If you’ve jumped onto the simple living trend, bringing new simple living habits into your summer can help you live more intentionally and feel more mindful this summer, leading to greater rest and relaxation. If you’re looking for ways to simplify life this summer, you might consider different areas in which you can commit less–such as in scheduling, spending, or holding on to items you no longer need.
Go through your summer clothes
Going through your summer wardrobe to get rid of things that no longer fit or match your style is a great way to feel a little bit lighter and live a little bit more simply. When we get rid of excess items that we’re no longer using, we not only open up mental space for ourselves to think more clearly, we also have less physical items to organize, keep track of, and wash and organize. If you’re finding that your size or style has changed, doing a comb through of what is no longer working for you can help you to free up space and time to focus on more things that are important to you.
Commit to unplugging this summer
Taking time away from screens, phones, emails, and the internet can also simplify your summer. I hear from many people that once they start scrolling, it’s easy to just keep going, wasting valuable time and energy you could be using to commit to your passions. In addition, we can feel pressured by checking in on social media sites to do more, achieve more, and even spend more. By keeping an eye on our screen time, we eliminate pressures and distractions that add more things to our plate.
Clear your schedule to simplify life this summer
Extra commitments and unnecessary obligations can also make us feel stressed, distracted, and even resentful towards the people in our lives. Simplify your life this summer by getting rid of nonessential commitments and prioritize your time for the events and activities you actually care about. Using your precious summer time wisely will help you to feel more fulfilled and satisfied, and can also help you feel relaxed after the summer season, knowing that you made decisions that were in line with your values.
Check in with your spending this summer
When we spend impulsively or excessively, we feel stressed about financial security, and sometimes, we spend more often or at an increased rate when we’re feeling stressed. In order to live more simply, check in on the money you’re spending–are they convenience purchases you’ve made because you were stressed or busy, or are they intentional purchases that help you live the life that’s important to you?
Commit to the feeling of freedom
Summer allows us the opportunity to feel just a little bit more free–we can spend more time outside, potentially spend less time at work, and enjoy the relaxed feeling that the summer brings with it. Allow yourself the opportunity to free yourself from expectations and strict rules and schedules and allow yourself to flow more easily during the summer months.
About Samantha Nolan, MA, LPC, ATR- Barnum Counseling
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