morning – Mind Beauty Simplicity

Minimalism is a mindset that can transform your life. Believe me, I know first hand. Although it is common to focus on the visible clutter & how those spaces can cloud our minds & judgments; what if I told you minimalism is far more than this? Minimalism is an intentional lifestyle. And with the simple shift in perspective & daily habits, you too can head down the road to simple & simplistic living. Here are 10 Minimalist Habits That Will Change Your Life:

Don’t Scroll Your Phone First Thing

In the morning, it was habitual of me to roll over on my side, reach over to my nightstand, unplug my phone from its charger & scroll socials for hours before I even got out of bed. Recently, I’ve turned a new leaf & decided to store my phone on my dresser which is a good walking distance away from where I sleep. This way, when my alarm goes off, I have no choice but to get out of bed & turn it off. In the past, I’ve talked about how decluttering your digital space is essential in staying productive. But this also goes with the amount of time we spend on these devices. By limiting my screen time in the morning, I start my day with a clearer mind. Another suggestion is to not scroll your phone right when you get up. As soon as you turn your alarm off, put the home down & continue your typical morning tasks. Go downstairs & drink some coffee in silence. Once you’ve been up for a while, then you can check your messages.

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Slow Down

Slow living is what minimalists use to help them live more in the moment. Instead of being in a rush & almost forcefully adding too much on your plate, stop & take a moment to breathe. It’s called living for a reason. No matter what you may be doing, it is so important to truly be present & acknowledge what you are doing. This way, you can learn to better appreciate yourself & your routines. Most mornings, I enjoy slowly getting out of bed, making my way to the kitchen table & just be with my thoughts for a second with a glass of water in hand. Some of this has to do with the fact I am not a morning person whatsoever & I need time to mentally wake up. But this relaxing moment of just being & not rushing out the door or to exercise helps me stay grounded & stress free.

Prioritize Your Energy Wisely

Lately with blogging, I’ve had to prioritize my routine to what is actually working vs. what is a complete waste of energy. I felt like I was comfortable in such a sedentary lifestyle where I would spend hours on my laptop trying to create content that would hopefully boost my success rates. I realized some of the things I was doing showed no change in results. As I started to cut back in my tasks & prioritizing just a few, I began to develop more of a balance. This mindset can be used in all aspects of life whether it’s with friendships, work or even your free time.

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Don’t Rush Your To Do List

When it comes to making a list of daily tasks, I like to consider them things I’d like to do vs. things I have to do. Rewording it this way releases the pressure & stress of completing said tasks. And ever since I shifted my mindset, I am more inclined to finish the list no matter how long it may be. I noticed when I get myself stressed out over anything, it causes this self sabotage in my mind. The more overwhelmed I feel the less likely I’ll actually accomplish it. Another tactic I discovered with handling my to-do list is the 3 item to-do list method which is determining 3 of your most important tasks of the day & write those down. This will help you understand the power of priorities.

Move Your Body

Sitting on the couch, hunched over a laptop all day isn’t good. As a blogger, I need this sentence drilled in my mind. I’ve learned my creative juices need a break once in a while & a 30 minute or one hour workout won’t hurt me. It will actually benefit me in keeping a healthier lifestyle & clear my foggy writers block. Getting outdoors & breathing in the fresh air is an added bonus. I’ve been reminding myself to get out in nature even if it’s simply helping with yard work or just reading a book on our deck under an umbrella. That vitamin d has truly made a difference.

Practice Gratitude

Whether it’s a daily journal entry or a short statement in your head, practicing gratitude will help you see life in a different light. I truly believe when you start focusing on the good, the good things start flooding in. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t devalue other emotions other than happiness, but to develop a sense of grace & understanding of life’s situations. Even on your worst days, think of at least one thing you are appreciative of & you will notice yourself releasing such negativity & feeling much better.

Be More Present

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I’m having a conversation with someone & that person is faced down & glued to their phone screen. All you hear is the occasional “mhmm” or “ok”. Instead, truly engage with the person. Look them in the eye & add valuable rebuttals. Developing relationships & friendships are one of the main highlights to our lives. Put effort into the ones you want & let them know they matter to you by putting the phone down once in a while.

Focus on Quality Time

After a long day of work, my fiancé & I love carving out a few hours in the evening just for us. Whether it’s eating dinner together or watching a tv series or simply having an un- erupted conversation; having this quality time with each other is something we always look forward to. I think it’s easy for people to believe they don’t have time for certain “so called meaningless activities”. But I’m here to tell you these moments aren’t meaningless. They are what maintains your relationships & friendships.

Nightly Clean Ups

Before you go to bed, make sure all the dishes in the sink are cleaned off or put in the dishwasher. Meal prep & have it set for the week a head or the next morning. Make sure the living area is picked up & arranged in a tidy manner. Quickly wipe up any noticeable stains or crumbs on tables.This should not be a deep clean but simply a short reset for the next day. This way, you start your next day on a clean slate. Nothing bothers me more is waking up to a messy house. These nightly clean ups reduces this stress.

Create A Donate Bin

Decluttering can be quite the task if you do it in one sitting. Having a designated bin either in your closet or spare room can help you. Anytime you put on an outfit you end up hating or doesn’t fit, throw it in the bin. Did you find some decor or gadgets you no longer wish to use, put them in the bin as well. Once the bin is full, you can then send it on its way when you have the time. This allows you to continuously downsize your space on a regular basis.

