Post Date
August,
08
2019
Savor Family/Simplify/Sunlight
Appreciate Nature/Sleep & Exercise/Clean Eating
Refocusing your energies to living a more simple life by stepping out of the fast paced life we have created will open up the possibilities to find happiness and your life's passion.
With the advancement of technology, we are used to getting things quicker and faster right at our fingertips. The technology information highway is moving at speeds faster then ever before. But the irony of modern technology saving us time, is we are actually losing time. We fill up that saved time with more projects and activities. We have to have it all, and do it all. Time is passing us by too quickly. Are we really enjoying life? Or are we in this never-ending, fast-paced loop of hectic activities?
To really enjoy life you need to figure out what are the good things in your life. What makes you happy? - What do you enjoy? Now is the time make more time for those good things.
Steps to Simplify
Decide what is important – Stop and think about what is important to you. How do you want to spend your time? Who do you want to spend your times with? What do you want to accomplish?
Make a short list of 3-5 things in your life you want to do, people you want to spend time with, things you’d like to accomplish at work.
Live in the Moment - Be aware of what you are doing and do not let your mind drift about what you need to do next or later.
Focus on the people you are with – do not let your mind wander on other things. Savor this time with your friends and family.
Find your pleasures - Make a list of the simple things that give you pleasure and engage with them a few times a week.
Appreciate Nature - Find time to take in a hike or sit by a lake.
Appreciate Nature - Find time to take in a hike or sit by a lake.
Make a Bucket List - This does not have to be major things you want to do but simple things. Start with ten -- a "mini" bucket list.
Exercise controls your weight, promotes good health, boosts energy & improves mood.
Sleep is key for a healthy body and mind. 7-8 hours every night. Sleep is also a key ingredient when you are trying to shed those unwanted pounds.
Reduce Stress - Scroll down to see ways to reduce the stress in your life.
Sunlight - Get ten minutes of sun a day! Sunlight contains and important vitamin our body needs, Vitamin D. Sunlight also improves your mood.
Drive Slower - Do not get caught up in the frantic mad rush to get to places. It drives up your stress levels.
Eat Slower - Savor the flavors and textures of the foods you eat.
Eat Healthy - Be aware of everything you put into your body. Read labels and think about changing the way you eat.
Movement - Find whatever movement inspires you and do it.
Create – Make a new dish, sing a song, draw, paint or whatever makes you happy. Express yourself.
Tips to Simplify
Clear Clutter/Slow Down/Disconnect/
Make a bucket list/Shed Activities/Plan Your Time
Clear the Clutter - This can be one of the biggest creators of stress in life.
Simplify your "To Do" List - Do less and prioritize. Focus on the important – Do not fill up your day with things to do. You end up rushing to do them all and fail. Pick three important things you need to get done.
Simplify your "To Do" List - Do less and prioritize. Focus on the important – Do not fill up your day with things to do. You end up rushing to do them all and fail. Pick three important things you need to get done.
Plan your day – Be efficient in how you organize your day. You will accomplish more and feel more in control of your life with a plan..
Automate - Online banking, shopping and the post office. This saves you time standing in lines. It also limits post office drop-offs, reduces time and money spent on stamps and licking envelopes.
Reduce Debt - This is another big stressor in our life. When we create a strict budget, stick to it and start paying off the debt we feel we have accomplished something.
Disconnect - Use this time to read, meet friends, join a class, and connect with yourself or others.
Work Free Vacations - Turn off your cellphone and leave your laptop at home. Relax and enjoy every minute.
Reduce Information Overload - Being flooded with stimuli is a tremendous source of stress. Limit the amount of information you expose yourself too especially before you go to sleep at night.
Shed Activities - Make a list of your (and your kids') activities - prioritize your list and shed those that are no longer fun or serve a purpose in your life.
Minimize Negative Relationships - Cut out (or minimize) relationships that cause you stress.
Nurture Relationships - Nurture the people who make you feel good and laugh. Invite them to lunch, send a nice note, or invite them to hang out.
Learn to say No - Be strong and say No when asked to do something you really do not want to do.
Delegate - Do not try to do it all. Share the workload at home and work by asking for help.
Shop/Cook - Dedicate one night a week to plan and prep for the week's meals & school lunches.
