How to Let Go of Overwhelm & Embrace a Simpler Life

Many people seek a simpler life because they feel overwhelmed by their current one. No matter how much they plan, optimise, or work, it feels like they’re stuck in an endless cycle of tasks that never truly get done.

But how can you simplify life when you’re buried in overwhelm—so much so that finding the mental space to even think about change feels impossible?

Here’s the truth: living simply doesn’t mean doing nothing. We all have responsibilities, commitments, and things we genuinely enjoy doing. The goal isn’t to eliminate these—it’s to find ways to do them without constant stress.

The good news? Small, practical steps can make a huge difference. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Instead, focus on progress over perfection. As Bill Gates famously said:

“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”

Let’s start with one key step: identifying what triggers your overwhelm and making small, intentional changes to reduce it.

Step One : Identify Your Overwhelm Triggers

We often assume that overwhelm comes from having too much to do. While that’s part of it, the real issue is usually feeling out of control. When life feels chaotic, stress levels rise. The good news? Some simple changes can restore a sense of control.

Here are three common overwhelm triggers and practical ways to reduce them:

Losing Things

Clutter creates chaos. If you’re constantly misplacing things, your brain is forced to work harder just to function in daily life. Instead of adding more systems, simplify the ones you already have.

✅ Try Minimal(ish) Living

A minimalist mindset—without going to extremes—can be a game changer. The less stuff you own, the less you lose. It’s that simple. When you start misplacing things, resist the urge to buy duplicates. Instead, take it as a sign that it’s time to own less, not more.

✅ Give Items Practical Homes

The secret to an organised home? Store things where they’re actually used, not where you think they “should” go.

Do your kids always dump their shoes at the front door? Put a shoe bin there, not in their rooms.
Do you always brush your kids’ hair in the kitchen? Keep the hairbrush in a kitchen drawer instead of the bathroom.

Think of your home like a desire path—the natural shortcuts people take when walking through a park. Instead of forcing a rigid system, work with your family’s habits, not against them.

Running Out of Essentials

Picture this: It’s a hectic morning, you’re getting the kids ready, and then—disaster strikes. You’re out of bread. Now, instead of sticking to the plan, you’re scrambling for an alternative, rushing to the shop, or feeling completely defeated.

While running out of bread isn’t the end of the world, small disruptions like this add unnecessary stress to your day.

✅ Easy Fixes to Prevent This

Keep extra essentials on hand (bread in the freezer, UHT milk in the pantry).
Have quick backup solutions (know how to make scones or scrambled eggs in a pinch).
Assign responsibilities (if a child is old enough, teach them to run to the shop).

The beauty of this fix? It takes almost no time and eliminates a recurring source of stress.

Forgetting Important Things

Ever feel like your brain is leaking information? You try to remember everything, but as soon as you add one more thing, something else slips out.

Here’s the thing: Your brain is a terrible storage system. It’s not designed to hold an endless to-do list. Instead of fighting against this reality, embrace it.

✅ Practical Ways to Stop Forgetting Things

Put items in the car NOW. If you need to take something with you later, don’t wait—put it in the car immediately.
Use a family calendar. Don’t be the walking memory bank for your household. Write it down and make everyone responsible for checking it.
Schedule recurring events. Instead of trying to “find time” for things like catching up with friends, set them on a recurring schedule (e.g., movie night every first Friday of the month).

The less you rely on memory, the less overwhelmed you’ll feel.

Start Small: Track Your Overwhelm Triggers

Over the next few days, pay attention to the moments when you feel most overwhelmed. What’s happening? What triggered it?

Once you identify your overwhelm patterns, you can start making simple, targeted changes—ones that reduce stress without adding more effort.

Final Thoughts: Progress Over Perfection

As you work through these strategies, remember that living a simpler life isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start, because there isn’t one. Start small, and start now. Every small step you take will lead to a more manageable, fulfilling life.

You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Track your overwhelm triggers, make a few adjustments, and celebrate the wins along the way. It’s about creating a lifestyle that feels right for you, at your own pace.

💡 Your Next Step:

Pick one small action from this post and try it today. Then, let me know in the comments—what’s one thing you could change to reduce daily overwhelm?