15 Things I Have Quit in Order to Make My Life Better

I've always been the type to add new habits, new rules, and more into my life, all in the name of creating a simpler, more meaningful existence. But over the past year, I’ve realized that the things I’ve stopped doing have actually made the most significant improvements. Today, I want to share with you 15 things I’ve quit doing that have truly enhanced my life.

2. Saying Yes

One of the best lessons I learned from books like Essentialism and The 4-Hour Work Week was to stop saying yes to so many things. I have a rule now: I never agree to anything on the spot. If someone asks me for something, I’ll take at least 24 hours to think about it. This way, I’m never pressured into doing something that doesn’t align with my goals or values just to avoid awkwardness.

3. Taking Phone Calls

I used to answer every call, worried I might miss something important. But for the past year, I’ve hardly answered my phone at all, except for calls from family. I turned on a feature that only allows calls from my approved list, and it’s been life-changing. My phone rarely rings, which lets me focus without random interruptions. If something’s important, people can text me, and I can respond when it’s convenient.

4. Notifications

I’ve disabled almost all notifications on my phone except for text messages from a select few people. No emails, no social media alerts, nothing else. This has freed up a lot of mental space and stopped the constant checking of my phone. When I want to see messages, I’ll go into the app, but I’m not interrupted by constant pings.

5. Meetings

I avoid meetings whenever possible. If someone requests a meeting, I always ask if we can handle it over email first. If not, then maybe a phone call, and as a last resort, a Zoom meeting. In-person meetings are rare for me now, especially for business. Meetings tend to be huge time wasters, so I limit them to what’s absolutely necessary.

6. Working More

I used to be trapped in the mindset that I had to work all the time, filling every moment with productivity. But I realized I had no friends, no hobbies, and wasn’t enjoying the life I’d built. Now, I focus on not letting my life revolve around work. Work should be something that adds to my life, not something that defines it. This shift has allowed me to enjoy both my work and life more and actually produce better content because I’m living a fuller life.

7. Keeping Junk Food Around

I’m currently trying to watch my weight, and I have no self-control when it comes to junk food. So, I’ve stopped keeping it in the house. Instead, I stock up on whole, healthy foods. It’s hard to overeat when I’m eating steak, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits. This has made it easier to stick to my goals without relying on willpower all day long.

8. Shopping

Shopping used to be my go-to when I was bored, especially online. I’d order things I didn’t really need and forget about them until they arrived. Since cutting back on shopping, I’ve saved money and reduced the clutter in my home. Now, everything I buy has to either make my life easier, make me money, or bring me genuine happiness.

9. A Perfectly Clean Home

As a YouTuber, I talk about clutter-free habits and keeping a clean home, but with a 2-year-old and a 2-month-old, I’ve learned to be okay with a bit of mess. My house doesn’t need to be perfect all the time. I’ve lowered my stress by accepting that it will get messy during the day, and as long as I reset everything at night, it won’t get out of hand.

10. Extreme Frugal Living

I used to spend a lot of time trying to save money, like driving to a different store to save a few dollars. Now, I’m okay with spending a little extra to save time and improve my life. I still consider myself frugal, but I’m no longer extreme about it. I’ll pay for convenience if it buys back my time or helps me in areas where I’m weak.

11. Signing Up for Stuff

I had a habit of signing up for newsletters, emails, and text messages to get discounts or because something was free, only to never look at them again. Now, I regularly unsubscribe from things that don’t add value to my life. I’m even mindful of how often I send out my own newsletters because I don’t want to be that daily annoyance to others.

12. Setting Goals Instead of Systems

I used to be obsessed with setting goals—like hitting a million subscribers or getting in shape—but I’ve learned that systems are more effective. Instead of focusing on the big, often elusive goals, I now focus on consistent actions, like working out three times a week. The results take care of themselves when I focus on the process.

13. The Destination Over the Journey

I used to be fixated on reaching certain milestones, thinking that once I achieved them, I’d be happy. But after hitting half a million subscribers, I felt no different. Now, I focus more on enjoying the journey and being present in the process. Whether it’s dealing with work challenges or spending time with my kids, I try to embrace and enjoy every moment.

14. Trying to Be Happy

There’s a quote from The 4-Hour Work Week that really changed my perspective: “Excitement is a more practical synonym for happiness.” Instead of constantly trying to be happy, I focus on finding excitement in what I’m doing now. Happiness isn’t something I chase; it’s something I choose in the present moment.

15. Assuming I’m Right

I used to think I had all the answers, but I’ve learned that assuming I’m right is a recipe for trouble. Now, I approach conversations with the mindset that I could be wrong. This opens me up to learning from others and having more meaningful, rational discussions. It’s much more enjoyable and enlightening to approach life this way.

And finally, I’ve stopped keeping clothes that I don’t wear. I used to have a wardrobe full of different colors, but for the past six months, I’ve only worn black. I’ve stopped holding on to clothes I might wear “someday” and instead stick to what I actually enjoy wearing now.

Have you ever quit something to make your life simpler? Let me know in the comments below.