10 Minimalist Habits to Keep Your Life Simple (even if you're not a minimalist!) 

Let me know some of your fave simple living tips!

I totally see the validity of having a “short” to-do list, but I actually find that if my items are really small and actionable, I am more likely to tackle them. For example if it’s “clean home,” then yeah - that can be 1 of 3 items on my daily to-do list but I tend to break them out into: wipe counter, vacuum, unload dishes, fold blankets. This way I can more accurately understand how big the task is; the key for me is that every action on the list is ~the same level of effort/time so I can have a longer or shorter list depending on what I can do

Tip number 9 reminds me of physics: “a body in motion tends to stay in motion; a body at rest tends to stay at rest.” Applies to people, too. If you can just get started on something, you tend to keep going. But like you said, the hardest lift is lifting yourself off the couch; it’s easier to “stay at rest”. Good tips!

1. don’t put it down, put it away 2. make your bed 3. automate your money 4. declutter as you go 5. maximum 3-item ’To Do’ list 6. eat real food & stay hydrated 7. take breaks 8. clean before you break 9. don’t overthink. just do. 10. avoid “stuff spots”

I have a "Purpose of The Day" list, which is a short list that motivates me to have a purpose for the day no matter how small. If I have a purpose for the day it gives me a reason to get up in the morning.

I used to have a bed full of sheets and pillows, just like my mom. At 41 I just decided that I neither want or need all of the pillows or the sheets. So we have a bottom sheet, the pillows we need, and our duvet. Boom. Literally three minutes of work and my bed is happy.

I live by the mantras "A place for everything and Everything in its place" and "Clean as you go" - particularly when cooking Edit: I stopped writing a 'To Do' list and now have an 'Intentions' list

I love what you said about horizontal surfaces! "If you don't sit on it, don't let your stuff sit on it!" GOLD!

I recently watched a video by struthless where he recommended making two lists...the first list (the typical list that we tend to do that's overly ambitious) then a bare minimum to feel productive or prevent future harm/stress version, which is kind of like the three thing concept, and helps you really hone in on what's important. I found it game-changing for me.

One of my favs is Jeff's; clean before relaxing/taking a break. There's no way I can truly relax unless all dishes, sink, counter tops are cleaned. Thanks Christina 😊

You touched on most of it, but the most important thing I practice is picking up my space after myself, and taking things to their home as I walk through the house. Pick something up and take it to it's place gets things put away pretty fast. It's kind of amazing. At the same time, I get to put some things in the donate bag. 2 actions for 1 trip. Every little bit helps. Simple but it works.

I couldn’t agree more! Just having an efficient routine truly clears the mind an allows you to be more productive. 💜 also I couldn’t agree more with having a space for everything. When you just put things down randomly one mess turns into 10 and then it’s just overwhelming. Thanks for these great tips!

Woot! About a minute into this video, I got up and looked at my very cluttered desk. As I continued listening to your tips, I was able to clean off the random stack of notebooks, some little piles of bits & bobs and finally saw my actual desk surface. Took 5 mins and it’s all done and looks great again! 😍✨ Next stop: my awful closet but that’s for another day. 😉

Love the tips; thank you! My mantra is “do it now then it’s done” for the small domestic chores. I find it helps me keep on top of my space, which helps me feel calmer and more able to focus on priority tasks without distraction.

This is a nice video. I like the quote from designer William Morris which reads "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful". A simple life initially takes effort, but once in place is easy to maintain with discipline. :-)

