Is there a silver lining to the Covid-19 pandemic? It could be that people are returning to a simpler lifestyle.

A simpler life involves less physical and mental clutter, cost-savings thanks to consciously careful spending and more time to practise gratitude.

Here are eight tips to help you change your lifestyle.

1. You must be sure you need to change

Ask yourself:

• What do I think of my life right now?
• What areas in my life would I like to be different?
• What do I think can be done to change those areas?

Making a change is easier when you have a good understanding of why you are doing it.

Remember two things: It is your life, you control it; and, if you want it, take action.

2. Declutter/downsize

Before rebuilding, you must reduce to start with a clear space. This means you need to declutter all areas of your life.

• Declutter physical stuff

Start by decluttering the home. Take three empty boxes and label them donate, sell, throw away/recycle. Take it one room at a time, asking:

• Is this item broken, faulty, cannot fit? (Have not used or worn it in XX months.)
• Do I still need this item?
• Does this item make me happy? If any answer is “no”, check the condition of the item and place it in one of the three boxes. Little by little you will see your home transforming into a pleasant and tidy place to live in.

• Declutter your mind

Carve out time to begin every day intentionally and think about all the things you plan to do. Set a realistic schedule and make an achievable to-do list.

At the end of the day, reflect on what you did, what you achieved, what went well and what could have gone better.

Write down your thoughts with areas to put positive and negative comments. Try to see things in a positive light.

Eventually, the lists get shorter with more meaningful activities.

• Declutter your digital space

Use electronic gadgets with more purpose. Curate your existing data into more organised folders. Throw out digital trash. Archive important data.

Review your social media accounts to unfollow accounts that do not bring positive value.

Set a schedule for when you use your gadgets and apps. Keep what you need that adds value to your life. Take your time.

3. Do you know how to say no?

Some people find it hard to say no, but knowing how to do this well is an important life skill.

Say no to jam-packed schedules, long to-do lists and bad habits. There will always be things you cannot refuse but you need to organise and prioritise.

4. Try a no-spending challenge

A no-spending challenge can help boost your finances. For a certain duration, pledge not to buy anything beyond the basic necessities.

If that seems too hard, set aside a few regular “zero purchase” days. This will help you realise what you already own, what you really need and what you don’t need.

5. Practise conscious shopping

Before you spend money, stop and think first:

• Is there a reason to buy it?
• Am I sure I need it?
• Do I feel angry or sad?
• What happens if I don’t have it? Would it negatively impact my life?
• Do I still have an existing item that works?

Or try this strategy for mindful spending:

• Find out what makes you spend and then avoid it: You may realise that each time you go to a shopping mall or an online shopping website, you buy something. Try to avoid these triggers or reduce them.
• Apply the 30-day principle: Take 30 days to reflect before making a purchase. You often realise you don’t really need it.
• Set financial goals: This could include an emergency fund or saving a deposit for a house. In short, change your priority from spending to saving.
• Set a budget: Once the financial goals are set, make plans to achieve them by setting a budget. Many individuals do not know how much money they spend every month, and this is a good way to find out and control spending.

6. Cherish what you already have

Be happy with what you have so you will want fewer things. Enjoy the nice little things you do have. Write down things you appreciate. Odds are your list will consist of small delights and pleasures.

7. Spend money on experiences, not things

Experiences are more exciting and satisfying than material things. Experiences never disappear, things do. Things make us happy, but only for a little while.

Life experiences shape our identity. Experiences can include doing things to make yourself or someone else happy or exploring something you have never tried before.

8. Lend, borrow, substitute, DIY, repair, donate

Create a culture of sharing, trading, borrowing, DIY, or repairing. Exchange stuff you don’t need with friends, relatives and neighbours who may have things they no longer require that could be useful to you.

Conclusion

Learning how to live with less changes your outlook on life. When you change your objectives, take charge of your money and notice life’s little things, living with less turns into a pleasant, meaningful life.

This article first appeared in MyPF. Follow MyPF to simplify and grow your personal finances on Facebook and Instagram.