Daily Practices to Streamline Your Existence for a More Efficient Lifestyle

Simplifying one's life can be a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Contributing writer Tammy Strobel offers 12 daily habits that can help streamline your lifestyle. These habits, while not exhaustive, serve as a starting point for those seeking a more simplified existence.

Katy Milkman, an author and researcher specializing in habits and decision-making, provides insights into making better choices. In her study, she found that lasting change takes time and consistency rather than a quick fix. Milkman's research reveals valuable strategies, such as goal setting, habit formation, and overcoming obstacles like impulsivity and procrastination.

Here are the 12 daily habits recommended by Tammy Strobel:

A brief post-meal walk can aid in blood sugar regulation. Rachel Fairbank, a New York Times journalist, discovered that very short walks between two and five minutes have an impact on moderating blood sugar levels.
Tracking income and expenses can help declutter finances and reveal spending patterns over time. This can be done using apps, pen and journal, or spreadsheets.
Using existing resources before buying something new can save money and reduce consumption. Before purchasing groceries or clothing, take inventory of what is already available.
Engaging in decluttering challenges can make the process more enjoyable and help maintain consistency. Courtney Carver's decluttering challenge encourages participants to let go of one hundred items in less than an hour.
Limiting technology use can help reduce dependence on phones and computers, leading to increased productivity and overall well-being. Setting phone-free zones, taking movement breaks during work hours, and tracking screen time can promote healthier habits.
Simplifying one's wardrobe by discarding unnecessary or ill-fitting clothes can create a more calm and organized living space. Donating unwanted clothing to local thrift stores can also support charities and reduce waste.
Creating a "to-buy" list and waiting 30 days before making a purchase can help curb impulsive buying habits and encourage saving.
Exploring low-cost hobbies can provide an alternative to expensive leisure activities, allowing for self-expression while minimizing expenditures. Sashiko, the Japanese art of visible mending, is an example of a low-cost hobby that promotes sustainability and creativity.
A daily practice of expressing gratitude can foster a more positive outlook and help reduce feelings of emptiness or discontent caused by comparing oneself to others.
Identifying simple pleasures, such as making coffee in the morning or enjoying time with loved ones, can help shift focus away from material possessions towards experiences that bring joy and meaning.
Seeking community and support can help maintain motivation and accountability, making it easier to stick to new daily habits. Joining online forums or finding a "simplicity buddy" can provide encouragement during challenging times.
Limiting news consumption can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety caused by continuous exposure to negative events. Setting boundaries around news intake, such as avoiding it at the beginning or end of the day, can promote a more balanced and peaceful lifestyle.

Further resources, including books, articles, and podcasts, can be found to aid in developing simplifying daily habits and making more informed decisions. Katy Milkman's strategies on goal setting, habit formation, and overcoming obstacles can help individuals streamline their routines, reduce decision fatigue, and focus on what truly matters in life.

Referencing Katy Milkman's research, lasting change in habits and decision-making requires time and consistency, not a quick fix.
In the realm of health, a brief post-meal walk can aid in blood sugar regulation, as suggested by Rachel Fairbank.
For financial simplification, tracking income and expenses can help declutter finances and reveal spending patterns over time.
In the pursuit of a more simplified wardrobe, limiting technology use can discourage unnecessary phone and computer usage, promoting productivity and overall well-being.
Going a step further in home-and-garden, the act of decluttering one's home can be made enjoyable through challenges like Courtney Carver's, which encourages letting go of 100 items in less than an hour.
To nurture personal growth, expressing daily gratitude can foster a more positive outlook and help reduce feelings of emptiness or discontent.
For education-and-self-development, exploring low-cost hobbies like Sashiko, the Japanese art of visible mending, can provide alternative leisure activities that promote sustainability and creativity.
To maintain motivation in one's path to simplicity, seeking out community and support through online forums or finding a "simplicity buddy" can provide encouragement during challenging times.
For promoting a balanced lifestyle, limiting news consumption can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety caused by continuous exposure to negative events.
To focus on simple pleasures, shifting focus away from material possessions towards experiences that bring joy and meaning can contribute to a more fulfilling life.
And for further resources in this journey of simplification, books, articles, and podcasts are available to aid in developing simplifying daily habits and making more informed decisions.