I had an awakening one day — I was bored out of my mind. At work, my brain was elsewhere. It would race ahead to my next task or replay what had already gone. My life was cluttered — just like my home. My schedule had become overly busy and my thoughts overcrowded. And that’s when I decided to simplify. My life would only consist of what was necessary…
I wanted cleaner air to breathe. I wanted my days (and nights) to flow more smoothly.
And just like that, the 30 Days Simple Living Challenge was created.
It’s not about giving up every material thing you own and living off the grid. Simple living is about creating room (in your house, mind, and schedule) to allow yourself to focus on what’s important. Here’s a month’s worth of mini-challenges that will help you take one small step at a time towards a more simple, serene life.
30 Days Simple Living Challenge
1. Day 1 – Declutter One Small Space
Pick one corner of your bedroom, one shelf, or one drawer and clear it out. Throw away or donate anything you don’t use or love. Then organize what’s left.
Winning now motivates you for later. If you see you can declutter and simplify one small space now, you’ll be motivated to keep going.
2. Day 2 – Digital Declutter
Take 10 minutes to declutter your phone/computer today.
Delete unused files.
Uninstall unused apps.
Create folders to organize the rest.
Digital clutter stresses you out just as physical clutter does.
When your computer is clear and organized, you’ll feel clear and organized too.
3. Day 3 – Create a Simple Morning Routine
Waking up doesn’t have to be hectic. Create a short morning routine that you can do daily.
Drink a glass of water.
Stretch.
Map out your day.
Life will flow a lot smoother when you start with intention rather than diving headfirst into chaos.
4. Day 4 – Conscious Eating
Eat slowly. Taste your food.
Smell it.
Notice it.
Put your fork down between bites.
Not only will you help your digestion by eating slowly, but you’ll find yourself fuller with less food.
5. Day 5 – Put Away All Your Electronics for One Hour Before Bedtime
No TV, phone, or computer one hour before bed. Take this time to read a book, journal, or listen to calming music.
You’ll sleep better, which will improve your mood, focus, and energy levels, and the CDC recommends adults get at least 7 hours of sleep per night.
Read also: 7 Ways to Stop Living on Autopilot
6. Day 6 – Determine Your Top 3 Priorities Right Now
Life is too short to try and do it all. Determine your top three priorities for yourself right now. It can be work, relationships, or self-growth. Write them down and post them somewhere you’ll see them daily.
They will be your north star and help you make decisions for the remainder of this challenge.
7. Day 7 – Declutter Your Closet
Go through your closet. If you haven’t worn it in the last year, donate or store it somewhere else. The less clothing you have to look through, the simpler your decision-making will be.
8. Day 8 – Take a Slow Walk With No Distractions
Go for a walk without your headphones, phone, or listening to a podcast. Enjoy the sensation of the air against your skin, the colors around you, and how your body feels as you walk.
It’ll force you to stay present.
Read also: 15 Simple and Effective Ways to Stay Focused and Eliminate Distractions
9. Day 9 – Make a Home-Cooked Meal With Real Food
Eat something that you made with fresh ingredients. Not only will cooking at home allow you to control what you’re putting into your body, but you’ll truly appreciate the food you eat. Show yourself some love by keeping it simple.
10. Day 10 – Stop Multi-Tasking
Focus on one task at a time. We are told that multitasking is great, but being distracted and trying to do too much usually stresses us out and decreases the quality of our work.
11. Day 11 – Clean Out Your Calendar
Look at your schedule for the next week and eliminate anything that’s non-essential. The more free space you allow on your calendar, the more free space you allow in your mind.
12. Day 12 – Take a Walk Outside
Spend 20 minutes outside. Sit on your porch, lounge in a park, or just enjoy your own backyard. Nature refreshes your mind and releases tension, as described in the American Psychological Association’s discussion of being nurtured by nature.
13. Day 13 – Free Write for 10 Minutes
Grab a notebook and write for 10 minutes. Jot down whatever comes to mind. If you don’t know what to write, think about how you’re feeling or what you can see around you. Do not worry about spelling or grammar.
Journaling is like giving your mind clutter a place to stay on the page.
14. Day 14 – No Phone at Meals
Place your phone in the other room when you eat. Focus on your food and those you’re eating with. Being present during meals will allow you to connect deeper.
15. Day 15 – Clean Out Your Subscriptions
Look through your streaming services, apps, and magazine subscriptions. Remove anything you don’t watch, use, or read.
You’ll free up more money and mental space.
16. Day 16 – Say No to Everything That Doesn’t Align With Your Top Three Priorities
When opportunities or situations arise that don’t support or align with your top priorities, say no. These extra commitments just steal your time and energy.
17. Day 17 – Ten Minute Tidy Up
Set a timer for ten minutes and clean one small area. Setting small timers will allow messes from building up.
18. Day 18 – Identify What Drains You
Pay attention to what depletes your energy. Is it certain people? Tasks? Habits? Once you identify what drains you, you can avoid it or set boundaries.
19. Day 19 – Write Down What You’re Grateful For
Write down three things you’re grateful for each day. Not only will this mini habit improve your mood, but it’ll train your mind to look for the good in every situation.
20. Day 20 – Give Something Away
Go through your things and find something that someone could use and you don’t need. Donate it. Letting go of physical things will help you feel light again.
21. Day 21 – Plan Ahead
Decide your outfit the night before. Prepare meals ahead of time. If you have big plans on your schedule, block off that time today. It will help you wake up ready to crush the day.
22. Day 22 – Call an Old Friend
Pick up the phone and call someone you care about. FaceTime, visit, or have dinner with them. You don’t have to have some extravagant dinner. Simply eat with them and have a conversation without distractions.
Humans are connection mammals. We need strong relationships to feel fulfilled.
23. Day 23 – Declutter Your Bathroom
Check your bathrooms for expired products. Makeup, medicine, or hair tools. Throw away anything that you no longer use.
24. Day 24 – Turn Off Your Notifications
Put your phone on silent or turn off all unnecessary notifications. The less you’re interrupted by beeps and notifications, the more you’ll be able to focus.
25. Day 25 – Unsubscribe
Unfollow people on social media that don’t bring you joy. Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read. You’ll free up more time and space.
26. Day 26 – Take 10 Deep Breaths
Inhale for four seconds. Hold for four seconds. Exhale for four seconds. Hold for four seconds.
This deep breathing technique will allow you to relax your nervous system and clear the clutter from your mind, and it fits within common relaxation techniques like deep breathing.
27. Day 27 – Keep Your Goals Simple
Your goals should come with small actionable steps you can take daily. Remember that slow and steady wins the race.
28. Day 28 – Take Time to Do Something You Love
Whether it’s painting, watching your favorite show, or reading a book. Allow yourself to have fun and relax. It doesn’t always have to be productive.
29. Day 29 – Sit With Stillness
Allow yourself a few minutes of quiet. Whether that means meditating, stretching, or sitting in silence, let your mind rest.
30. Day 30 – Journey Through This Challenge
Look back on the past 30 days. Take notice of your growth, no matter how small it may be. From here on out, you can choose which habits you’d like to continue.
Living simply isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making room for the things that are.
FAQ
1. Do I have to do every day perfectly for this to work?
No. Living simply isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making room for the things that are.
2. What if I miss a day in the challenge?
Pick back up where you left off and keep going. One small step at a time is still progress.
3. Where should I start if I feel overwhelmed?
Start with Day 1 and declutter one small space. Winning now motivates you for later.
4. How do I make this challenge feel sustainable after 30 days?
Look back on the past 30 days and choose which habits you’d like to continue from here on out.
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