. Get intense by prepping all your meals on Sunday. Or keep it simple by making and packing lunches the night before.

Use these 3 meal planning and prepping tips to save time.

10 Set up a paper organizing routine 

Do you have a designated area for all your papers to go? If not, check out this post on the must-know system for getting rid of paper clutter. (Or listen to this podcast interview I did talking all about paper organization.)

With this system, I only deal with papers once per week for less than an hour.

If you want to dive deep into learning this system, you can learn how to implement it in the Essential Home Organizing Blueprint.