Create a Family Calendar - Create a monthly or weekly calendar using different colored pens for each family member. Post the calendar where everyone can see it.
Run your Errands - During the week not on Saturdays when everyone is out and about.
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Plan Time for Yourself - Everyday!
Finish What You Started - Set some time aside to get the projects completed that you started. Once they are completed you will not waste time stressing about completing them.
Eliminate "stuff" - Get rid of things that stress you out or create angst. For me it was a bush in the back yard. It had bothered me for seven years. So finally, I just cut it down. Now, I don't have to waste my time thinking about it any more. It's gone - out of my life. Getting rid of all the small simple issues opens you up to really focus on the bigger issues.
Let go of old goals - Goals you may have set for yourself could be outdated by now. It is always a good idea to re-evaluate your life and set new goals.
Reduce the Clutter from your Life!
Some people may ask what is wrong with all this stuff? Nothing if you like all the clutter. Did you know 80% of what we own we never use? By getting rid of the clutter it also helps reduce housework by 40%. You save 55 minutes a day looking for stuff now that you are organized and clutter free. That is a good two hours you just got back! Two hours to spend with your family getting healthy and having fun! Here are some more benefits to eliminating the clutter in your life.
Less Stress - Clutter can become a visual and mental distraction. It is piles of things you have to do - papers to file - clothes to put away - junk to get ride of. Clutter is always in the back of your mind.
Efficiency - Now that you do not have to focus on all the clutter in your home -the piles of "things to do" -you will work more efficiently.
Calm - Relaxation in an uncluttered home becomes easier. By getting rid of the clutter in your home, you get rid of it sub-consciously in your mind. You would be amazed at how much better you feel.
Inspiration - Reducing your clutter will inspire your spouse and your kids to do the same.
Steps to Reduce Clutter in Your Home
Select - Pick a room, closet or drawer to start your declutter. Empty everything out and put it in a pile.
Ask the Questions - Do I really need this "stuff"? Do I wear all these clothes? Will I really wear this someday? Do I need all these sheets?
Eliminate - Once you decide to eliminate the "stuff" -- and do not take a long time deciding -- donate it, sell it or toss it. Just get it out of your house.
Organize - Now that you have reduced your "stuff" neatly put back what is essential to you. Organize like items together leaving space around the items. This space makes things look neater and simpler. It will leave you feeling good.
Slow-down to ENJOY LIFE
Even if you do just one thing this year to slow down your life you will be better off than last year. Finding that lost time will give you more time to do the things you love. Take the first step like I did, and reap the benefits.
Start your plan now - clear the clutter, plan & organize, shed activities, and disconnect.
Feeling good about these first couple of steps spurred on bigger steps for my life. Now, I have more time to enjoy my life, my family, my Jeep and explore new opportunities and adventures.
Reduce the stress in your life and clear your mind.
Getting healthy has many facets -- eating right -- getting outdoors -- exercise -- being happy. But a big effect on your health is stress. There are many levels of stress, and so many things that trigger stress. Stress is unique to each individual. So there is no one right way to reduce the stress. We all need to find our own steps to reducing stress. Here was my plan to reduce the stess in my life.
Step 1: What triggers my stress?
Step 2: List of the top 5 things that gave stress.
Step 3: Set a plan into motion to reduce the stress.
Blog Posts
Top 5 things that stress me out!
Volunteering: I say yes way too much, so I am learning to say no. I cut my volunteering time in half.
Dinner: I stressed to much about what to make for dinner each night. So once a week I plan out a menu, write it on the calendar and shop once a week for the food.
Money: My new goal is to be more frugal. We sat down as a family and found ten ways to be more conservative with our money.
My health: I started clean eating. I found an exercise plan that works for my body and I make time to have fun.
Clutter: I cannot stand to have "stuff" everywhere. So once a month I take a day to purge. Now I am finding things I can re-sell & donate. This also helps with money.
There are many ways to begin to reduce the clutter in your home. You can start out small and simple by tackling a drawer or cupboard or closet or you can take on a whole room. You need to decide at what level you are ready to take on at this point in your life. There are a lot of ways to do this without making big sacrifices. This ongoing process will make you feel happier and calmer. You may even find a lost treasure or two.
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