Everything You Need To Simplify Your Life In May

The end of May is the official kick-off to summer. But before you get bogged down with all those vacation plans and summer activities take some time to simplify.

May is one of those months that can easily overwhelm us. There’s a lot going on this time of year. Most of us have the end of school year activities, graduation plans, and Mother’s Day events, and gearing up for summer.

However, no matter how much you’ve got going on, it’s important to be purposeful in how you spend your time. This month’s simplicity calendar has everything you need to simplify your life this May.

The free Simplicity Calendar for May is available for download by clicking the image below. I recommend you print out the calendar and keep it handy all month long.

As always, the calendar includes a simple decluttering task for each week of the month, because simplicity starts with getting your clutter under control!

Download the PDF version here!

 

In case you missed it, click for April’s calendar.

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31 Ways to Simplify Your Life This May

Simplifying your life is all about making room for the things that matter most. That’s why I put together these 31 practical tips to help you simplify your life, and create more time for the things that bring you joy.

From decluttering your home to simplifying your schedule and taking time for you, you’ll find one idea for each day of the month. 

1. Print Out Favorite Photos From Your Phone

I’m going to give away my age here, but I remember the days of film cameras. Back then the only way to see your pictures was to print them out.

Nowadays, with everything being digital we don’t print out our pictures the same way. Yet, it’s easier than ever. You can order all your favorite photos online and then simply go pick them up an hour later. I usually have mine printed at either Costco or CVS.

Printing out your favorite memories will remind you of what matters most, do it today!

2. Go to the Library

Reading is so important! It can teach you new things and inspire you to try new things. Reading has the power to make positive changes in your life, based on what you read. A visit to the library can open up a whole new world for you!

Plus, as an added benefit it doesn’t add clutter to your home since you know you’ll be returning the book! If your library is not open, you can still check out books online!

3. Try Out Time Blocking

I’ll be honest, I sometimes find time blocks a little too structured for me. However, they are excellent to stop multitasking. If you’re not familiar with time blocking, here’s a good article that explains it in detail.

Essentially, you block out specific periods of time to work on specific tasks. For instance, you do all cleaning from 9 am to 10 am phone calls from 11 am to 12 pm, etc. If you struggle with staying consistent with getting things done, time blocking may be the perfect solution.

4. Declutter Your Night Stand

Unless you’ve been hoarding, this decluttering project shouldn’t take more than 15 to 20 minutes max.

To get started clear off the surface of anything that doesn’t belong there. Limit decorations, you want to be able to hit that snooze button without knocking anything over.

Next, empty out the drawers and place the contents in a pile. Return anything that doesn’t belong there to its correct home. Toss out any trash or broken items you’ve stashed away. Now you’re done and you’ll feel a little more peace when you go to bed tonight!

5. Create A Regular Cleaning Routine

I’m a firm believer that rhythms and routines can make all the difference in how you move through your day. If you’ve decluttered your home a simple routine should be all you need to stay on top of the housework.

It’s just about finding what works for you. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try out a few different routines until you find one that fits. If you want some inspiration you can read about my routine here. Or all newsletter subscribers receive a free printable of my actual schedule. Click the link above to sign up!

By having a regular cleaning routine, you’re able to put many of your tasks on autopilot.

6. Clean Out Your Inbox

Clutter is all around us, it’s even taking over our digital world. Depending on how much is in your inbox this could take some time, so it’s okay to go slow. I like to start backward and work my way up, meaning I start with the oldest emails first.

Any emails you know you’ll never take action on should just be deleted. Don’t open them, just click delete.

For older emails, you feel you need to keep, set up folders or labels, and file those emails the same way you would if they were paper. Next, unsubscribe from 90 percent of the lists you’re on. Finally, keep a to-do list and use your calendar instead of your inbox!

7. Doodle

The simple act of doodling miscellaneous shapes and images is the perfect way to slow down! You don’t need to be artistic, it’s just a relaxing way to clear your mind and relieve a little stress.

8. Hug Your Kiddos

Do I need to say more? Hugging my kids always puts things back in the right perspective. If I ever need a reminder to stop, slow down, be present, and focus on what matters most all I need to do is hug my kiddos. So stop reading and go give them a big hug.

9. Wear Your Favorite Outfit

We have a habit of saving our favorite things for special occasions. But every day should be your favorite day, so wear your favorite outfit today. You’ll feel confident and like celebrating the entire day.

10. Take Some Time to Breathe

Whatever it is you’re doing stop! Pay attention to your breathing. Spend 5 minutes doing absolutely nothing and just enjoy the moment you’re in.

11. Declutter The Top of The Dresser

The other day I noticed my dresser was looking very cluttered. I have a bad habit of taking my jewelry off and placing it on top of my dresser. Also, I usually fold the clothes on my bed and mismatched socks end up here as well.

I took the time to remove everything, returned all items to their correct homes, and only put back my favorite decor items. This simple decluttering makes my entire bedroom feel so much cleaner and fresher.

