Inside: 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life.  Plus learn how A Simple Year can change your life, one month at a time!

Learn about 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life. Focus on one area of simplicity at a time for a more sustained and successful change.

“Small might be insignificant, but it does not mean unimportant.”
-Tsh Oxenreider, At Home in the World

What if I told you that cultivating a simpler life could be as easy as taking one baby step at a time? Would you think I was crazy or would you be willing to take that first step?

Something that has helped me over the past few months is to focus on just one area of simplicity each month. By focusing on just one area I am able to tailor my learning to that one subject and really spend the time implementing what I learned.  Read below for more on this monthly focus.

When it comes to developing habits sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step.  But I am learning as I continue to declutter our home, it is so much easier to rely on momentum, rather than motivation.  We need motivation to get started, but we need momentum to keep us going.

How do we get momentum, you ask?  By taking one baby step at a time.

Whether you are just beginning your journey towards simplicity or you have been at it for a while, but may be stuck for whatever reason, I encourage you to pick just one item from the list below.  Once you have completed that first thing, then move to another item.

There is no right or wrong first step or even next step. The important thing is to keep putting one step in front of the other.

Learn about 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life. Focus on one area of simplicity at a time for a more sustained and successful change.

9 practical baby steps for a simpler life

Slow and steady wins the race here. Do not overwhelm yourself or you’ll give up before you even begin.  Pick just one item to begin with!

Know your Why

This is the first step to developing a simpler life.  Knowing your motivation behind cultivating a simpler life will help you get started.

Declutter one drawer or closet

Just pick one small area to declutter.  This will give you a quick win and will encourage you to want to continue!

Need help decluttering?  Download your FREE Decluttering 101 ebook by clicking the image below!

Learn how to declutter digital pictures and organize photos to create a beautiful photo book to give as a gift during the holidays!

Remove one thing from your schedule that does not bring you joy

We tend to think more is better when it comes to activities and events, especially for our kids.

During my morning routine I try to look at my calendar for the next few days.  If there is something I don’t feel excited about, I remove it!  Hint: learn how to develop your own morning routine!

I encourage you to take a hard look at your calendar and politely decline one event that you are not that excited about.  It will feel so good to spend that time with your family or on your own self-care instead.

Spend 5 minutes doing some kind of self-care

This is a very personal thing, but some ideas are to read a book, meditate, paint, go for a walk or journal.

In 15 Days to a Healthier You, I learned that self-care is not selfish.  And more than that, self-care is not the same thing as self-comfort.  Self-care is really about making our health and wellbeing a priority.

What is one thing you can do today to prioritize yourself?

Plan the meals for one day

Just plan the meals for one day and you’ll see how much simpler mealtime can be.

Unsubscribe from one email newsletter

Simplifying your email inbox can save you so much time in the day.  We all get newsletters we don’t read and just delete.  Instead of deleting them today, hit that “unsubscribe” button!  Then you’ll no longer see it in your inbox!

Spend one afternoon without using your phone

I won’t sugar coat it.  This is a tough one!

I am a stay at home mom a couple of days per week and I try to remind myself to be more present with my kids.  That is the whole point I am staying home with them!  I also notice a significant difference in their attitudes on the days that I am not constantly on my phone.

Related post: How to Declutter Your Digital Life

Do not buy anything for one day

I am talking about clothes and non-essentials here.  If you think you need something or you are scrolling through Amazon or your favorite store website, just put the item in the cart and go back to it tomorrow.  More likely than not you don’t NEED to buy it today (or ever).

Just take one day and don’t spend money on anything that is not essential.

Practice the “one in one out” rule

This is a great practice to put into place.  Essentially if you buy a new shirt or toy, you must donate or get rid of one shirt or toy you already have at home.  This will help keep the clutter from creeping back into your home.

I learned all of these tips, and then some, in a program called A Simple Year.  Keep reading to learn about the 12 baby steps you can take next year to simplify 12 areas of your life, one month at a time.


Make next year…

If you are ready for slow, intentional and supported change, I encourage you to check out A Simple Year. I am working my way through A Simple Year this year and let me tell you it has been life-changing.

>>> Learn more here: A Simple Year

From the course website:

“Living simply provides so many benefits, but sometimes it can be challenging to maintain a commitment to long-term change. If you look forward to living with less stuff, less stress and less obligation so you can have more time, money and energy to pursue what means most to you, choose to live a simple year.”

Additionally,

“A Simple Year was designed to help you simplify your life gently and with purpose. You’ll learn something new each month and focus on what matters most with a simplicity advocate that specializes in topics like clutter, food, money, relationships, and busyness.”

What I love about A Simple Year course:

  • You focus on one area of simple living at a time.
  • You can listen and/or read the lessons on your own time.
  • There is an engaged Facebook community for extra accountability and additional support.
  • There are multiple forms of instruction for all learning styles, including audio, articles, video, and ebooks.

What is challenging about A Simple Year:

  • There is a LOT of information and it can quickly get overwhelming if you let it.  I will say that there is no way you can implement every. single. thing. the instructors throw at you during the year. But the great thing is that you get to pick and choose what you most need in your life at this specific point in time.  You will also receive all of the course material in one pdf file at the end of the year. This way you can go back and review something you missed or didn’t make a priority this year.
  • There may be sections that do not resonate with you or apply to you at this point in your life.  If the majority of the sections apply to you then I encourage you to sign up for the course.  You do not need to spend time on the sections that don’t apply to you and you can spend extra time on the sections that do apply.

Are you ready to take that first step toward a simpler life?

The program runs all year, but the sign-up window is limited.  If you are interested, now is the time to join!

Learn about 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life. Focus on one area of simplicity at a time for a more sustained and successful change.

