Simplify your space

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When people think of simplicity the first thing they often think of is stuff. When stuff begins to cause us stress or when we are spending excessive amounts of time in our day managing our stuff, it is likely time to simplify. When things don’t have a place to call “home” (Think of “junk drawers” or “junk garages”),  it might be an indication that you have too many belongings. Stuff can distract us from what or where the Lord is calling us to. Time spent managing our things could better be spent investing directly in our families and communities.

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It is also our job as parents to protect our children from the burden of too much stuff. In his book, Simplicity Parenting, Dr. Payne states, “If you overwhelm a child with stuff-with choices and pseudochoices-before they are ready, they will only know one emotional gesture: ‘More!’” (Pg. 59) Too many choices and excess stuff can overwhelm our children and instill discontentment in their hearts. We need to make sure stuff is put in its proper place in our hearts and lives. There are whole books written on the best ways to declutter, but here are a few practical tips for how to simplify your spaces:

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1. Start with high-traffic areas first: Starting with areas that see the most use will provide immediate results. Break it up into manageable chunks- tackle one drawer, shelf, or corner at a time. Success in small areas builds momentum to keep going.

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2. The “One In, One Out” Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, remove an existing item. This helps prevent clutter from accumulating and can be especially helpful with managing kid toys and clothes.

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3. Five-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than five minutes to complete, do it immediately (Ex: making the bed, hanging up clothes at the end of the day, unloading the dishwasher)

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4. Cut back on visual clutter by keeping surfaces clear: Clutter isn’t just “stuff” lying around. It’s visual noise. Every pile of laundry, stack of dishes, or scattered toys sends a message to your brain: “This needs your attention.” Clutter creates mental stress because it represents unfinished tasks. It’s not just what you see; it’s what you feel every time you pass by that overflowing junk drawer. A tidy space immediately feels calmer, giving your brain a break from constant visual reminders of unfinished tasks and the ability to be fully present.

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5. Set boundaries for birthdays and Christmas: Share your vision with your family and friends. Opt for experiences over items or expendable gifts (art supplies, craft kits, etc.). Handmaking practical gifts for others can also be a fun shared experience, while still keeping “stuff” to a minimum.

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Simplify your schedule

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In a culture that applauds busyness, simplifying your schedule might feel like an uphill battle. When we embrace simplicity, we aren’t retreating from the world, but are in turn returning to what truly endures. Elizabeth Elliot once said, “By trying to do too much, we can rob our children of the very thing we most want to give them: ourselves.” When you look at your schedule (personally and as a family), what does it say about what you want your legacy to be?  How you choose to spend your time will ultimately direct the course of your life and will shape your identity, both individually and collectively. Hold your calendar next to your family’s mission statement. Do the activities you choose to engage in draw you closer to your ultimate vision for your family or is it pulling you further away from who you want your family to become?

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1. Implement a Sabbath: The Sabbath is God’s Biblically commanded gift to his followers. He knew that we would need to prioritize and protect a weekly time of rest. Choose one day a week as your family’s Sabbath day. Try to refrain from to-do lists and find ways to intentionally rest and refresh as a family and as individuals. Sabbath is about “abstaining”, but it is also about delighting. Creating signposts that set the day apart can help you and your family engage and delight in Sabbath (ex: Lighting a special candle at the beginning of Sabbath dinner and reciting the Lord’s prayer, a special breakfast, a family walk at dusk, game time or a special read aloud together before bed).

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2. Choose activities wisely and intentionally: In today’s world of travel sports, competitive extracurriculars, and social engagements, there are hundreds of things your family can choose to get involved in. While none of these things are inherently bad, your time is limited and precious. It is important to choose wisely and intentionally, always keeping in mind the legacy you want for your family. Start with the end in mind and trace back to the present. Think about how you want your children to remember their time in the home. Pray and ask God for wisdom to direct your time in ways that glorify Him.

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3. Say “no” in order to say “yes” to the best things: For every “yes” you say, you are saying “no” to something else. Saying “yes” to some regular activities may take away from family dinners or Sabbath days. Committing to an extra work project might cause you to not be available to help a friend. Take time to think through what is most important and make your “yeses” the best ones

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Simplify your screens

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If you have ever looked at your daily screen time usage before, you probably know just how easy it can be to spend more time than you expected in front of a screen (doomscrolling, getting caught up in a news story, watching “just one more” episode, etc.) While we don’t have to give up screens entirely, we must be wary of giving too much of our energy and emotional input to it. We have to put technology in its proper place so we can create space to worship, play and rest. When we intentionally simplify our screentime by creating healthy boundaries, we are better able to respond to the flesh and blood the Lord has placed in our path. Here are a few practical tips on how to simplify your screentime:

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1. Be picky about what you subscribe to: Almost every company now wants you to get on their subscriber list, boasting a discount if you sign up for texts and emails. Soon your inbox is filled with deals, enticing you to buy now. Take time to go through your subscription list periodically. Hitting that “unsubscribe” button is difficult when companies promise you’ll “miss out” on insider information, but simplifying your list will not only free up your inbox, but will also save your pocketbook and support the simplification process in your home as well.

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2. Use a simplified news outlet: Companies like The Pour Over provide a simplified way to interact with the news from the Christian perspective. \

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1. Complete a media challenge- If you’re really looking to take an intentional break from screens for a time, we encourage you to complete a media challenge. Start by tracking your screentime usage for a day or two (we promise it will be an eye-opening experience) and then set a daily time limit (or go without it completely for a time). When boundaries are in place, it necessitates a greater intentionality with the allotted time. You could invite a friend to do the challenge with you or even make it into a competition.

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