Is your day-to-day life full of stress and chaos?
Are you scrambling to find a peaceful moment in the day when you can put your feet up and relax? Are you rushed, stressed out and ready to call it quits?
Why is that so? Who is responsible for it? Why have we made it so difficult?
The solution is simple: simplify your life.
It’s the implementation part that is hard, but here are the rules to live by to help you with that:
1. Believe in Yourself , but Be Aware of Your Limitations
The first step to accomplishing all your goals and making your dreams come true starts with this simple realization that you are human:
You are not perfect and you can’t do everything alone.
Always keep things realistic. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself that you find it hard to move; trust yourself to deliver what you need to, but also be prepared to cut yourself some slack.
Own up when you make a mistake. Set goals, and enjoy the journey.
2. De-clutter and Simplify
You have a thousand different things screaming for attention:
You have to tidy up the kids’ room again; you have to do the dishes and laundry; and the never-ending household chores are waiting. You have to organize your calendar and make room for more appointments; make time to socialise; help the kids with homework; and make a gazillion school runs.
Don’t even get started on what needs to be done at the office.
Let’s get one thing straight—you cannot accomplish anything unless you get yourself some of the clarity that comes from creating space in your life, in your relationships and your environment.
You need to reduce, cut back, simplify—Only then will you stop the feeling of being overwhelmed and rushed.
Give anything you haven’t used for the past 3 years to charity. Get organized
Enjoy the concept of enjoying without owing, and appreciating without acquiring.
3. Use Everything in Moderation
This is something I live by, be it work, socializing, family commitments, overeating, shopping, or watching too much TV—it helps with every single thing.
Embrace the philosophy of “having enough”:
There’s no need to go to extremes, so exercise common sense and learn to curb any obsessive behaviour.
Spend less money than you make. watch your diet and watch less TV.
4. Keep Things in Perspective
I admit there will be times when nothing will go your way, and you will find yourself fighting battles, fixing problems and minimizing damage all day long.
We all have those days, and it is too easy to get caught up in the drama. Get a handle on things: this, too, shall pass.
Your child will get better soon, the noisy neighbourhood parties will end, your backstabbing colleague will get transferred (we can hope, can’t we?), and there will be actual days where you tick off all the items on your to-do list.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Have an open mind. Here’s Why Perspective Taking Is an Essential Skill for Success.
5. Treat Others How They Want to Be Treated
You might end up getting in trouble if you try treating others how you want to be treated, instead of how they would like you to treat them.
For instance, if you are not a phone person, you might not call your friend because you assume that they feel the same way you do, which may not be the case.
Try to be sensitive to the needs of others, and occasionally going out of your way to do something for them.
Try not to judge. Be generous; try to do something nice for somebody on a regular basis.
6. Family First
My priority is my family, and I left work to start my own freelancing career for the flexible hours it gives.
That doesn’t mean that my work is not important—it just means that I have to operate in a way that works for me and my family.
How important is it to you that you spend time with your family? Are you making sure that your work doesn’t prevent you from doing just that? What sort of arrangements have you made to make it happen?
You don’t have to stop living your life for your family members, but you’ll feel far less guilt if you prioritise and make time for them.
