I've been thinking about some of the things that I've stopped doing in order to simplify my life.

I first got the idea from a fellow creator online, who shared the things she no longer does to live a simple life. I've also seen several people do something similar since then, sharing what they've stopped doing to simplify, minimize, or save money.

Sometimes it's more impactful to remove something than to keep adding more to our lives. That's often more effective, even when it takes more courage than adding does.

Recently, this has been hitting me pretty hard. I've curated my home and environment into a safe, calm, peaceful place, a little happiness bubble I talk about a lot.

We don't really go out a whole lot, and when we do, it's usually to hang out with people we already know and love.

But we started going to a new gym, which means more time in public spaces. That's meant more interactions with people, like at counters or in brief conversations.

I was reminded that not everyone out there is happy.

Not everyone is kind, and not everyone is trying to be.

There are a lot of different personalities, intentions, and ways of life existing all at the same time.

It's easy to forget that.

It's easy to forget how far you've come when you've built this little happiness bubble around yourself.

But it's good to step out of it sometimes. Interacting with people helps me reconnect with the world and remember how to communicate with people outside my bubble.

So I wanted to share some of the things I no longer do to simplify my life.

1. I Stopped Allowing Negativity Inside My Bubble

This one was the very first thing that came to mind when I started this list.

I've stopped allowing negativity inside my bubble.

Now, of course, I still allow for bad days and emotional moments with my family. Those are the people I care about.

I'm talking about consistently negative people and the toxicity that comes with them.

This is the number one thing that helped me change from being someone who was miserable, depressed, anxious, and not thriving, into someone who feels happy and deeply grateful for where I am today.

I can 100% pinpoint that transformation to being intentional about who I surround myself with.

I stopped letting toxic people in. I stopped letting that energy in.

2. I Quit Facebook

I haven't used Facebook in well over a year, and I don't regret it at all.

Technically, I still have a business account, but I'm never on it. I don't use it, and nothing is happening there.

I do have a Facebook page, but I don't really post to it either.

The only reason I've kept any Facebook presence at all is so I can run ads for promotions if I want to. Even that hasn't happened in over a year.

I don't do much social media in general. I'm here on YouTube, but I don't really consider that the same thing.

Social media in general can be very toxic, and quitting Facebook simplified so much for me.

3. I Quit Offering Things I Don't Want to Fulfill

This applies to my business and my personal life.

When I first started my business, Mia Danielle, I kept hearing this message. Don't create a business you hate.

Don't build something you won't want to show up for every day. Even though I heard that over and over again, I still found myself doing what I saw other people doing.

People would say, "You have to have a Facebook group." So, even though I hated Facebook, I created one, because "everybody has one."

Or, "You need to be on Instagram every day, posting stories, posting reels."

Record clips from your life every day, even if that means you're not really living your life because you're always documenting it.

Eventually, I just stopped. I realized I don't have to do things that don't make me happy.

Why build a life that's based on things I don't enjoy?

Some people love that kind of stuff, but it's not fulfilling for me.

Until it is fulfilling, I'm not going to do it.

That same philosophy applies to my daily life. I've gotten really comfortable saying no to things I don't want to do, whether that's a scheduled commitment, an obligation, or signing up for something that doesn't feel aligned.

Life is simpler when you stop filling your calendar with stuff that drains you.

4. I Quit Prioritizing Improving My Weaknesses

For a long time, I believed I needed to constantly improve my weaknesses. The advice is everywhere. Work on what you're bad at to become well-rounded.

If you're failing at something, that's supposedly the area to focus on.

But then I heard a different message that hit me in the gut.

You can weaken your strengths trying to strengthen your weaknesses.

That made sense.

There are situations, of course, where I've needed to grow in areas I wasn't naturally strong in, like patience.

I wasn't always a patient person, but over time, I practiced and developed the skill. Now I am pretty patient.

In general, if you're constantly focused on fixing what you're "bad" at, you're not nurturing what you're already good at.

Your strengths atrophy. They fade.

So I've changed course. I lean into the areas where I'm already strong, my natural talents and gifts.

I collaborate with others who complement me instead of trying to wear every hat and do every task myself.

When you try to do it all, you end up doing everything just okay, and life is too short for that.

5. I Quit Responding When I'm Mad

I know this is something people say all the time. "Don't respond when you're mad."

Give it space and let it simmer. It's common knowledge.

But when I was younger, I had a real temper. I was quick to react.

