When you are constantly, feeling
overwhelmed and stressed, it is a good sign that you probably need to simplify
your life. There is stress in life that are unavoidable and uncontrollable, but
what most people do not realize is that they are in control of much of the
stress that is occurring.
We often make our lives more
difficult than they need to be, so when we dial it down a notch and make things
simpler, our stress levels will fall
rapidly making our lives much more enjoyable.
It is a choice we can all make.
Many times, we think everything is of
equal importance in our lives, but there are some great ways to evaluate what
really matters so we can gain a new perspective on life.
Below are 12 tips for
simplifying your life.
1. Figure
out what is truly important.
This is really so simple. You must
identify what is important to you and more or less eliminate everything else.
This is easier to do than you may realize. Start with an organized plan of
how to simplify by making a list of all activities you have going on
in your life right now that take up time or create stress.
What has the most emphasis on a
day-to-day basis? What can be simplified or eliminated. Once you make this list, it is a whole lot
easier to see what changes can be done to avoid stress
2. Clear the clutter.
In your home and office, probably
many things are cluttering your space. Everything must have its place – even if
it is in the trash! When you clear the clutter from your space, you will find
that cleaning, finding things and simply going about your daily life is a lot
simpler and a whole lot less stressful. Likewise, just the mental and emotional
aspect of clearing out the clutter is helpful to simplifying.
3. Limit time on
media.
Most people do not realize that social
media as well as television consume a lot of their time. Carve out specific
times for this and limit yourself. Most people find that limiting these
activities, creates much more time and space within their day.
4. Reconsider your
commitments.
If you stressed out all the time, it
may be time to pare down your commitments. Many times, we simply over-commit
ourselves. You should look at the “extras” in your life and see how they align
with the things that are most important to you. If there are things that you
are committed to doing that you do not enjoy or do not add meaning to your
life, consider giving them up. You can reduce stress and make your life more
relaxed when you release yourself from commitments that are only tying you
down.
5. Re-evaluate your
buying habits.
Many people feel stressed out because
of finances. Simplifying what you purchase can create much more peace in your
life. Evaluate what you are purchasing regularly and determine whether these
items are necessary. In addition, does food go to waste in your fridge?
Reconsider how you do your grocery shopping, what is useful, and what goes to
waste.
6. Create dedicated
alone time.
Dedicate a certain amount of time to
yourself to be alone each week. During this time, do an evaluation of what you
can continue to simplify and what is going well. Then take a bit of your alone
time to rest and breathe.
7. Say no.
Many times when we stressed, it is
because we do not know how to say no to the people in our lives. Saying no to
kids, family, friends, and even the boss is important. It can be tough to say
no, but you can say it with grace or by delegating the request to another
capable person. If you are finding it difficult to stay firm, remember that you
are not superman or superwoman. You cannot possibly take on the world by
yourself!
8. Pare down your
beauty routine.
This area is often time-consuming for
women. Chances are that you are putting more into your beauty routine than
is necessary. Figure out where you can eliminate time and still feel great
about yourself.
9. Simplify your
work.
Every day when you are at work, you
likely have a 10-page to-do list. In reality, there are things that just are
not very important and are not worth the effort. There will be things that you
will never get around to do. That is okay! Accept the fact, re-evaluate your
activities to determine what is essential, and do away with the rest.
10. Keep surfaces
clear.
Just like clearing out the clutter,
keep your surfaces clear on a daily basis. Taking just a couple minutes a day
to clear out your mail and your countertops can do wonders for your emotional
state. When things build up, it creates mountains of stress, literally.
11. Involve the
family.
There is as much to do at home, as
there is at work. Make your family your team and involve them in the home
activities. Get everyone involved in the little tasks around the home such as
taking out the trash, dusting, and doing the dishes. For example, you can
require that each family member pick up 5-10 things around the house before
bed. This way, cleaning the house is a lot easier and you can spend more of
your time relaxing instead of worrying about every little task around the home.
12. Learn what enough
is.
We live in a world where it seems
like everyone always wants more. Learn what enough in your life is. You will
find more fulfilment in what you already have and learn that seeking more
is only a means to create more stress.
As you can see, simplifying your life
does not have to be difficult. You just need to get back to basics and do away
with everything else. Living a simple life is living a happier, less stressed
life and that is something that we can all aspire to do.
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