It took me a really long time to embrace tiny step simplicity and stop rushing around trying to change my life overnight. Taking tiny steps towards a simpler life or any change actually works and feels so much better than the fast and furious way.
I resisted tiny step simplicity for a long time. Overnight transformation at all costs was what I was looking for. When it came to change, I was going to push through or get sick trying (that’s actually what happened).
Why couldn’t I simplify my life once and for all?! When I look back on all of the new year decluttering sessions, spring cleaning “organize my life” excitement and other bursts of trying to simplify, I know what went wrong. My steps were too big and I was moving too fast. When I think about tiny steps now, I remember that they have to be small enough that I can start anytime. I also consider anything that is easily reversible a tiny step. For instance, when I hide all the clothes I won’t be wearing for the Project 333 Challenge, it would be pretty easy to bring them back into my closet. If I donate them all, that step is less tiny and more stressful.
The beauty and benefits of tiny step simplicity
- When you take tiny steps, you can celebrate your progress more frequently. Instead of waiting to celebrate becoming clutter-free, you can celebrate that one pair of shoes you said goodbye to. If you are working on a long term simplicity goal like becoming debt-free, tiny steps let you notice your progress along the way.
- Tiny steps don’t wear you out like trying to do much. They honor your personal time and energy availability and remind you that slow progress is still progress.
- Tiny steps are easily replicated. They support consistency over intensity.
10 Tiny Steps That Instantly Make Life Simpler and Less Stressful
Not only do these tiny steps result in long lasting change, they also instantly make life simpler and less stressful. I know it sounds like a big claim but put tiny step simplicity to the test. Use this list to eliminate decision fatigue and begin to make progress, one tiny step at a time. Approach these tiny steps gently, one at a time, at a pace that feels good. You can simplify anything by taking tiny steps.
1. Create a simplicity sanctuary
Find one tiny space that will remain clutter-free starting today. This space might be your kitchen table or a corner of your kitchen table. You could make your nightstand a clutter-free sanctuary or a corner of your living room or office. Remind yourself that clutter attracts clutter and calm attracts calm. By creating a simplicity sanctuary, you’ll encourage yourself (and maybe even family members) to calm other spaces in your home.
2. Write yourself a little letter
Remind yourself why you are simplifying, why you want to make space and what you are looking forward to on the other side of simplicity. You might also want to include a little love and forgiveness for yourself if you have been here before. Don’t carry the guilt of past attempts to simplify into your new tiny step simplicity. Give yourself the grace you’d extend to a good friend if they were trying to change something in their life.
3. Give yourself a simple pleasure
Don’t wait until you have simplified your life, decluttered your kitchen or simplified all of your finances to give yourself a simple pleasure. Consider a simple pleasure every single day, not because you earned it or you think you deserve it, just because you want to. If you aren’t sure what a simple pleasure is, here are 32 that don’t cost much.
4. Put your phone down
As tiny steps go, this one has the greatest return for the smallest amount of effort. Turn your phone off or turn on a do not disturb function. If you feel nervous about missing a call, set a timer for 5 minutes and see how it feels to disconnect from your phone for a few minutes. If you are worried you might miss something, remember this. When you are ready, try longer periods of time. Eventually, consider setting regular phone free times and zones so you can be less overwhelmed by information overload and more present for what you really care about.
5. Declutter one small area on most days
Make a list of small spots in your home to declutter. Instead of setting yourself up for failure by committing to decluttering one room a day every day, think smaller … think tiny. An example of tiny spots might include your junk drawer, a shelf in your refrigerator, five minutes worth of paper decluttering, or a few items from your closet. If your next step feels too big, it probably is. Trust yourself to know what works best for you. Honor your personal time and energy availability.
6. Donate one pair of shoes that hurt your feet
Instead of a full on closet cleanout, donate one pair of shoes. You likely own a pair of shoes that don’t fit well or they fit so well that you wore them out. If they are in good enough shape for someone else to enjoy, donate them. If they are finished, recycle them. Life is too short to wear uncomfortable shoes.
7. Don’t buy anything for 24 hours
You might not be ready for a year-long shopping ban, but what about a one day at a time shopping ban? Keep a list on your phone or on paper of anything you want to buy. Before you add to cart, add it to the list. When you think of something you want, before you research it or spend any time looking for it, add it to the list. Keep your list so you can review later and appreciate all of the time and money you saved. Repeat daily (or as often as you can).
8. Hide a box of stuff you never use
Walk around your house with a bag or box and fill it up with things you never use and don’t really care about. Then, instead of donating it (which may feel like a big step), hide it for 30-60 days. If you don’t miss it, donating it will feel more like a tiny step because you’ll break the emotional hold and realize that you enjoy the space more than the stuff.
9. Invite other declutterers to the party
Instead of begging or shaming your kids or other family members into cleaning and decluttering, make it fun for them (and you). Announce a prize for every 25 things they can collect for donation. The prize can be a fun family activity or your child’s favorite meal. If you have more than one child, offer a bonus if everyone hits their goal to encourage them to work together.
Don’t discount the idea of challenging just yourself too. Try a decluttering burst or play the 30-Day Minimalism Game. Creators, Joshua and Ryan explain the rules, “Find a friend, family member, or coworker who’s willing to minimize their stuff with you next month. Each person gets rid of one thing on the first day of the month. Two things on the second. Three things on the third. So forth and so on.”
10. Call someone you haven’t talked to in a while
Clutter isn’t only on our counters. If your mind feels cluttered because you haven’t reached out to someone in your life for a while, text or call them. If you think you don’t have time, consider how much time you spend thinking about connecting. If those thoughts have been distracting, it may actually save you time to make the call. Not to mention, it might feel good to say hello.
Bonus tiny step!
Join me this Wednesday, September 24 at 3:00 PM ET and/or Sunday, September 28th at 5:00 PM ET to learn more about simplifying your life. If you are interested, I’ll even give you your own tiny step prescription to help you with something you are working on right now. The calls are free and recordings will be available. Learn more here.
Embrace tiny step simplicity. This is not the time to push through, buckle down or go big or go home. Instead, it’s time to be gentle by taking tiny steps, feeling good and being kind to ourselves and each other.