20 Simplifying Tasks for 2020

It’s a new year and a new decade. Many of us have made goals or resolutions or chosen a word of the year. And right about now is when it gets a little harder to dig in and work towards those objectives. If one of your goals this year is to simplify and live life more, here are 20 tasks that will keep you moving in the right direction.

Before we get rolling…this a list of tasks to choose from. I have not done all of them, nor will I do all of them in the next few months. This list provides choices.

1. Purge one room

A good purge always makes me feel so good. If you’re new to simplifying, choose a room that isn’t too hard and doesn’t contain a lot of sentimental items. If you’ve simplified a lot of your home, maybe it’s time to tackle the hard stuff, the room you’ve been putting off. Set aside an hour or two and go through the room, physically touching and making a decision on each item: does it stay or does it go? This task is totally worth it.

2. Set Quarterly Goals

Maybe you missed the New Year’s rush of goal setting and want to start now. There are no rules you MUST make goals on January 1. Read more on how we set Quarterly Goals.

3. Make a book list for the year

The reason we simplify isn’t for simplifying itself, it’s to free up more of our time and energy for worthier things. I just finished Little Fires Everywhere (an incredibly good, but hard fiction book about motherhood). Atomic Habits and The Life Giving Home are on deck.

4. Plan and mark the calendar for some adventures with your people

Recently Kevin and I sat down and plotted out our adventures for 2020. This could be a visit to a local museum or your backyard or across the country. I believe there are adventures to be had everywhere.

5. Give your time away to something you’re passionate about for an hour, a day, or on a weekly basis

At church, at your kids’ school, at a local soup kitchen, even at home writing thank you cards or making flyers for an organization. Giving to others literally can make you happier.

6. Clear off one surface 

Cluttered surfaces matter. Set a timer for five minutes and clear one surface.

7. Create a capsule wardrobe that is ‘enough’ for you

There isn’t a magic number, just what is enough for you and your family. Click here to see my capsule from this fall.

8. Say ‘yes’ to your kids when you want to say no.

Next time my son asks me to play cars, I WILL say yes to him. (Repeat this mantra until I actually do it.)

9. Start journaling

I started journaling this year and it has made a big difference in my attitude and my ability to handle stress. I highly recommend.

10. Try something new that scares you just a little

A dear friend inspired me when she tried Cross Fit (and loved it). I think I will take all four kids to the Children’s Museum. Check, Check, Check, Check.

11. Practice prayer

We all have our own perspectives on prayer. I like to tie it to a part of my day: in the morning when I’m nursing Jack. And when a friend asks for prayer instead of text back, ‘Praying for you!’, I go ahead and try and pray right then and there. Being intentional with prayer has allowed me to make it a part of my everyday.

12. Take a week off from social media

After doing this I felt lighter and happier. I’ll be honest when I say it was hard to go back. A break was good for me.

13. Take notice of kitchen towels, bath towels, and pens

These are non-sentimental items and the probability that all of us have too many is high. (I’m raising my hand.) If you’re wanting to simplify, ruthlessly declutter these things and you will feel lighter.

14. Go on a date with your husband or one of your kids

If you can’t make it out with your husband, take a kid and peruse the book store and grab a bakery treat. Quality time with the ones you love is always time well spent.

15. Read a book as a family

Some good places to start: The Boxcar Children, My Father’s Dragon, The Magic Tree House Series, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Winnie-the-Pooh.

16. Find and listen to a podcast

The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, The Purpose Show, The Next Right Thing, The Good List

17. Ask your kids what they want to do on a Saturday and then do it.

Donuts? Ice skating? A new movie? (Almost) anything goes.

18. Get rid of 20 things right now

Take a garbage bag and go through your home ruthlessly. Place 20 things in the bag, no excuses.

19. Record everything you purchase for a week

Money matters and I believe the only way to know what you’re spending and where you’re spending it is to write it down. I’ve heard good things about the Every Dollar app.

20. Create something

Draw with your kids, take a photograph and frame it, write a letter to a friend, bake some cookies, DIY something, make a meal from scratch. Creation > Consumption

Please don’t go off and think you need to do all these tasks. Choose one or two and see how it goes. If you need something more, do another. I am excited about what this decade will hold. If you decide to do one of these or come up with something on your own…please share in the comments!