These were great! For me: 1. Create master to do list 2. Use highlighter system to run thru it and prioritize (need, want, important, unimportant) 3. Write the intention of the need and important even with realistic time investment needed and break down into micro tasks as necessary 4. Schedule it. I write it in my calendar ( I also agree with no more than 3 items outside eating, sleep, movement, cleaning and work/job) 5. Spend contemplating time on the wants and unimportant… I literally mentally and emotionally worked through if it will bring me value or support or improve something in my life, OR if it’s a responsibility I want to take on or deal with. Is it worth my time, money, energy, mental real-estate, relationship, and any other investment? Most of the time it’s a no, but needed to sit with it. This isn’t about “I want to go on vacation” type of analysis It’s not about if BUT when with that situation…It’s about all those micro opportunities that fling our way that in the past we just do or hop into it without considering ourselves more fully. What do you keep saying yes or no to that you are tired of dealing with? Why does this pattern or situation keep coming up at the worst time? What do I want to say no to, but afraid or worried I may disappoint others? Where am I betraying myself and not meeting my needs and managing myself that feels really good? My motto is what needs to be done or no longer done so that my future self will love me and be in deep gratitude for? Clean kitchen before bed~great start with breakfast next morning-first win of the day! Put away after use, no headaches trying to find it next time I need it or wasted time when I need to be on my way and stick with my schedule Review my schedule when opportunity comes along to see if I can truly commit as well as ask myself if I want to commit Never move stuff/schedule around for others. My routine IS flexible for me not you. If it is meant to be either it’s available OR there IS another time it can benefit “us”. Vice versa….we work around doctors,dentists, stylists, etc. schedule… Finally for me I learned to practice saying no more and more (more subtraction than additions) until I found balance that works for me. We let go so that we get to choose what we really want to say yes to cuz it feels really good, important and even elevate our life! Sure some people really hated that response, but hey, I finally realized the types of stress that was unnecessary, not making me feel good, not amounting to much, preventing me from doing what I love etc. they don’t lay in bed having it spin around and around trying to figure how it can all get done like yesterday. So I ask, what would your future self love and appreciate and be in deep gratitude that you established the habits and alignment to intentionally creating a feel good life? Even if that future self is Tomorrow 😉

Thank you! Really good tips! ”Don’t put it down, put away” did it for me. Also ”Don’t overthink it, just do it” since we moved and did a huge declutter, I find it easier to keep up with decluttering as I go. We still have some things to do before we are done, but I feel everything you talk about. 💕

7:31 "The muscle of letting go.." Yes, I love this! Since my Marie Kondo's decluttering feast, I find it so much easier to focus on what I don't want anymore. You can just feel it right away!

My favorite tip for simple living is the max 3 things on your to do list. After that for sure comes the overthinking instead of just doing! However, it is not always easy to stop overthinking, so if there are any tips by other I am happy to hear them 😄

Flagging this video for myself to remember these super simple tips! It’s so much in life that the simple things are often the hardest to think of, overlook and conquer. I love your videos!

Today I realized I do not need 2 junk drawers….. fixing to combine the 2 right now!!!! Now I have an extra drawer in kitchen. For some reason this video triggered this. Haha

Thank you for the tip about to do lists. I have been doing a little bit of that without really being aware and questioning how my lists make me feel. I think it’s about convincing our brains of what’s realistic.

automating is a fantastic idea for all bills, BUT that doesn't mean stop checking to see if the bill was paid. NYSEG (NY state electric and gas) is notorious for having hiccups with their computers that for some reason forget to take the money from your bank account, and if you don't check you don't realize until you get an email that says, "hey you forgot to pay!". It happens enough that if you call their customer service the operators are like "oh yeah, this again. Hang on...let's double check that nothing changed and set you up again." They're always sweet and helpful but i can't help but find myself staring at my phone like "you had ONE job, automated bill. Just the one." lol!

Thank you for this great content. I calmed me down. There are times you feel overwhelmed and then it's great to remember what's essential and actually helps moving forward. A lot of times those are habits which are simple, but effective.

What a fab video! I have been discussing so many of these ideas already with my husband and therapist and it's so great to get the reinforcement from a third party. Thanks so much!

Super super helpful tips! ♥ I love the mini declutter advice.

This video was just recommended to me and I'm so glad it was! I love all these habits and agree with them all. You have such a calming way about you. I really enjoyed this video and have subscribed! When I was single I used to have money automatically put into my saving account each pay cheque. I thought I might use it to go to photography school but that never ended up happening and instead I used the money to go on a trip to Australia to visit a good friend of mine. I have so many great memories from that trip and it wouldn't have happened it I hadn't had that money automatically set aside each pay period.

