We’ve all heard the saying that less is more. Have you ever considered how true it actually is? Especially when you’re surrounded by clutter and stress, cutting back in life really helps to cut back the anxiety and stress you feel. Here are some tips for cutting back so you can enjoy your life more!

Less Is More: Tips For Cutting Back

Why Should You Cut Back?

The garden is actually a great metaphor for cutting back in life. How many times have you pruned your roses or cut back your fruit trees, knowing that doing so would actually allow for more growth, more flowers and more fruit? Life is just like that. Anytime that we feel overwhelmed by too much stuff, or crazy with a jam-packed schedule, that’s the time to cut back. Cutting back allows for more personal growth.

What Should You Cut Back?

This is different for everyone, and depends on your particular set of circumstances. But here are a few examples:

• You may have so much going on that you feel like you are burning the candle at both ends, and that is a great time to cut back. The hard part is deciding what you let go of.
• Is your home absolutely overwhelmed with stuff? Is the junk room overflowing? Time to cut back on stuff. Take control of it and get rid of the clutter.
• There might be people in your life who are draining the excitement right out of you. Sometimes it becomes necessary to cut back on unhealthy relationships.
• Always hang onto {and even increase} the things that bring you joy and increase your mental and physical stability, such as exercise and meditation.

Tips For Cutting Back In Life

Time to prune yourself and make room for that new growth we talked about earlier. It might be painful at first, but the rewards are definitely real.

• Cut back on things that are good, in order to make room for the things that are the best.
• Decide on the things that are just hanging around, like dead weight in your life, and cut them out. You really will be happier when you do.
• Get rid of the stuff that is cluttering your home, your mind, or your heart. Even your car can be cluttered!
• Anytime you buy something new, think of something you already have and don’t use, and get rid of it. It’s the “one in, one out” rule of decluttering, and it works.

As you implement these tips for cutting back, life really will become more, in many different ways. Want to feel more productive? Check out the top productivity apps to further help you maximize the time you do have.