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How to simplify your life: a guide to mindful living

a cozy cottage with a tree and a lake

In a world that glorifies hustle culture, hyperproducivity, and overachieving. I’ve found peace and clarity by embracing simplicity. My new motto is: simplicity is wealth. This is something that happened gradually for me, I made intentional changes that have transformed my life (and me as an individual) for the better. If you’re looking for ways to simplify your life and make space for what truly matters, I hope this blog is helpful.


Reducing Screen Time and Social Media Use

Social media used to consume more of my time and energy than I realized. And to be honest, too much social media triggers my anxiety. At this point, I only get on social media when I want to post, and other than that, I keep the apps deleted off of my phone. This keeps me from doomscrolling when I get bored and wasting unnecessary time on social media. Reducing screen time has been a game changer and has given me more mental clarity and freed up time for activities that genuinely nurture my well-being.


Being Mindful Of What I Listen To

Maybe this one is just because I'm getting older lol, but I tend to listen to more jazz and lo-fi these days. I have my moments where I'll put on my favorite hip hop, R&B, or pop playlist, but music affects us on an energetic level. And I find that my mental space feels so much clearer when I'm listening to music that doesn't have words (or Cleo Sol).


Simple Morning / Bedtime Routines

Those 1.5-hour-long routines where you do a million things? Gone! I can't do it anymore. Now, I do feel like having a morning and bedtime routine is extremely important, so this is something that I am consistent with, but I simplify them. In the morning, I pray, do breathwork, do some yoga, and I'll either meditate or do affirmations. And yes - I am one of those people who doesn't touch my phone in the morning lol. I even keep my breakfast simple by having the same thing, which is currently apples, a granola bar, and coffee (after I've had my cup of water). At night, I do breathwork, and I currently have a two-minute bedtime meditation that I do, then I'll do two minutes of stretching while in bed. My morning routine takes about 45 minutes, and my bedtime routine takes under 10. Of course, I'll switch out mindfulness activities depending on what I need at that time, but keeping it simple has made it so much more enjoyable and has made it easier to stay consistent.


Yoga and Breathwork

Yoga and breathwork have become daily rituals for me. They ground me, help me stay present, and release the stress of overthinking or worrying about the future. You've probably heard me speak about how yin yoga, which is my specialty, can also release pain and trauma from the body, so my daily yoga practice allows me to release any stored-up emotions. And throughout the day, I do breathwork as needed to remind me to slow down and reconnect with myself.


Letting Go of Clutter

This one is pretty self-explanatory. The more that we own, the more we have to keep up with. I have embraced the minimalist lifestyle (well—as much as one can when you have a kid lol). I pretty much got rid of everything that isn't an absolute necessity and it feels amazing.


Prioritizing Single-Tasking Over Multitasking

This one has been life-changing for me and has really improved my anxiety. I used to think multitasking made me more productive, but it often left me feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Now, I focus on one task at a time, whether it’s writing, cooking, or even relaxing. It’s helped me do things more mindfully and with greater quality, leaving me with a sense of accomplishment rather than burnout.


Simplifying My Schedule

Being busy doesn't equate to being successful. Overloading your schedule is so draining. I’ve become more intentional about how I spend my time, saying “no” to things that don’t align with my priorities. I’ve left space in my calendar for rest, creativity, and even boredom—a powerful tool for sparking inspiration and problem-solving.


Practicing Presence Over Perfection

One of the most impactful changes I’ve made is letting go of the need to overthink and plan every detail of my life. I’ve embraced the mantra “be where your feet are.” Doing so has helped me stay present and romanticize my life without the constant pressure of “what’s next?” Do I have my goals written down? Of course. And I work towards those things daily, but I'm more focused on the journey than the outcome.


Being Intentional About My Connections

I am a social butterfly & I truly value connection. But it's all about quality over quantity. I recently changed my phone number and distanced myself from 'monitoring spirits' or connections that lacked substance. I'm a lot more selective about who I interact with on a personal level. But on the flip side, I am really big on spending plenty of time FaceTiming or texting with my close friends and family. My relationships are thriving and it's so fulfilling.


Being Grateful For What I Have As Opposed To Wanting More

The life that I'm currently creating is centered around how I want my life to feel (serene, joyful, emotionally fulfilling, relaxing, etc.) as opposed to what I want to have. Do I have material items that I want to obtain on my vision board? Of course, lol. But those material items aren't my main pursuit. At this very moment, I have all that I need, and I'm so grateful for that. I'm not waking up each day like "I need that G-Wagon!" It's more of "I love my car and everything that I have. I am so blessed. Any other material items that I obtain are a byproduct of me walking in my purpose, but I have all that I need in this moment." It allows me to love where I'm at in life and not say to myself "I'll be complete when I buy this or that."


Why Simplifying is Worth It

Simplifying your life isn’t about deprivation; it’s about creating space for the things that truly matter. By letting go of things that are unnecessary, you make room for peace, creativity, and joy. I’m still a work in progress, but the changes I’ve made have already brought me so much clarity and balance.


With peace and love,

-J


🌟Magic and mindfulness 👇🏽:


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