8 things to quit to simplify life
I owe a lot to my Asian roots. They taught me the value of punctuality, discipline, and hard work.
Those lessons shaped me into the person I am today, and I feel proud of my background.
But focusing only on studies through most of my teen years came with a price.
I pushed myself to chase perfection, always working and never slowing down. In the process, I made my life harder than it needed to be.
No matter where you come from, you may be doing the same without realizing it.
I see many people around me—friends from all over the world—caught up in constant hustle, carrying weight they don’t really need to carry.
If you feel drained, burned out, or unhappy more often than not, there might be mental blocks in your way. Letting go of them is one of the things to quit to simplify life.
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Related: How to Be Less Distracted
1. Quit Comparing Yourself to Others
Comparison is a trap I fell into many times.
I would scroll through social media, see someone my age doing better, and instantly feel behind.
Instead of being proud of my own progress, I felt small.
The truth is, someone will always have more money, a better job, or a nicer house.
If I keep measuring myself against them, I’ll never feel enough.
The only person I need to compare myself to is the person I was yesterday.
When I quit comparison, I finally made room to appreciate what I already had.
2. Quit Saying Yes to Everything
For a long time, I thought saying “yes” made me kind.
I agreed to every favor, every invitation, and every request.
But what I didn’t realize was that each “yes” took time and energy away from me.
Eventually, I was stretched so thin that I couldn’t even take care of myself.
I was showing up for others but resenting it inside.
Learning to say “no” was one of the hardest lessons, but it freed me.
Now when I say “yes,” it comes from a place of choice, not pressure.
3. Quit Trying to Please Everyone
No matter what I did, someone always had an opinion.
If I worked late, I was “too focused on career.”
If I rested, I was “lazy.”
I realized I could spend my whole life trying to win approval and still fail.
The day I stopped chasing validation was the day I felt lighter.
Some people won’t like me.
Some won’t agree with my choices.
And that’s okay.
The only approval I need is my own.
Quitting people-pleasing gave me back my peace.
4. Quit Holding on to Clutter
Clutter isn’t just physical.
It’s mental too.
I used to hold on to old clothes, books I’d never read, and even relationships that drained me.
Each item or person felt like another thing weighing me down.
The moment I started letting go, I noticed something shift.
My room felt calmer.
My thoughts slowed down.
It was like giving myself permission to breathe.
Simplifying life often starts with clearing the space around you.
5. Quit Overthinking
I used to replay conversations in my head again and again.
Did I say the wrong thing?
Did they take it the wrong way?
I spent hours worrying about things I couldn’t change.
Overthinking stole my sleep and my peace.
When I started catching myself, I replaced “what if” thoughts with “what now.”
Instead of living in my head, I took action.
Life felt lighter because my mind wasn’t running in circles anymore.
6. Quit Multitasking
I once believed multitasking made me productive.
I would answer emails while eating lunch, scroll my phone while watching TV, and start three projects at once.
But instead of doing more, I did everything halfway.
When I quit multitasking, I learned the power of focus.
Doing one thing with full attention not only felt easier but also gave me better results.
Now I try to give each task the space it deserves.
It makes life slower, calmer, and surprisingly more productive.
7. Quit Negative Self-Talk
The way I spoke to myself was harsher than how I’d ever speak to a friend.
I called myself lazy, not good enough, or behind.
No wonder I felt stuck.
Then I realized my thoughts were shaping my reality.
When I told myself I couldn’t do something, I gave up before trying.
Quitting negative self-talk didn’t happen overnight, but it started with small changes.
Now I talk to myself with the same kindness I give others.
It makes everything feel lighter.
8. Quit Living on Autopilot
There was a time I lived the same day over and over.
Wake up, work, scroll, sleep, repeat.
I wasn’t unhappy, but I wasn’t truly living either.
One day I asked myself: is this what I want my life to look like in ten years?
The answer was no.
That pushed me to break the routine.
I tried new hobbies, went for walks without my phone, and spent time in silence.
Small changes brought life back into focus.
9. Quit Fear of Missing Out
I used to think I had to be everywhere and do everything.
If I skipped a party, I felt like I was falling behind socially.
If I missed a trend, I felt out of touch.
But the truth is, no one can do it all.
There will always be events I skip, opportunities I miss, and paths I don’t take.
That doesn’t mean my life is lacking.
In fact, when I quit FOMO, I started enjoying where I was instead of worrying about where I wasn’t.
10. Quit Chasing Perfection
Perfection drained me more than anything else.
I thought if I worked harder, planned better, and fixed every detail, I would finally feel satisfied.
But perfection kept moving the finish line.
Nothing was ever enough.
When I finally gave myself permission to be “good enough,” everything changed.
Progress became more important than perfection.
I found joy in doing things, even if they weren’t flawless.
Quitting perfection was the greatest gift I gave myself.
