How To Simplify Simplifying Your Life

As an A type personality I am ALL about lists. And planners. And white boards. And apps that make my life easier. (OH the apps).  Last year, in 2014, I made a plan to track a lot of what I do in one concise place (my phone). This was a HUGE deal for me because I’m the girl that if I don’t have my planner with me, along with my cute pen and the ability to physically cross things off, I feel a little panicky.

So, last year I thought I would try to simplify and let it go. 

What ended up happening though was I found an app to use for EVERYTHING. EVERY. THING. And at the end of my tired and busy work day I was literally having to input data into like 30 different places. (slight exaggeration. Maybe.) Water intake. Workout log. To-Do checklist. Work checklist. Grocery List. Positive things that happened that day log. Food journal. Period log. Ovulation Tracker. (yes, I totally use these apps, especially since we are trying to have Little P.) 

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What I realized was I was OVER-WHELMED in my simplifying process. Definitely not a win. 

So in 2015, when I prayed on the purpose and words for my year, the first and strongest word was ABUNDANCE. However, what preceded that word was SIMPLIFY. And HUMBLE. I believe that if we SIMPLIFY,  work SMARTER not HARDER and are humble in our daily life  and in our tasks, we can better receive and appreciate the ABUNDANCE planned for our lives. 

For the past couple of months I’ve been streamlining both my home and office systems and I now think I have simplified as much as I can with how my schedule runs. I also didn’t want to cut out the few things that help me mentally, and realized that writing things out each night helps me unplug from the day. 

I knew I was never meant to be 100% digital. 

Below I’ve suggested my favorite apps for simplifying and balancing your life. But first, I put a comparison list to what I USED to use as oppose to what I cut it down to.

2014 Plan:

To Do List App #1 - For personal and home

To Do List App #2 - For Work

Post-It Note Desktop App - For Work Tasks

Happier App - To Record Happy Moments
 
Workout App - To Log Workouts

Water App - To Log Water Consumption

Period App - To Log My Cycle

Ovulation App - To Track My Ovulation

Baby Journal - To Journal About Our Journey

Planner and Phone Calendar - For Personal and Business Meetings

Goals and Habits App - To Track Goals and Habits. 

Work Time Clock Log - To Clock My Hours 


Not to mention the three white boards in my office and cleaning chart in the laundry room. 


I was literally putting data in ALL. DAY. LONG. 











Total Organizational Tools:

16. 

Simplified 2015 Plan:

Wunderlist App - I'm in LOVE with this app. It houses my work, blog and personal to-do list. I can mark things urgent or normal and use cute emoticons to make it colorful (I'm all about aesthetics). It also houses my Spring Cleaning check list and grocery list! 

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A Good Old Fashion Day Planner - I went back to paper! And it feels SO good. I use it JUST for work. It takes me through my daily work tasks and I use the calendar to mark all of our company deadlines. 

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Happier App - I still believe its healthy to reflect on things were thankful for. Instead of keeping a notebook by the bed, I just put three things each night into my happier app before I set my alarm for the morning. 

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Period Diary App - This app allows me to track my period schedule AND my ovulation. It also has an in-app journal where I can write down our baby journey and any questions I have for my OB. 

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Epic Workout App -  I use this to log my workouts. Its helpful to show me how often I do weights vs. cardio vs. yoga. 

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Map My Walk App - I didn't want to have to do two workout apps, but I love that this one tracks my walk/run route when I take out the puppy. 



Total Organizational Tools: 

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6!

I no longer use the multiple whiteboards thanks to my planner and I'm currently not keeping a water or food journal. I started to become too obsessive over my food log and I realize now that I can just eat healthy and look back on my menus for reference if something makes me feel sick. I also made an awesome "Hydration Station" in my kitchen where I put out 4-5 water bottles in the morning and make sure I finish them before bed. The cleaning chart in the laundry room was removed due to Wunderlist keeping track of my weekly house cleaning and Spring Cleaning list. It's an easy and stress free way to organize and keep track of my days without feeling burdened by something that is supposed to make things easier. 


And what's the sense in that?


I'd love to know YOUR favorite organizational apps! Comment your favorites and I may just choose my favorites to win a yummy gluten-free and dairy-free snack prize pack I got at the latest expo!