I even remember talking to my parents about how angry I'd get at my sister, and how I didn't want to feel that way but didn't know how to stop it.

Maybe some of that fiery reaction faded naturally with age and maturity, but I also know it's something I've practiced.

I forced myself to pause. I started giving space between my reaction and my response.

Sometimes I'd hand off the thing that was upsetting me altogether, just to break that emotional feedback loop.

Now, that pause is my default. It's my habit.

I'm not perfect. Sometimes I still get irritated with Matt, and half the time it's not even about him.

It's my own stuff coming up, making me overreact. But the only way to stop overreacting is to not react at all.

You wouldn't believe some of the responses I've almost sent, especially in the early YouTube days when I was reading every negative comment.

I've had entire clapbacks typed out, only to have Matt read them and say, "You really don't need to send that."

He was right, and I'm glad I didn't.

6. I Quit Shopping In-Person (Mostly)

This one's a little lighter, and probably pretty relatable. Like most people, I've stopped doing the majority of my shopping in person.

It simplifies everything. I spend less money.

I save my energy, and I don't get sucked into impulse buys.

I even order groceries online when I can. I reload the same cart, stick to the basics, and only add something new if I'm making a specific recipe or planning something intentional.

It's a calmer, more efficient way to shop, and it's one less errand taking up my time and bandwidth.

7. I Quit Forcing Friendships

This is something I used to do all the time. I'd force friendships.

Even if I didn't really enjoy the person or feel like spending time with them, I'd try to "make it work."

Some of the worst relationships in my life, whether romantic or platonic, were ones I had to force.

Now, the relationships I have come more naturally. I'm just living my life, being myself, and they're living theirs.

We still happen to align. We enjoy each other, and we build an easy connection.

It's organic and peaceful, and it feels like real friendship.

Of course, there are times when you need to make an effort, especially if you're trying to build a support system or connect with people in a new environment.

But what I don't do anymore is fixate.

I don't chase specific people thinking, "This is the person who has to give me love or friendship."

That energy is stressful and unnatural, and it never ends well.

8. I Quit Reading Every Email

I used to be a completer. I thought I had to read every email, listen to every podcast episode, finish every book.

If someone sent me something, I felt obligated to absorb all of it, like it was my job to collect and retain every single drop of information.

But eventually, it just got to be too much. There's so much information out there, and I'll never be able to consume it all.

Now, I treat email more like a triage system. I glance at the sender and the subject line.

A lot of the time, that's all I need. I skip whole emails I know don't require my attention.

I've never once regretted it.

9. I Quit Watching All the News

Most days, I don't watch the news at all.

When something important is happening and I want to stay informed, I'll intentionally check in. But I don't feel the need to constantly absorb a feed of updates just because they're there.

There will always be more news, tomorrow, the next day, and the day after that.

Half the time, what feels urgent today is irrelevant by next week.

I no longer make it my job to carry the weight of every headline. My nervous system thanks me for that.

10. I Quit Going Out Late at Night

We do have a game night every week or two that sometimes goes late, maybe until 11. But I'm not trying to stay up until 2 a.m. anymore.

I wear a Fitbit that tracks my sleep, and I've learned how much of our health, physical, mental, hormonal, can be traced back to sleep quality.

It's that important.

Simplifying my nights has helped me simplify my days. I've even started adjusting my rhythm so I get more sunshine, which means waking up a little earlier than I used to.

Rest feels like more of a priority than going out late these days.

11. I Quit Waking Up to an Alarm

This one might not apply to everyone, but it's especially relevant if you work from home, have a flexible schedule, or run your own business.

I used to always wake up to an alarm, and I hated it.

That jarring sound. That panicked jolt into the day.

It made me dread mornings.

Now, I've adjusted my sleep schedule so I go to bed a little earlier, get the rest I need, and let my body wake up naturally.

Sometimes I wake up because one of the kids is up, sometimes it's just the rhythm of the house, but I don't startle awake anymore.

I don't schedule morning appointments if I can help it. I know myself and I know my body.

I respect what makes my days go more smoothly, which means not packing my mornings full of tasks and expectations.

The only time I'll use an alarm now is if I have something really early and important. Otherwise, my body sets the pace.

12. I Quit Paying Bills Manually

A long time ago, I stopped paying bills manually, and I'll never go back.

It's all on autopay now. Every single thing.

I'm forgetful, and I know that about myself.

So I've built systems to keep things running smoothly without relying on memory or willpower.