Advice for my fellow neurodivergent friends: Remember that not every advice you see in productivity videos work for you! (RU-vid or TikToks both) It is easy to get excited about new tips or the feeling of the videos, but don't forget about the routines you already have, and remember that what work for others might not work for you. Always listen to your own body and own rhythm! eg I would automate some necessary expanses, but not monthly subscriptions for a streamer, article apps such as Medium, or Adobe. Also "stuffed spot" is useful for my ADHD, because if I put everything away immediately I would get even more distracted, but I use a basket so I remember to clean it out habitually. This channel is amazing btw! I am getting so much inspirations from the videos but I try not to get too carried away by it, haha

That's so true regarding clean before you break, this is something I always do!.

Very well done. Love the keeping it simple not complex. Like having only 3 top things to do each day on a to do list. Good ideas to use on making life simple.

Excellent points and suggestions! Thanks!

I love for you that you are switching to more environmentally friendly cleaning products. To make your cleaning routine a little more sustainable, I would advise you to add a reusable cloth to clean instead of a paper towel.

To-Do List: 1- Wake up. 2-Go to work 3-Go home and shower :) Next day repeat 1-3 until Friday, than skip step 2 and just Sleep. 🙃

Great tips! Thank for sharing Christina! 😁

this helped me finally clean up my room and get rid of some clutter

Loved this! I’ll be sharing it with my sons😍Thank you

WOW, WOW, WOW.. These are soooo good! I can totally get behind these and begin to implement them like NOW!!! Thank you again for taking the time to create this insightful vid!

happy friday ahhhh yeii i love decluttering purging and just in general getting rid of stuff out of my house. My house is pretty minimal but i can always find something to go more minimal. And i have no to do list!

Your channel is one of my favorites❤️

I like to write to do lists with "priorities" (so things I have to to today) and things that would be nice to achieve aswell like "bonus-to dos". It's totally fine when I just get my priorities-to dos done and with everything that I get done on top I feel even better. No beating up for no doing but praise for (more) doing.

I love your videos and find them very helpful. I am taking the 3 item to do list to heart....love that idea.

Great tips, thank you!

Thanks very much Christina, I loved it.x

I use a small paper to do my "to do list". I throw it away when it's done. I gave up my bullet book which took to much time and is useless for me. It's is good thing not to see previous lists you have achieved or not.

Great video. Thank you! I love the tip about not overthinking, just do it! So helpful!

Oh and now after watching this I see that you have read his new book! Awesome video :). I really like the Pomodoro method as well. I also make sure to clean ALWAYS before I leave the house. Obviously things are never perfect but I find if I stick to this, it makes it easier to come home to and not feel overwhelmed being tired from works + having to clean (I have 3 young kiddos).

Great video. Thanks!!!

Thank you for giving us nice tips to live simply. I’m not good at taking breaks. Also I always think too deeply, however I will try to love myself from now on.

I agree. What a fabulous video. Thank you. 🥰

Great advice , great idear for the "to do list" very helpful, and much easier get the list done, when less and simplified and, clean before ya relaxing good one!

1-3 item to-do lists and cleaning/putting away right away are honestly huge game changers. way less ambient stress

Good tips. Thanks for sharing:)

Great video, really approachable.

You explain concepts very well.

Your hair looks so fabulous in this video!! Love this video :)

Great essence of the best tips 👍

If I don’t put important tasks on a reminders list I worry I won’t remember them. However, I have several lists. “Long term” for things I want to get done but are not urgent, like throwing out old paperwork. “This week” for the things that will cause me a problem if they don’t get done soon. Finally “Today” for the tasks that I really need or want to get out of the way. With the reminders system on apple it is easy just to drag and drop the items from one list to another. It’s a great sense of achievement when you get them all ticked off.

A new suscriber from Caracas, Venezuela!

Excellent advice thank u

I’m excited to try the pomodoro method 😊 I hate doing dishes I’m doing better at tackling them as soon as I finished using them.

I already do a lot of these but I need to take more breaks. I push through tasks all the dang time. ❤️

Yes! I over plan tasks and end up putting them off. I just recently started making myself just start by saying “Just do it for half an hour and see how much you can get done.” If it goes well I may go longer, otherwise I’ll take a break and come back later. Baby steps but in the right direction!

omg loving your channel happy new sub.

I enjoy a lot your videos…… funny, informative, congrats!

Thank you for this love ❤ 📝🤗👍🏾.

