Life has a way of getting cluttered. From our homes to our schedules, from our wardrobes (including our travel wardrobes) to our travel plans, the sheer weight of decisions and belongings can feel overwhelming. But what if you could strip it all back? What if simplifying wasn’t about having less, but about having more—more freedom, more ease, more joy?
In my pursuit of travelling lighter, decluttering and simplifying crossed over into my everyday life. I remember returning home from Croatia and Italy in 2017 after my solo, light trip and having that lightbulb moment of realising we can survive with less.
I’ve learnt that the secret to a lighter life is about making intentional choices. Whether it’s how we pack, how we eat, how we work, or how we move through the world, simplicity creates space for what truly matters. Here’s how you might lighten the load in some key areas of your life.
Living lighter & freer, Patagonia.
Travel light: Live light
Packing light is the ultimate exercise in simplicity. When you travel a lighter bag, you’re forced to choose only what you truly need. And guess what? You never miss the excess.
It starts with the bag! Start with a smaller bag than you’re used to, or you could do as I did and just buy a 24L bag and cross your fingers you’ll be OK. Travelling lighter isn’t a competition. I travel with 5-7 kilos (11-15 lbs) – but you should pack for what works for you.
Then add your clothing, and focus on lightweight, multi-functional pieces. Neutral colours, layering options, and items that mix and match easily allow you to create multiple outfits from just a few pieces. Also pack clothing that is easy to wash by hand and dries quickly overnight.
Shoes? Stick to one, two, or three pairs of comfortable shoes that work for various occasions. I believe in wearing shoes and clothes that you regularly wear at home – you know how they work together and fit.
Toiletries? Go for solid options like shampoo bars and multi-use skincare products. Take only the liquid amounts you’ll need and pop it in a small container. You don’t need to pack a full shampoo bottle for a 3-week holiday – and if you’re staying at hotels, shampoo may already be provided.
Technology? A lightweight phone or tablet can do the job of a bulky laptop. But again, this has to work for you. If you need your laptop, then needs must! Chargers, hairdryers, straighteners, power adapters, all add up in weight. Pick lighter options and see if one charger can be used on multiple devises.
The beauty of minimalist travel isn’t just in avoiding baggage fees or skipping the luggage carousel—it’s in the freedom to move effortlessly. It’s knowing that wherever you go, you already have everything you need. And the real magic? It translates to life back home as well.
Island -style shoe packing.
Simplifying Meals: Less Fuss, More Flavour
Meal planning can feel like an endless cycle of grocery lists, complicated recipes, and last-minute decisions. But eating well doesn’t have to be complex.
Adopt a minimalist approach to food by choosing simple, whole ingredients that you can prepare in multiple ways. Think Mediterranean-style eating: fresh vegetables, good olive oil, lean proteins, whole grains. Have a handful of go-to meals that you rotate each week—ones that are nourishing, easy to prepare, and delicious.
Batch cooking is a game changer. Preparing a big pot of soup, roasted vegetables, or a protein like grilled chicken at the start of the week means you always have a base for quick meals. And don’t forget the beauty of one-pan dishes—less cleanup, less effort, more enjoyment.
I know people who eat the same selection of meals each week. They pick their absolute favourite meals and repeat them each week. Cooking, shopping and decision making is all simplified.
My regular cinnamon & blueberry oats, yoghurt, nuts and a heavy-handed pour of maple syrup!
Reducing Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is real. The more choices we have to make in a day, the more drained we feel. Simplifying your life means setting up systems that remove unnecessary decisions.
One of the easiest ways to cut down on decisions? A capsule wardrobe. Having a small, well-curated collection of clothes means you always know what to wear. Choose quality over quantity—classic pieces that you love wearing and that work for multiple settings.
Streamline your daily routines, too. Create a morning and evening routine that removes the guesswork. Have a few go-to meals, a consistent bedtime, and a structured workday to eliminate small, draining decisions.
Work Smarter, Not Harder
Whether you work remotely, freelance, or have a structured office job, simplifying your workflow can reduce stress and boost productivity.
Batch similar tasks together to minimize context switching. Set aside specific time blocks for emails instead of responding throughout the day. Use automation tools to handle repetitive tasks and keep a running “to-do later” list so your brain isn’t constantly juggling mental clutter.
Decluttering your digital workspace is just as important. Keep your desktop clean, unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, and use cloud storage to stay organized. A clutter-free workspace leads to a clearer mind.
I recently tidied my office space, and went for a walk with a friend, and boldly claimed, I’m setting aside Monday to be my website, blog, business day!
Good for you, she replied. Let me know how you get on.
Well, the next Monday was a public holiday, and I had appointments on Tuesday, so messaged her to say, it will be Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon after posting a picture of me up a mountain, eyebrows were raised.
Um, I couldn’t turn down a hike with my son. I’ll start next week.
But I am pleased to report that as I write this, this is week four of sticking to my goal. Things that I’ve been putting off have only taken 30-minutes to do, and items I was sweating over, turned out to be pretty easy! I message my friend every Monday and report in. Although my accountability just got a whole lot bigger putting it out here!
Slow Travel: A More Meaningful Way to Explore
Fast travel—rushing from one tourist attraction to the next—can be exhausting. Slow travel, on the other hand, allows you to experience a place deeply, without the pressure of a packed itinerary.
