Most of us live our lives overwhelmed. We have material stuff we think we have to have to keep. We think we need to keep all that stuff our kids left behind when they moved out. We are overwhelmed with information, technology and just plain old keeping up with everyone else’s lifestyles.
It’s no wonder stress is one of the top reasons for health issues.
There is a joy and calmness that comes from simplifying your life.
I’m not talking about living a minimalist life where you get rid of everything you own. No. What I’m talking about is finding balance and freedom by doing less, committing less, having fewer distractions and having less if that’s our choice.
Simplifying can be anything from decluttering your home to changing your mindset.
Here’s a list of 5 of the most important things to simplify for a more joyful and less stressful existence.
Change your mindset. This is one of the most powerful ways to bring joy into your life. If you want to simplify your life, believe that living a simpler life has value.
Filling your life with material things, obligations, distractions and negative thoughts creates stress. How can you truly be happy when your mind is cluttered?
Time commitments. Let go of those time commitments you don’t love, aren’t in line with your values, or that don’t benefit you. I’m not talking only about material things here.
Let go of those social obligations you don’t love doing. You’ll feel a lot lighter when you release what’s not necessary. You mind will be calmer and better able to deal with any new stress.
Your environment. Decluttering and getting rid of possessions that no longer bring you joy. Do you really need a television in every room? Having too many material possessions can complicate your life in many ways.
Things can drain your bank account, take up all your attention, create stress among your relationships and drain your energy.
The same goes for those useless material items like that pile of magazines from three years ago cluttering up your physical space. Give them away, sell them or toss them out.
Debt. Debt is one of the biggest stressors in our lives. It can hold you captive, keeping you stuck emotionally and physically in your situation.
Begin today to reduce it. Do what you have to do to get out from under the heavy burden of weight. Temporarily sacrifice luxury items for a while and put that money towards debt.
Multi-tasking. Multi-tasking can increase your stress, lower your productivity and take the joy out of everything you are doing. Learn to single-task by focusing on one project at a time. Take joy in completing it. When you’re done with it, move on to the next one.
There are many other ways to simplify your life. This book is one I recommend to help you along the journey.
Our lives are filled with overwhelming stress from too much stuff, too much debt, trying to do too many things at once and committing to more than we have time for. This has taken the joy out of everyday life.
Changing your mindset from one negativity to a positive helps you begin to see how filling your life with things you don’t love isn’t making you joyful.
What steps are you taking to simplify your life? I’d love to hear about them in the comments below or connect with me by joining my Facebook Group.
hugs,
Carol