By keeping these 10 habits in mind, you can slowly shift into a more simple & intentional lifestyle. Let me know in the comments other habits you do to make your routines more at ease.

-B

It took me a long time to realize how important self care is to our mind, body & soul. In a world where society preaches “the grind never stops” & “sleep is for the weak”, we almost get in the habit of thinking when we slow down & make time for ourselves it means we are being lazy & unproductive. As I’ve been adapting intentional living in my routines, I’ve learned it’s completely ok to take a breather for a while & just be. Slowing down & taking time for myself has helped me manage feelings of burnout & fatigue. I have gained a sense of balance. Here are 10 Mindful Self Care Techniques I Do Regularly:

Morning Stretches: I have found as someone who is not a morning person whatsoever, taking the time to do some slow morning stretches or a short yoga practice helps me wake up & become energized for my day. I can feel rather stiff as soon as I wake up & this light movement & meditation grounds myself for the tasks ahead. It’s so important to stretch as it promotes proper blood flow & loosens up those tight joints after being asleep for 7 to 8 hours. This practice has also helped me with any feelings of anxiety or stress I may be having in the moment. Focusing on my breath & just intentionally slowing down teaches me to let go of these feelings of needing to always rush.

2. Make Your Bed: I am someone who wouldn’t make their bed in the past because I had the mindset it was pointless since I’d be getting right back in it later. But as I’ve developed the habit of making my bed in the morning, it immediately makes me feel like I have my life on track. And when I return to it in the evening, it’s nice to see a tidy bed awaiting me. The idea of appreciating slow living & properly doing my tasks has helped me let go of the notion of feeling like I never had time for such a small task. Before, I would always rush out of bed & let the sheets go haphazard & return to the mess later. It seems like such a silly change but I’m telling you it shifts your entire mindset for the rest of the day.

3. Wash Your Face: Would you believe if I told you I have a one step skin care routine? I’ve learned the more products you use on the skin, the more clogged it can be. Not to mention, I have rather sensitive skin, so experimenting with products is usually the wrong way to go. I simply use a gentle facial cleaner & wipe away with water. And somedays, I’ll just use water. To some of you, that may sound insane. But I’m telling you, my skin has been the most clear in years. Even though my skincare routine is fairly simple, it is still a vital step in self care. The feeling of clean face is underrated.

4. Fuel Your Body: Be mindful what you put into your body. But also be attuned to what your body may need. I’m someone who doesn’t like the concept of diet culture & more so someone who is striving for a balanced yet healthy lifestyle. If you feel you need more carbs one day, go ahead & eat that pasta. Having a sense of balance & understanding of properly fueling the body is a form of self care not a lot of us consider. Lately, I’ve been loving starting my day with a strawberry & banana smoothie. I’ll sit down at the kitchen table & savor each drop.

5. Rest: When we are in the swing of life & on the road to accomplishing goals, we forget burnout can creep up on us all of a sudden. I learned taking a break, resting & getting proper sleep are key components to staying productive & creative. A few months ago, I took a break from my blogging passion & that hiatus gave me the fuel to come back more creative than ever. If you want to hear more about this, click here. Make sure you get proper sleep. No one really thinks you are more successful if you pull all nighters on the regular. Sleep is in & burnout is out.

6. Vitamin D: Sunlight is the ultimate self care ingredient. I can’t even describe the feeling I get when I go outside even for just 15 minutes. Being cooped up in a house can be detrimental to the psyche. I’ve made the habit of getting outside more often whether it’s writing a blog post on our back deck or taking a walk in the early evenings. You can take vitamins to help boost these levels but there is something about getting it from its nature source that seems so much better.

7. Spending Time With Quality People: I guard my energy like it’s a piece of gold. I no longer try to waste time on people who drain it from me. Especially when I’m in the need of proper self care, I make sure to spend time with people who lift me up like my closest friends, boyfriend & family. Self care doesn’t have to be a lonely endeavor. I’m looking forward to seeing friends & family more often this summer & have proper get togethers. I’ve realized how much I need that to maintain happiness.

8. Cry it Out: I think society preaches the idea of positivity too hard. Instead, we need to be more acceptant of all emotions even if it’s negative ones. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned it’s ok to cry & that release is actually rather therapeutic. Anytime I am at this breaking point, I will either go to a room & lock the door or take a shower. But allowing myself to get those feelings out, as intense as it may feel, always relieves the pain I was holding in at the time.

9. Laugh it Out: Whenever I’m feeling down or just need some quality me time, I always find myself looking for funny videos or tv shows to watch. Some of my best moments are scrolling through TikToks with my boyfriend in the evenings. We catch ourselves laughing our asses off & honestly that feeling is magic to the soul.

10. Collecting Experiences: One of the best feelings is discovering a new place or learning a new activity. I think we all have the right to immerse ourselves in all kinds of experiences – new & old. Making memories & truly living in the moment is something we all need to do more often. I new outfit or a new makeup product doesn’t give me the amount of joy adventures do. It enriches the soul & brings a sense of happiness that is priceless.

Self care can mean a lot of things. It’s not just a pampering day at the spa or even a luxury trip. It’s something only you can define for yourself. It’s what brings you joy & rejuvenates your entire existence. Honestly, my self care list is never ending. Each day, I discover something new that helps keep the balance. Having a mindset of prioritizing such a need is something we all should get in the habit of doing. There is no shame in taking care of yourself.

What have you been doing for self care lately? I’d like to add more to my list.

-B

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10 Minimalist Habits That Will Change Your Life