Everyone is familiar with spring cleaning, but what about summer cleaning? The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week, and it’s a great time to declutter, clear your mind, and determine what’s truly important in life. Here are a few ways you can celebrate this year!
Start a Donation Pile
We’re all guilty of impulse buying an item or two (or three) that we end up never using and forgetting about. Right now, there’s a good chance that you have a couple of unused items sitting in your attic and collecting dust, and have no intention of using them anytime soon. This week, declutter your home and help others by collecting items you no longer need and donating them to your local Goodwill. Your unwanted items will find a new home with someone who needs them.
Destress Daily
After a long day at work, the best feeling in the world is coming home and treating yourself to your favorite de-stressing activity. Some people love to do yoga, meditate, read a book, or go for a quick run, while others like to watch their favorite TV show, indulge in a bowl of ice cream, spend time with friends, or take a cozy nap. Dedicate some time each day to do an activity that relaxes you, and you’ll be surprised at how much better you feel.
Deep Clean Your Home
It’s remarkable what a difference it can make to take a day or two and deep clean your house. The best way to start this process is to clean one room at a time, as this will help you feel less overwhelmed. First, locate items you no longer need that can be donated, sold, or disposed of. Next, tidy up your leftover items and, if desired, purchase some storage bins to keep everything organized. After that, grab the cleaning supplies and sweep, mop, and dust. By the end, your home will feel brand new!
Invest in a Planner
An excellent way to curb your stress and get peace of mind is to purchase a personal planner, and start using it to keep track of your to-do list and daily schedule. Keeping all of your plans in one place will help you feel more in control of your life and ensure you don’t miss any important meetings. If you’re not into old-fashioned pen and paper, you can also check out the wide variety of virtual planners available online.
Consolidate Your Debt
Just as these other measures can bring clarity and help reduce your stress, there are few things that can get you on the way to a simpler, carefree life than harnessing your debt. Sometimes, it’s as simple as a debt consolidation loan or a home equity loan or line of credit. It’s not only easier to turn multiple bills into one, it’s also usually better financially, as you can often consolidate into one interest rate.
A Lifetime Change
Even after National Simplify Your Life Week is over, we hope you’ll continue to practice self-care throughout the year. By continuing to declutter, destress, and simplify on a regular basis, you’ll be better equipped to live a happy and fulfilling life. Enjoy this week, keep up the good work, and let us know if we can help.