It's one less thing on my mental load, and it's made my financial life way less stressful.

13. I Quit Drama

I don't want to hear your drama, and I'm not trying to create my own. I'm not interested.

In my late teens and early twenties, I thrived on drama. There was plenty of it going around, which is probably why I thought I was thriving.

Drama feels exciting, but it makes you sick.

It drains your energy, and it messes with your nervous system.

It keeps you stuck in cycles of chaos when you could be growing, creating, or just enjoying life.

I'd rather redirect that energy toward something meaningful.

Drama is noise, and I'm not here for it.

14. I Quit Complex Routines

I've tried all kinds of routines over the years, like the 8-minute morning routine.

But for me, those super-structured, step-by-step routines are hard to stick with. They feel more like checklists than real support.

No system is one-size-fits-all, and that's okay.

So instead of layering on more structure, I started removing pieces, simplifying, and prioritizing the few practices that actually feel good.

Where I do have routines, I try to ritualize them and make them enjoyable, adding meaning where I can.

I'll light a candle or turn on music, little things that make it feel like a treat instead of a task.

The goal is to make what I already do more fulfilling.

15. I Quit Complicated Diets

I've been on a few diets. Keto was the big one, and I actually stuck with it for a pretty long time, for me anyway.

But it was a lot.

Special grocery lists, separate meals for myself and the rest of the family, constant research, it was a lot to manage.

These days, I'm focused on something simpler, eating in a way that helps me live a long, healthy, vibrant life.

I'm thinking ahead 20, 30, even 40 years. I want to be a happy, energetic elder.

I want to truly enjoy that season, whenever it comes.

So I'm less interested in diet "systems" and more focused on a natural, intuitive approach to feeding my body well.

That means fewer hacks, less obsessing over macros, and more nourishment that supports the life I actually want to live.

If you need to follow a specific diet for health reasons, of course, do that. But for me, the intention behind how I eat has changed in a major way.

16. I Quit Needing to Spend Money to Celebrate

I've stopped feeling like I have to spend money in order to celebrate something.

I get a little frustrated with the pressure to do so.

The idea that a "special day" means we need to drop a bunch of cash is something we've built into our culture out of habit more than anything else.

Celebration doesn't have to cost anything. Some of the most memorable moments in my life didn't require a cent.

The magic came from intention every time.

17. I Quit Drinking My Calories

A while back, I gave up drinking regular Coca-Cola.

Now, I might have a Coke Zero here or there, but most of the time, I'm drinking water.

It's simplified so many things, my energy, my metabolism, even my mood and mental clarity.

I used to go through this whole cycle. Drink sugary soda, get headaches, feel bloated and low energy, then "fix" it all with caffeine pills, energy drinks, Advil, and who knows what else.

Now, I just drink more water.

That one change helped eliminate a lot of the hacks and patches I used to rely on. Simpler, healthier, way more sustainable.

18. I Quit Changing Up My Favorite Products

Whether it's food, shampoo, or skincare, I've stopped feeling the need to constantly try new stuff just because it's there.

For me, it comes down to the difference between curating and collecting.

Curating means you find what works and stick with it. You make intentional choices.

You re-choose your favorites, and that's what I'm doing now.

It's simplified my space, my shopping, and even my decisions.

19. I Quit Over-Emphasizing Empathy

I have mixed feelings about this one, because empathy is a gift.

I feel deeply, and I can often tap into how someone else is feeling without them saying a word.

For a long time, I thought I should use this gift fully.

I should feel what others feel. I should help carry their load.

But absorbing someone else's pain just duplicates it instead of actually helping them.

Emotional energy is contagious.

If you open yourself up too much, especially around someone who's constantly in crisis mode or sees themselves as the victim, it can pull you under.

It can make you anxious, sad, or overwhelmed, and it still won't actually help them.

So I've learned how to close that door when I need to. I can still care and still offer support.

But I no longer carry everything that isn't mine.

20. I Quit Prioritizing My "Next Level" Over the Present

This one might surprise some people. It goes against a lot of the messaging we hear about goal setting and growth.

But I've stopped obsessing over my "next level."

I still have goals, and I'm still a fan of vision boards.

I still work toward things I want.

But I no longer treat my life like it's a waiting room for success.

When you reach that goal, there's always another one waiting. The journey is the whole thing.

So if you're not enjoying your life now, what's the point?

I once heard a story about a fisherman that really stuck with me.