Instead of ticking off a checklist, stay longer in fewer places. Immerse yourself in the local culture, find your favourite café, get to know the rhythms of daily life. Walking instead of taking taxis, shopping at local markets, and learning a few words of the language make for richer experiences.
Slow travel is certainly something I've started to embrace. The thought of only two or three nights in one place leaves me cold.
One of my favourite websites currently is Orchids to Olives: Shaping Travel Around Wellbeing. I adore Jenny’s writing on slow travel and healing travel. Even reading her blogs puts me in a calm place.
Slow travel isn’t just about moving less—it’s about experiencing more.
I spent two hours just sitting in this spot. I loved it so much I went back the next day!
Slow Food: The Joy of Simple, Seasonal Eating
Just like slow travel, slow food is about savouring the experience rather than rushing through it. Prioritise local, seasonal ingredients. Take time to prepare and enjoy your meals without distraction. The act of cooking, eating, and even grocery shopping can be transformed into an enjoyable, mindful ritual rather than a rushed necessity.
If you’re eating out, seek out family-run restaurants and farm-to-table cafes rather than chain establishments. Not only is the food likely to be fresher and more thoughtfully prepared, but it also supports local communities.
Clearing Cupboards: Make Space for What Matters
When I returned from Croatia and Italy, I went on a decluttering spree. First it was my wardrobe, then my bathroom drawers, and then family areas – like the kitchen. The utensil drawer was one where everything go shoved in and it would jam going in and jam going out – usually the fish-slice was to blame.
I pulled everything out of the drawer and placed it on the bench. Honouring participation and consultation, I got the family to put things back that they thought were essential. Come the end of the day, everything was back in the drawer, and we were back to me cursing whenever I opened or shut the drawer.
The same was for the plastic containers' drawer – lidless jars, cracked containers were tossed, but mostly everything stayed – but at least it was tidy.
Simplifying Relationships: Less Drama, More Connection
Just as we declutter our homes and schedules, we can also simplify our relationships. Focus on deep, meaningful connections rather than spreading yourself thin across too many social obligations.
Prioritise time with people who uplift and inspire you. Let go of relationships that feel draining and set healthy boundaries to protect your peace. Choose quality over quantity in friendships and make space for authentic interactions rather than superficial connections.
And don’t forget the most important relationship of all – the one you have with yourself. Speak kindly to yourself. Forgive yourself. Allow yourself space to rest and restore.
Simplifying your social life doesn’t mean isolating yourself—it means making room for the relationships that truly matter. As Jane Fonda said recently – choose relationships where you are safe, you are seen, and you are cherished!
Working on the Mercy Ship in Sierra Leone - a month of incredible friendships.
Simplifying goals: Focus on What Truly Matters
If you’ve read my book, Dare to Travel Solo, this will make you laugh! It was like a red rag to a bull when my then-husband would ask every New Year, what my goals were for the next 365 days. The steam coming out of my ears wasn’t enough of a hint for him to stop asking the same question each year.
But I now love goal setting. I think it’s because they’re my goals, and they don’t need adjusting to fit in with someone else’s.
My go-to goal-setting app is Life Pilot by Natalie and Josh (I'm not affiliated - I just share what I love and use!) There’s a course to start with and a deep dive into what you want your life to look like – or as they say, a life by design. Then there’s a simple playful app on setting three goals each week from six areas in your life. Then three monthly goals, and three quarterly goals.
My goals are simple but have big impact. They're flexible, and with just three, I don't get overwhelmed, plus I can remember them easily.
I love that I can follow my progress on this really simple, uncomplicated app. Every Sunday afternoon, I review my goals, think about how the last week went and plan for the next. I've been doing Life Pilot now since May 2023 - so that says a lot - especially from someone who can flit from one idea to another! The app is a recent addition - and I'm a fan.
Seriously, I’m a changed woman!!
Simplified Shopping: Buy Less, Choose Well
The cycle of constantly buying and accumulating things is one of the biggest contributors to stress, clutter, and waste. A minimalist mindset towards shopping means shifting from impulse buying to intentional purchasing.
Before buying something, ask yourself:
Do I truly need this, or am I just filling space?
Will I still want or use this a year from now?
Is it high quality and built to last?
Prioritise versatile, durable items over trendy, disposable ones. Buy fewer but better clothes, choose well-made gear, and opt for experiences over material goods whenever possible. You’ll spend less, own less, and appreciate what you have more.
A Lighter Life is a Freer Life
At its core, simplifying isn’t about deprivation—it’s about clarity. It’s about removing the excess so you can focus on what truly matters: meaningful experiences, deep connections, and a sense of ease in everyday life.
By embracing light travel, simple meals, fewer decisions, streamlined work, slow travel, slow food, simplified relationships, and intentional shopping, you create more space for joy. You gain the freedom to move, explore, and live with ease.
Here are some links to my blogs on travelling lighter & travelling solo-
Where to start with packing light.
Where to start with solo travel.
Why and how to pack a travel capsule wardrobe.
So, where will you start? What’s one thing you can simplify today? Because the lighter you live, the freer you become.
Slowing down to Rarotonga time.
