It’s no secret that many of us today face such busy lives that we don’t often stop and smell the roses. The good news is that there are many little things you can do everyday to simplify your life and have more time to do the things you truly enjoy. Here are 5 that I came up with right away . . .
1. GET RID OF THE CLUTTER- Most of us have more “stuff” accumulated in our houses than we actually need to live comfortably. If you have anxiety attacks about opening your closet, it might be time to reevaluate your things. Go through your house and round up things that you haven’t used in the last year. This includes clothes, appliances, household items, whatever! Sort it into piles and decide what you can donate to charity or sell on eBay. The rest should either be thrown out or stored in a place where you are more likely to use it. Eliminating the clutter in your life allows you to live simpler, with just a few key possessions that are necessities.
2. SAY WHAT YOU MEAN AND MEAN WHAT YOU SAY- Being truthful to yourself and others is key to living a simpler life. By being honest and open, you allow little room for miscommunication (aka disaster) to occur. Your relationships will be stronger and considerably less dramatic.
3. NOTICE THE SMALL THINGS- Have you ever driven home from work in such a daze that you realized you had no idea how you got home? This is a common occurrence in today’s fast paced world so it takes effort to turn off auto-pilot for most of us. Try to notice the small things in life more. If you hear a bird chirping, stop and listen. If there’s a rainstorm outside, stop what you’re doing and just watch it pour down. Connecting with the here and now can ground us in the present and leave us more fulfilled.
4. LEARN TO DO WITHOUT- Technology is both a blessing and a curse for our society. While it does make our lives much easier, it also complicates our processes and takes up a lot of our time. If you can afford to, try turning off technology for 2 hours a day. No TV, no cell phone, no laptop and if you can, try not to spend money. Instead, take the time to do things the old fashioned way- with your bare hands! If you want to be entertained, read a book or play a game. Wash your laundry by hand or write an entry in your journal to unwind. Whatever you choose to do, it will not only make you feel more accomplished for the day and will reduce your bills over time.
5. LOSE TRACK OF TIME- Punctuality is a wonderful quality to possess but it can also leave us feeling trapped and regimented. Make it a frequent habit to set aside a day or two to get lost in your own life, without the assistance of a clock or watch. Wake up with the sunrise, eat when you are hungry, do what you would like, the moment you would like to do it. Get your entire family involved. For many people, Sundays are the perfect day to relax and take things in as they come. Take the day to just live, without the pressure of time constraints.
What do you do to live simpler? Do you value simplicity or do you thrive in busy environments?
In the midst of our chaotic lives, we tend to lose sight of who we are and what truly feels like “us”. Vow today to start focusing on getting back to the person you know you are deep down inside. Whether it’s reading a good book or playing your favorite sport, reconnect with the things that make you feel like the best version of you.
The best version of yourself is the one that is at peace with their surroundings. The you that knows exactly what makes them happy and what is a waste of energy. Take some time today to analyze your current life and schedule. How much time do you spend doing things you enjoy? What kind of activities are really just time wasters that can be eliminated or reduced? Are you even sure of what activities you enjoy anymore? If you have fallen out of touch with what makes you happy, don’t worry. It’s easy to get back to that place.
Start by listing all the things that you remember enjoying as a child or teenager. What kind of hobbies did you have? What are your favorite memories? Next figure out ways to recreate some of those events in your life now. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to start playing dodge ball with the neighborhood 12 year olds. But you may enjoy joining a gym with a basketball court or getting some friends to start a weekly game. In doing this exercise you will be reminded of the things that feel the most like “you”.
The ultimate definition of happiness is being unabashedly yourself, for better or for worse, and being at peace with it. Spend less time doing things that are unfulfilling and more time pursuing your passions and dreams. Failing to be the truest form of yourself means you are cheating others out of getting to know how remarkable you really are.