I hope that by participating in A Simple Year you are able to focus on embracing simplicity in your life.  I hope you are able to develop new habits at your own pace and start living the life you crave.

Updated January 2020:

Please note that A Simple Year is no longer available to enroll, but Courtney Carver does have a brand new shorter course that she offers several times throughout the year.

The course is called Soulful Simplicity and, like everything else from Courtney Carver, it’s a winner!

Here is an outline of the course:

Module One: Making You

  • An in-depth look at my personal story and how simplicity changed my life
  • Thoughtful questions to get you unstuck so you are able to do what you really want to do
  • Encouraging tips to help you move past any roadblocks and build healthy habits that support your new life
  • Discover the gift of presence and being more attentive so you can make the most of every day
  • An introduction to a heart practice that can help you align yourself with what your heart really wants

Module Two: Making Space

  • Practical strategies that will help you let go of clutter, including photographs and sentimental items
  • Embrace space in your life by bringing fewer things into your life with the 3 Myths of Ownership
  • Step-by-step help to clean out your closet as well as any emotions you have in your closet
  • How to create a “Simplicity Summit” where you have an intentional discussion with loved ones and grow closer together
  • Reconnect with your heart so you can also reconnect with yourself

Module Three: Making Time

  • Make personal boundaries and learn to honor them so you can be happier and healthier
  • Say no in a respectful and meaningful way to take better care of yourself
  • Give yourself more space, energy, and fulfillment by changing how you use your calendar
  • How to unplug from digital devices and connect more to your heart and your loved ones
  • Find more clarity, happiness, and ease from lingering longer and avoiding busyness

Click the below image to learn more and sign up for this unique opportunity!

Are you ready to get started today?

Here are a few resources to get you started on your own simple living journey today, while you wait for A Simple Year to open back up. 🙂

Make Over Your Mornings Ecourse

Make Over Your Evenings Ecourse

Freed From Clutter Ecourse

The Toy Detox

10 Books on Simple Living and Minimalism

What baby step do you plan to take today?

Share in the comments below!

And then pin this post for later:

Learn about 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life. Focus on one area of simplicity at a time for a more sustained and successful change.

*Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.

Learn about 9 practical baby steps for a simpler life. Focus on one area of simplicity at a time for a more sustained and successful change.

23 Comments on 9 Practical Baby Steps for a Simpler Life

  1. Hi Tara! Great post! I’m on my journey towards minimalism. I think the hardest part for people is how to get started. I so agree with you about the baby steps to go. When we keep going and moving on everyday, it’s getting more easier and easier. I first started at decluttering, stop buying unnecessary stuff, simplifying my diet… my next step going to do is spend time regularly on self-care. 🙂

    • Hi Christine! Thanks for stopping by! I agree starting is half the battle sometimes! Building up that momentum really helps move you in the right direction. Self care is so important! Do you have any suggestions for incorporating self care into your life?

      • Hey Tara! I’ve to say I’m not good at practicing self care. I didn’t make time for myself. I’ve started to meditate for a month now and I just love it! My next step is to have a 8 hours sleep each night, just as simple as that though I’ve some more hobbies wanna to develop. Again, baby steps lol.

  2. Knowing my why has been a big theme of 2017 for me. 🙂 Also, a huge fan of decluttering. So much better for the mind and soul.

    • Hi Jessica! Figuring out my why has been really helpful for me too. I am glad you are seeing the benefits of a decluttered life. Thanks for stopping by!

  3. We are in the middle of a move from our home of 25 years so, you can imagine the amount of de-cluttering I am doing to downsize it all.
    I am definitely doing a lot of selfcare, meditation, exercise and walks to help me with the process. I enjoyed reading your tips. 🙂

    • Hi Elizabeth! I hear you! We moved this past summer after living in the same home for 9 years. We had WAY more stuff than I realized. I can’t imagine what we’d accumulate in 25 years! 🙂 Good luck with the move!

  4. I love this post!!! Such great points. I will be putting some into practice! Clutter really throws me off, so the one in and one out rule is something I will definitely do. Also, the email inbox point is something I’ve never thought about, but having a simpler inbox would be amazing!

    • Hi Elise! I am so glad this post was helpful! The one-in-one out rule is extremely helpful to at least keep things in check. Good luck!

  5. This is a lovely post. Keeps me wonder what should i do first to make my life simpler and less stressful. I think i will switch my phone this afternoon

    • Hi Lamees! Thanks for stopping by! Good luck with reducing phone time. That is definitely a tough one! Let me know how it goes!

  6. I absolutely love this. I need to read it over and over. All of the ideas you lost are so easy and achievable yet will make a big impact. I just need to do these things!!

    • Hi Stef, thanks! I agree, they seem so simple, yet they will have a big impact. Good luck implementing these ideas in your life!

  7. I’ve been getting better about putting my phone on Do Not Disturb when I’m around family and friends! Taking the mental break from the chaos is so helpful

    • Hi Caitlin – I totally agree! Actually being present with those around me helps with my attitude as well. Thanks for stopping by!

  8. These are all so practical but really made me think…
    Love the first one especially! I never thought to just remove something from my life just because. Gonna do it. 🙂

  9. Good tips. I especially like the tip to go without your phone for the day. I finally broke my smartphone addiction and got rid of my android completely.
    I do miss some things – like Google maps when I’m out and about. But overall, it was the smartest thing I ever did. I enjoy things more now; I am participating in things instead of recording them with my smartphone. Definitely simplified my life!

    • Hi Rebecca! I am impressed you completely got rid of your smart phone! I have not made that jump quite yet though I do try to keep my phone hidden when my kiddos are around. Your comment is such an encouragement! Thank you!

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