Simple living is a great goal but it’s all too easy to let yourself get caught up in the complexities of life. What if you decided to spend 15 minutes a day simplifying your life? Here are some ideas for what you could do in that time. Actually, I find that when I get going on a project, often I easily make the time to finish it up, even if I thought I had no more than 15 minutes to spare. But if you wanted to hold yourself to 15 minutes, you could set a timer or your phone.

What in your life is most bothering you that you don’t get done? Is there a way that you can put 15 minutes toward it?

Here are some 15-minute ideas for simplifying:

• Clean the trash out of your car.
• Cancel a credit card you don’t need.
• Set up automatic payment for a utility bill.
• Organize one drawer that bothers you.
• Set up a giveaways box someplace–ours is in the laundry room–and go around looking for things to get rid of.
• Start a free account at Rememberthemilk.com and use it to keep track of things to do.
• When the giveaways box is full, take it to a place that can use it. We take ours to the ReStore here, run by Habitat for Humanity, as it has lots of the things we tend to get rid of.
• Cut up some old t-shirts for rags. If you don’t have a ragbag, make one from an old pillowcase and find a handy place for it.
• Get rid of one article of clothing that you don’t wear for whatever reason.
• Cut the dog’s toenails on at least one foot, using treats if needed to make it less unpleasant for the dog.

These ideas may spark ones that suit you better.

One way or another, it all adds up!