Life can be a whirlwind, but it's important to remember that life is meant to be simple. In fact, it is the individual who is complicated, while life remains simple. When you make it your goal to make life simpler, there are a number of steps you should follow along the way to aid progress towards your goal. 

1. Define What 'Simple' Means

Leading a simple life can mean different things for different people. It could be getting rid of life's complexities to spend more time with your loved ones, or making time to do the things you love. It could also mean getting rid of the clutter in your life, eliminating all but the essential so that you are only left with things of value.

2. Simplify Your List

The cynics out there may be saying now, 'Well what if that list is too long to be simple?'. There are two steps to simplifying your list: identify what's most important to you and eliminate as much as you possibly can of everything else. Start thinking about different areas of your life and what is important in those realms: work, studies, free time, love life, children, health etc. until you come up with one to two things maximum in each category. Here are some more tips on how to identify what's important to make your life simpler.

3. Let Go of What Wasn't Meant to Be

Letting go is an important step in simplifying your life and making it better. You will continue searching after what you really want if you do not learn to detach yourself from painful or harmful elements in your life. Accept that not everything in life is happy-go-lucky and that struggle is a part of love, as is learning and moving on. You must let go of the life you planned for in order to enjoy the life that's waiting for you.

4. It's OK To Be a Work In Progress

Many people ask themselves, 'when will the constant searching and trying end?'. Well, we hate to break it to you, but life is a work in progress from start to finish. There is no end point at which you can say to yourself- 'I've done everything and reached my full potential'. If this were to occur, what would the reason be for living? Therefore, you should embrace the fact that most everyone is a work in progress. Cultivate what you are good at and continue to set goals that challenge you. Recognizing that life's not a race will seriously simplify things!

5. Don't Wish Your Life Away

Your life is happening now - not yesterday or tomorrow, but now! The one thing that will simplify your life is recognizing the importance of living in the now and appreciating what you have and those with you to share it. Everything you have done in your life has led to this moment, so embrace it and not the you of yesterday or the future.

6. Forget About What Other People Think

Your life with magically become that much simpler once you forget about what other people think of your or how they may judge your actions. You are living your life and assume full responsibility for everything that happens in it, so why look to the response of other people? Stop caring what others think, follow your heart and take risks when they are presented. Don't escape to easy choices because you know them and are afraid what others will think. Dare to be different and unique.

7. Stop Worrying and Complaining

This one is pretty self-explanatory because the more you whine and moan, the less you will achieve and the more worries you'll have. Start focusing on things that you can control and do something about them. Clean your mental closet of worry and doubt and things will start to look up.

8. Start Making Moves

If you are looking for confirmation before a big move or change in your life, you are not doing yourself any favors. Accept the truth as you know it and live by it. Give your soul a chance to explore the life that it was meant to live, not the comfortable life that others live. Start making decisions and taking action on things that are important to you at work or in your personal life. Set goals and fulfill them now.

9. Be Productive, Not Busy

For some of us, it's easy to get sucked into the busy and important vacuum, but when you are there you are likely to lose track of what's important to you. For that reason, it's not important to get things done, but to get the right things done that mean more to you. Stop yourself and ask if what you are working on is worth all the effort and if it's helping you fulfill your goals. Don't get distracted by odd jobs unless they are important for achieving your goals.

10. Be Optimistic

Here's another self-explanatory tip, but even when times are tough, it is important to stay positive and focused. When you are feeling down, take a few deep breaths or go for a short walk outside to regain your positive focus. Remind yourself that you can grow stronger even in hard times and remain conscious of your blessings and accomplishments. Remember to focus on what you what and not what you don't.

11. Spend More Time With the Right People

Know which people you enjoy spending time with and those that may leave you feeling down. Make an effort to be around those you love and appreciate and who care similarly about you, and who encourage you to improve yourself in healthy and exciting ways. These are the people that will make you feel more alive and confident about achieving your goals.

12. Let Things Be Less Than Perfect

The world is not perfect and neither is everyone in it. Therefore, smile at every chance you get because life is not perfect or easy or how you thought it would be. Embrace spontaneity and forget about what others may be doing that harms your 'world picture'. Perfection cannot be achieved in life, but good and simplicity can. Again, life is not a mystery and can be maneuvered well with patience, but don't by any means strive for perfection because it will only lead to complications.

Embrace the simple things and simple nature in life and it will mostly feel like a walk in the park!