ways to simplify your life

3 reasons to simplify your life and what that means

Published on April 29, 2019September 16, 2019 by Jamie ShugartLeave a comment

When you think of the word “simplify,” do you think of minimalists? People who own like one pair of socks and a sweater, or people who are downsizing to a house the size of a match box?

That’s not what I’m doing. When I set out to Simplify in 2019 (read that blog post here), it wasn’t my intention to throw out all of my possessions. I already did that last year, unintentionally, and while that gave me a bit of a head start on decluttering my life, it was just the beginning of simplifying.

Before I get ahead of myself though, if you want to follow along with our adventures of newlywed life, turning a house into a home, and all of the highs and lows of everyday life, click the subscribe button on the right (or at the bottom if you’re on mobile). It doesn’t send you crazy stuff or give your information to anyone—it just sends blog updates directly to you!

My beginning of simplifying was this: I really just wanted to slow down.

To get my priorities in line. To save time on tasks so that I had more freedom in my life.

I don’t know about you, but I dig the idea of freedom—freedom in my finances, freedom from being overwhelmed, and the freedom of a healthy schedule.

Sure, part of simplifying can be to own less, to declutter, and to donate half of your wardrobe if it doesn’t bring you joy. But the other half of the equation is to make decisions easier, to learn to say no, and to spend more time with the people most important to you.

Basically, simplifying is identifying what is most important to you and then eliminating the rest.

Here’s why that might be beneficial for you.

#1. You will be less overwhelmed.

There will be less to clean, less to do, and you will understand how, when, and why to say no. You will bring an end to overcommitment and stop being a slave to obligations.

Practical steps to get you started:
1. turn off notifications for basically everything on your phone so that you only see the important things.
2. have a calendar that you stick to and do not overbook.

#2. You will be more in tune with your needs vs. your wants.

Understanding your priorities will help with this. It will help your decisions become clearer—is this task, item, or activity going to help or hinder your priorities?

Practical steps:
1. make a list of 4-5 priories or things most important to you (and to your spouse/marriage). Put them in order of importance.
2. make a list of your commitments and then put them in oder of their priority.

For example, Will and I prioritize God, followed by each other/our marriage, our family, and THEN the other things in our lives, such as work, friends, serving at church, and other areas that can eat up time and resources.

#3. You will have time to pursue your passions and to travel.

With less clutter, fewer things to take care of, and a better handle on how to manage your time, it will be easier to find time to pursue passions and projects you may have had to avoid otherwise. You will also hopefully have a better handle on your finances and fewer things to take care of at home so that you can go on a vacation now and again.

Some seasons of life are much more busy than others. Priorities are not set in stone, and although your top tier will probably never change, the others on your list might. Bringing home a new baby, starting a new job, or buying a house are all things that will be an adjustment. Aiming to simplify can definitely provide solutions and freedom as you go through these transitions.

Y’all, simplifying is not the solution to every problem, but it has already been an amazing word to focus on in my 2019. I am so excited to continue this mantra to see where it takes us this year.

How do you feel about simplifying? I want to hear all of your thoughts in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like to let me know and don’t forget to join the family and subscribe!

Until next time,
Jamie out.

13 things to do unplugged with your spouse

Published on March 4, 2019July 17, 2019 by Jamie Shugart1 Comment

Is your love language quality time? Is your spouse’s love language quality time? Do you hate how much time we spend staring at our phones instead of being present with one another and fully invested in the moment? Friend, I am here for you!

But first thing’s first—if you want to follow along with our adventures of newlywed life, turning a house into a home, and all of the highs and lows of everyday life, click the subscribe button on the right (or at the bottom if you’re on mobile). It doesn’t send you crazy stuff or give your information to anyone—it just sends blog updates directly to you!

Friend, today I have 13 fun and unique things to do together with your spouse that do not involve social media, computers, or screen time of any kind. Put those phones away and stare into each others eyeballs for a sec, okay?

Let’s get started.

#1. Make something together. Whether you just picked up a new piece of furniture that has much assembly required or you want to repaint a dresser you picked up at a garage sale, get to work together!

#2. Have a picnic in your backyard. Spring is springing, the grass is greening, and the sun is shining. Break out your biggest floppy hat, spread a quilt on the driest patch of grass you can find, and have no fear of drinking wine outdoors. It’s your private property, after all! And no one has to drive! Don’t forget the sunscreen, though. Winter has left you pale and vulnerable.