There's this fisherman. In the evenings, he'll take home a couple of fish to feed his family. Then he'll go dance in the square, drink margaritas, and go home and play catch with his son. And then he'll go to sleep.

And a businessman walks up to him and is like, "Why are you spending your time catching a few fish when you could have nets? You could be bringing in 10, 12 fish at a time and selling those at the markets. And then take that money and you could reinvest it into buying a boat. And with the boat, you could carry even bigger nets, and you could bring in 30 or 50 fish and sell those at the markets and make even more money."

And the fisherman said, "Why would I want to do that?"

And the businessman said, "You don't understand. You could have so much money just from having this one ship that you could buy a whole fleet of ships, hire people to run those ships for you, and you would have so many nets and so many fish that you wouldn't have to work a day in your life."

And the fisherman said, "And what would my reward be?"

And the businessman said, "That's the best part. You would be able to just lounge on the beach all day, fishing for fun, go to the square in the evenings and dance and drink margaritas, and then go home and eat dinner with your family at night and play catch with your son, and wake up the next day and do it all over again."

And the fisherman said, "And what do you think I'm doing right now?"

That's it. That's the lesson.

Wanting more and growing is great, but don't delay happiness for a version of life you already have access to.

That realization simplified everything.

21. I Quit Needing to Be Right

Being right used to mean everything to me, even when I was wrong.

I'd still try to argue my point, twist the story, or find some angle where I could look "right." It was exhausting.

Over time, I've completely let that go. I don't need to be right anymore.

It's so much easier, and so much more humbling, to just not care.

Matt and I have conversations every day, and sometimes we joke about who was right in a certain situation. But at the end of the day, I truly don't care.

Letting go of that need has lightened everything.

22. I Quit Trying to Do It All Myself

I've hinted at this a few times already, but it deserves its own spot. I stopped trying to do everything myself.

It's been one of the most powerful things I've done to simplify my life. Whether that means delegating something at work, asking my kids to help out at home, or just letting Matt take the lead on something, it all counts.

You don't have to carry the whole load, and often, the people you delegate to might even do it better than you.

Letting go of control just means you're wise enough to protect your energy.

23. I Quit Reading Every Comment

In the first couple of years on YouTube, I read every single comment, even the hateful, pointless ones.

I'd wake up with a solid plan for the day, feeling good and ready to be productive.

Then I'd read one or two nasty comments, and my whole mood would tank. It would mess up my entire day.

You might say, "Well, don't let people get to you," and I have grown thicker skin over the years.

But people are people. We all have days when we're feeling vulnerable.

It's just not healthy to let that many random strangers into your emotional space.

These days, I read a lot of comments, but not all of them.

I still read and respond to helpful or constructive feedback. You don't have to agree with me for me to want to engage.

But if it's just negativity or trolling, I delete it.

It's my channel. My space, my mental health, and I get to protect all of it.

24. I Quit Blaming People

There were a lot of years when I thought, I'm like this because of that thing that happened… because of that person… because of that circumstance.

But blaming never helped anything.

It didn't improve my life or make me feel more empowered.

It just left me stuck, feeling like I had no control.

I see a lot of people living in that space, swimming around in blame, victimhood, and bitterness, not realizing they could actually take the reins and move forward.

For me, learning to stop blaming was life-changing. One of the keys was realizing that things aren't black and white.

People aren't heroes or villains. Life isn't that simple.

Once I really got that, once I stopped needing someone to blame, I was free to move forward without carrying that weight.

25. I Quit Over-Explaining the Past

I used to feel like I had to justify where I was, explaining why I hadn't done X or hadn't achieved Y.

I felt like I owed people a narrative, something that would make everything make sense.

But you don't need to carry around your origin story like a permission slip for your life.

Things are the way they are, and you are where you are.

From here, you can choose to move in a different direction, no matter how you got here.

You don't need to rehash every misstep or misjudgment to earn the right to begin again.

That's been one of the most healing realizations of all.

What Letting All of This Go Actually Gave Me

Hopefully, this wasn't too much. Hopefully, it was helpful to whoever needed to hear it.

If nothing else, it was therapeutic for me, a chance to walk through the things I've quit, the choices that have helped me simplify, and the mindsets that got me to where I am now.

Thanks for being here. 💛

This list is really just one piece of a much bigger picture. If you want a fuller game plan for how to simplify your life for more time, energy, and mental capacity, that's exactly where I'd start next.