1. Dont put it down, put it away 2. Make your bed 3. Automate your money 4. Declutter as you do 5. Maximum 3 items on todo list 6. Eat real food & stay hydrated 7. Take breaks 8. Clean before you break 9. Don't overthink. Just do 10. Avoid stuff spot

Awesome!

Great advice

Very helpful to me

08:48 This is definitely my most intense personal challenge. I’ve created to-do lists for years… and they are helpful… yet lately (for longer than I’d like to admit) I inevitably end up NOT doing those items either. ☹️ For bonus points (of the insane type), I then create a new, similar to-do list somewhere else (e.g., Post-It, Excel, notepad). … and then NOT do those items either. 09:16 Yuuuuuuuuuup that’s me. Like, WTH self? What is my glitch here? 🤪

I usually have a main to do list (that I rate from 1 to 10 based on importance) then I choose 3 things to do that need to be done that week. Of course depending on the week, maybe only one thing will get done from that list ( anything with due date, money and/or medical gets done right away regardless of what's going on in life, though) but that's okay!

Good video. One of my cautions about the bed making is you do need to pull back the covers and air it properly first - it's not very hygienic to make it as soon as you get up :)

Love these tips! Also, love the chair!!! Is it an original Herman Miller?! 🤗

I am an avid believer in "clean before you break". There is nothing more dpressing to me than getting up in the morning - ESPECIALLY after long night - and seeing the kitchen/living room/dining area be a complete mess. The thought of having to to deal with all of that before I can really start my day instantly got me into a bad mood. Now that I clean ship before I go to bed, I can start the day fresh and remember the fun of last night instead of dreading the work.

Great tips!!! Super helpful. Thank you 🥰 If possible can you write out the 10 tips in the description box pls?

Inspiring video 👌😀

Don’t put it down put it away was one of my grandmothers repeated sayings!! And I’m 74 !! 😉 Joan

This video is bringing me to 😢. My things are choking me. Bn trying n working for months to let go of shoes, furniture, decor, clothes even teabags lmao that I dont even wear or use. N free up space... Thanks for this video

A lot of great tips here! 💕 The «just get started» might be a personal preference thing though? There should be a balance for sure, but for me personally it helps to get things out of my head so I can get to work! 💪 Otherwise I risk using a lot of mental energy constantly rechecking and reviewing what I have to do and that I haven’t forgotten anything 😅 But balance is key, also wasteful to spend all your energy on creating the perfect list 🙃

I like what you said about, if I can do this…consistently put my shoes away… who knows what other habit/goal I can achieve.

Keep 3 tasks only in the to do list wow that’s really amazing

Darn it I just bought some blue land! I did get a discount not sure as good as 20%. Can’t wait to get them!

Thanks

Omg the Brooklyn 99 reference - thats me every night LOL

Habit #2 is such a cliche but it’s the biggest life hack ever. Making the bed can take 15 seconds (I just straighten out the duvet and cover the pillows with it, done) and you automatically start the day on a pleasant and productive foot. And it takes just a few seconds!!!

Christina, just random question and nothing bad judging, are you currently taking iron supplements? If yes , how long have you taken it? If not did you take it in the past?

Ok extra points for that clip of Brooklyn 99 ❤ hahaha

A M E N. to all of those suggestions.

Not to mention making the bed does make me feel less stressed when I eslk into the bedroom only to see my nicely made bed just waiting for me! In addition , it is way more comfortable to sleep in a made bed than an unmade one. The energy it takes to straighten out the bed to be *good enough to sleep in* takes more energy before bed than if I had just made it in the morning.....

New subscriber here! 🫐🥑🍒

Regarding making the bed: I don't make my bed because I like it to air out during the day.

You mentioned a book Effortless. Can you post the information please?

13:13 made me give the side-eye to my absolutely cluttered coat stand...

Could you do a apartment tour?

I read somewhere that overthinking means you just end up doing the thing twice.

I really liked this video! Thank you for the tips. By the way, your last name is the same as some of my relatives'. Are you Greek ?

🖤

🖐🏼🙂

If you think you’re close to having a mental breakdown just because your hungry, girl you have never had a real mental breakdown, which is fine but don’t use the word as a throw away x

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