12. Create a Dinner Plan for the Week

Coming home to a house full of starving people and no idea what to feed them is a guaranteed way to complicate life. End the weeknight stress by writing out a plan for dinner for each night this week.

13. Text a Friend

Having good friends in your life is what makes life worth living. Text a friend and let them know you’re thinking of them. It only takes seconds to send that text and you’ll be happy you did.

14. Focus on One Thing

Multitasking sounds good, but it rarely ever is. The reality is that Multitasking destroys your productivity and stops you from being present in the moment. For today, quit trying to do several things at once. Focus on one thing at a time and see how much simpler the day feels.

15. Clean Out Your Purse

I have to be honest, I am always amazed at the random things I find in my purse when I take the time to clean it out. At the same time, it is such a relief and everything literally feels so much lighter afterward.

16. Eat Your Favorite Desert

Every now and again you just have to treat yourself. I say do it tonight by indulging in your favorite dessert. For me, that pretty much means anything with chocolate!

17. Trust Your Instincts

Trusting your instincts is about learning to trust yourself. It simplifies things because it requires you to stop overthinking and listening to too many voices.

The voices may be well-meaning, but nobody knows you or your circumstances better than you do. So slow down and make space clear away distractions so that you can see what truly does matter and trust yourself to pursue that.

18. Declutter Under Your Bed

Under the bed is one of the favorite places for clutter to hide. It’s an easy storage spot for those things you don’t know what else to do with. But, out of sight out of mind. The next thing you know this area is packed with unnecessary clutter.

Today, pull everything out from under there. Anything you find that you didn’t realize was there, you don’t need it. Get rid of it. For other items find an appropriate home for them. If there is no other place for the items, guess what you don’t need them.

19. Pack Lunch For The Week

Mornings tend to be one of the busiest times of the day. Trying to get everything and everyone ready and out the door takes a lot and it can complicate the entire day.

Taking one day to prepare lunches for the entire week will make the mornings much simpler. All that’s needed is to just grab the prepared lunches and go.

20. Deep Condition Your Hair

A little self-pampering is good for our confidence. After all, when we look our best, we feel more confident.

Pamper yourself a bit today with a deep-conditioning hair mask and sip your favorite drink while it does its work. You really are worth it.

21. Leave 20 Minutes Early

Rushing is stressful. When you have someplace you need to be, give yourself plenty of time to get there. Once you arrive you’ll have extra time to treat yourself to your favorite coffee. I usually carry a book with me and it’s the perfect time to catch up on a little reading. You’ll be nice and relaxed knowing you’re on time.

22. Snack on Fruits & Veggies

When you do your weekly grocery shopping pick up some extra fruits and veggies for snacking. When you bring them home from the grocery store prepare them before you put them away. If you store them in stasher bags or oxo producer keepers they will stay fresh the entire week.

23. Leave an Encouraging Note For Someone

When we focus on the negative everything feels heavier. Writing an encouraging note requires you to see the positive. Not only will it make you feel lighter, but it will encourage the person to receive the note. This, in turn, makes you feel great!

24. Plan a Special Date Night

This doesn’t have to be anything fancy. An evening at home that’s made special by serving a special meal or planning a romantic activity builds a strong bond. When our relationships are strong everything feels so much easier.

25. Declutter The Hall Closet

The hall closet is often another one of those places where we tend to store items we don’t know what else to do with. Much like you did when decluttering from under the bed, pull everything out. For all items that you didn’t know were in there, get rid of them. Things that don’t belong there need to find a new home or need to go.

26. Plan Out Next Month’s Goals

Spend some time today setting out some goals that you’d like to accomplish in the month of June. Make sure they include goals for those areas of life that matter most to you!

These are the eight main areas of life I set goals for each month, my relationships, home, health, finances, career/business, spiritual growth, and self-care. What goals can you set in these areas that you’ll focus on in June?

27. Have a Picnic

Every day is the perfect day for a picnic. May usually has excellent weather, it’s warming up, but not yet hot. Even if the weather is not good you can always have an indoor picnic. Just grab a blanket and prepare your favorite picnic items. Your day will feel a little slower and much more relaxed.

28. Pick Out Your Clothes the Night Before

This is another thing that will make your mornings so much simpler. Setting out my clothes for the next day is actually a regular part of my evening routine. It’s one less thing I have to think about in the morning and it really does make things easier.

29. Play Your Favorite Soft Music

Upbeat music will energize you, while soft music helps you relax and slow down. Slow down your day a bit by turning on some soft music while you lie down and close your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. I promise you’ll feel so refreshed afterward.

30. Write Down Your Favorite Memory From The Month

Take just a few moments to reflect back on the month. Jot down at least one memorable event. This helps you focus on the positive and see how your effort to simplify really is moving you closer to those things that genuinely matter most.

31. Order Pizza

Make the evening simple tonight by ordering Pizza, add a salad to your order, because balance is important. Put on your P.J.s and engage in your favorite relaxing activity.

So there you have it, everything you need to simplify your life in May.