#3. Break out the instruments and have your own concert. Will and I play piano, guitar, and all manner of brass instruments. I love having worship nights together. Print those chord charts or piano music ahead of time and put those phones away. This is time for just you two.

#4. Bake something! Make banana bread, cheesecake, or all manner of unhealthy treats. You can share them with friends, or be greedy and enjoy the whole thing together. Bonus points if you enjoy the fruits of you labor by candlelight.

#5. Prayer time. Write a list of prayer requests and pray over them together. Pray over your marriage, your spouse, your family, your house, your dog, your cat, your jobs, etc.

#6. Create a vision board for your marriage. This is about your vision, your goals, your mission statement, and your desires that you create together for your marriage. Like I desire regular date nights with each other, no matter what season of life we are in. Side note: if you are NOT crafty—like me—you can just create a fancy list or excel spreadsheet. It’s basically the same, right?

#7. Go on a leisurely walk (don’t forget to bring the dog). Whether around your neighborhood or a nice nearby park, pick a sunny day and take a long walk together. If you’re on the east coast, don’t forget that bug spray. The mosquitoes are coming!

#8. Have a double date and go try a new local restaurant or ask your friends where their favorite place in town is. Don’t forget to splurge on dessert. It’s the little things.

#9. Have a bonfire, roast s’mores, and tell ghost stories. Bonus points if you camp out in the backyard afterwards.

#10. Game night! Whether you play Nertz, Monopoly (not suggested for sensitive/competitive souls such as myself), or some crazy deck building game, make sure there’s a prize for the winner.

#11. Couples who work out together stay together. If you’re both active, create a workout plan that combines both of your favorite moves and techniques that you can do at home. You could go on a run, or complete a squat and pushups pyramid challenge. Will and I enjoy showing off our best ab moves to each other.

#12. Go out to the ball game. Eat a hot dog and cheer on your local team. Make sure to dress in team colors but watch out for the kiss cam.

#13. Have a coffee date on your front porch. Watch the world go by and just enjoy the moment with each other.

The world is so busy and fast! We sometimes forget to just slow the heck down and enjoy the little things. Even if you literally need to schedule a block of time to be with each other and enjoy each other, DO IT. It is so very important.

Do you have any ideas that I didn’t mention? Leave them in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and don’t forget to join the family and subscribe if you haven’t already.

Until next time,
Jamie out

My Word for 2019

Published on January 21, 2019 by Jamie Shugart4 Comments

Do you ever give your self a word, or a mission, or a phrase to cling onto? Something that makes decisions easier and priorities clearer. Will and I started prioritizing early on in our relationship. Underneath God and our relationship, we put family. This helps us make so many important (and maybe seemingly insignificant) decisions clearer and easier.

I have never chosen a word for a year before now. Sure, I have set new years resolutions that I rarely, if ever, keep, but this year I am approaching things differently. I have set personal and professional goals, as well as giving myself a word to focus on. To be my driving force for learning and growing in 2019.

My word is Simplify.

Much in the way that people say “don’t put yourself in debt during the holidays to show people how generous you are, or how much you love them,” my approach to Simplifying is very similar. I view Simplifying as a way to gain freedom. Freedom from overcommitting. Freedom from clutter. Freedom from being overwhelmed. Freedom from feeling obligated. It is a means to prioritize, and that prioritizing begins with practical steps, that turn into habits, that change the way you look at things, so that the things you look at change.

Some practical steps I have already taken include deleting unused and unwanted apps from my phone and turning off notifications for basically everything. I already feel this freedom. There is much less pressure—much less anxiety—much less obligation when I look at my phone.

Other practical steps include cleaning out the fridge every time I go grocery shopping. Making the bed every day. Throwing out expired medications. Keeping lists on my phone for easy access at grocery stores. Reducing the trips I make to stores so that I have more time for my family and other priorities. Making a master spreadsheet for my photography business to simplify keeping track of everything for myself and my taxes. Getting rid of clothing that has holes, that I never wear, and that doesn’t bring me joy.

Etc.

I am so excited to dive into Simplifying my life this year and to experience the freedom it brings. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? For ways that I can Simplify in 2019?

Do you have a word for 2019? Leave it for me in the comments! If you enjoyed this post, please give it a like and don’t forget to join the family and subscribe if you haven’t already.

Until next time,
Jamie out