Every new year brings that feeling of wanting to reset, to slow down, breathe, and make life a little lighter. After years of chasing trends, multitasking, and filling our lives with more, I think 2026 should be the year of less. Less pressure. Less noise. Less “shoulds.” More calm. More clarity. More space for the things that actually make you feel good. Here’s how I want to simplify my life in 2026 — gentle steps that help create peace, balance, and freedom.
How To Simplify Your Life in 2026
📱 1. Spend Less Time on Screens
I’ll be honest: it’s not always easy to spend more time offline. Apps are addictive, and before you know it, 30 minutes are gone. My screen time used to be around five hours a day, and I know many people have even higher numbers. Imagine what you could do with those hours if you cut back. You could actually start working on your dreams, career, or hobbies. What if you spent two hours reading instead of scrolling? You’d finish so many books in a year.
🚫 2. Say No to Things You Don’t Like
Sometimes we say yes to things we don’t even want to do. Sure, there are moments when you have no choice, but most of the time, you do. If someone asks you to go shopping but you’ve had a busy week and just want to crash on the couch with a book, tell them. You don’t have to please everyone by always saying yes. Protect your time and peace. If you don’t want to do something, or don’t have the energy, it’s okay to say no.
🧺 3. Get Rid of Things You Don’t Use or Need
Most of us own way too much stuff. Do you really need 20 lipsticks or that gadget you used once and then forgot about? Life feels lighter when you only keep what you truly use or love. Your home will feel calmer, and you’ll have less to clean, which is a total win-win.
🛒 4. Buy Less Stuff
There’s a trend on social media that’s not doing us any favors and it is buying things just because they’re trending. One month it’s Stanley cups, the next it’s something else. Often we buy not because we need it, but because it feels like everyone else is doing it. In 2026, try buying less. You’ll save money and can spend it on experiences instead like a concert or a trip with friends.
One trick that helps me: when I see something I want, I take a screenshot and wait a month. If I still love it and can’t stop thinking about it, I’ll consider buying it. Most of the time, I lose interest.
🧹 5. Declutter and Organize Your Digital Space
Simplicity isn’t just about your home, it’s also about your phone, laptop, and inbox. Unsubscribe from emails you never read, delete unused apps, organize your photos, and tidy up your digital space. A clear digital space equals a clearer mind. Try doing this regularly, maybe once a week, to make room for more mental calm.
💆♀️ 6. Simplify Your Beauty Routine
You don’t need a 10-step skincare routine or drawers full of products. A few good-quality essentials are enough. Let your skin breathe, embrace your natural look, and save both time and money. You basically need a facewash, moisturizer, sunscreen and maybe make-up and that is it. Using too many products is actually bad for your skin.
🕯️ 7. Embrace Single Tasking
We glorify multitasking, but it often leaves us feeling scattered and drained. Try focusing on one thing at a time, read without checking your phone, cook without watching Netflix, walk without earbuds. Doing one thing with intention feels surprisingly peaceful. Try to live in the moment and enjoy what you’re doing right now.
☁️ 8. Slow Down
Not everything needs to be rushed. Slow mornings, slow walks, slow meals, that’s where calm lives. In 2026, I want to move through life with more ease, enjoying the journey instead of sprinting through it. We live in a world where everyone’s constantly rushing, and we forget to enjoy the small moments. Slow down and breathe.
👖 9. Simplify Your Wardrobe
This is one of my personal goals for 2026. I love fashion, but sometimes I buy clothes just for the sake of buying them. Months later, they’re still unworn. Now I’m building a wardrobe full of things I truly love, pieces that make me feel good every time I wear them.
🌼 10. Add More Stillness
Simplicity isn’t only about removing things. It’s also about creating space for quiet. Spend a few minutes each day doing nothing: no phone, no to-do list, no noise. Just breathe and be. That’s where peace begins. I love these little mindful moments. I usually make a cup of tea, sit down, and enjoy it. It’s my small, peaceful ritual.