So how does a person get started on simplifying her life? Not just for summer, but in a lasting, meaningful way?
Here’s what the experts say…
(Note: These are the easy ones.)
What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What 4-5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.
Evaluate your commitments. Look at everything you’ve got going on in your life. Everything, from work to home to civic to kids’ activities to hobbies to side businesses to other projects. Think about which of these really gives you value, which ones you love doing. Which of these are in line with the 4-5 most important things you listed above? Drop those that aren’t in line with those things.
Evaluate your time. How do you spend your day? What things do you do, from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep? Make a list, and evaluate whether they’re in line with your priorities. If not, eliminate the things that aren’t, and focus on what’s important. Redesign your day.
(Note: And here is the hardest one of all…)
Learn to say no. Always ask: Will this simplify my life? If the answer is no, reconsider. This is actually one of the key habits for those trying to simplify their lives.
Sigh. They make it sound so easy.
Ok. Here is my take on simplifying my life:
"At the end of the day, you either focus on what separates you, or what holds you together."
I find the quickest way to simply my life is to focus on what holds us together. It takes a significant amount of emotional energy and time to focus on what separates us. I believe in building on our strengths and not focusing too much on our weakness, because those will likely never change.
Steph
PS – Reyna is doing so well! See you tonight.
Okay…that's a keeper! I'm writing it on an index card and thumbtacking it to my bulletin board.
What I have started doing to simplify my life is going through one drawer at a time. Things are being tossed that years ago would have been a treasure I couldn't concieve parting with. Funny how little we need to live on!