9 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life and Find True Happiness

Happiness is not about having the best of everything, but about making the best of what you have. – Bruce Lee

In 2017, being constantly busy has become almost a religion. People often forget the healing power of simply sitting in their pajamas and doing nothing. Look at successful and happy people: their secret is not in the things they own, but in their lifestyle and attitude. It’s hard to realize, but even loved ones can hold you back. Take a look around and you might find that you’re attached to something that doesn’t serve you well. Here are some tips to help you get rid of the excess and simplify your life.

1. Accept Reality

No matter what lifestyle magazines and famous coaches say, goal-setting apps don’t always work. You might start by evaluating your efficiency, thinking you can handle everything, but after a couple of weeks, you realize it’s impossible to check all the boxes on your list. You don’t have a time machine, and even with the ability to be late, you quickly fall behind schedule. Accept defeat and don’t let your own schedule pressure you. Do what’s enough, not what’s too much.

2. Distribute Goals Throughout the Week

Cooking on Monday. Cardio on Tuesday. Drawing on Wednesday. If you can do more than one thing a day, great, but it’s not necessary to make it a crucial point. Spread your goals evenly throughout the week to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

3. Delegate

There are many reasons why we don’t trust others with our work. Pride, the pleasant feeling of self-sacrifice, and others always seem to do things differently! Look at what’s preventing you from delegating, set aside your prejudices, and ask for help from family, friends, and colleagues.

4. Use Others’ Services

According to a 2016 NYT report, people who pay for delivery and house cleaning feel more prosperous than those who do all the work themselves. Set aside some money and spend it on a cleaning service. You’ll get more positive emotions from this than if you force yourself to stick to your own schedule. If something is hard for you to do, don’t do it.

5. Say No More Often

People are social creatures who don’t like to miss out on interesting things. We say “yes” to a walk not because we want to, but because it’s awkward to refuse. How many times have you agreed to meet someone when you were afraid to spend the evening alone?

It’s an old story: your favorite band comes to town for a concert, or an old friend has a themed party. Countless opportunities to do something interesting don’t let you rest, and time spent without pleasure only causes stress. Be honest and refuse people immediately, don’t take time to “think about it.”

6. Leave on Time

Can you imagine how stressful life would be if we never left what we started? If you were still swimming, you would constantly worry about worsening results and championships that are quite difficult to win. How many problems can be caused by an expensive and already hated fitness class, a job with poor pay, or toxic relationships. Say “goodbye” to these activities and don’t look back.

7. Don’t Worry

It sounds sacrilegious, but what would happen if you didn’t emotionally engage in everything? I think life would only get better. Ask yourself, how much do you need to do to justify your existence on this planet? Distance yourself from other people’s problems to stay afloat. If you’re not indifferent to what’s happening every day, look for an additional source of inner strength to fight in battles.

8. Use the Pareto Principle

Wilfred Pareto’s rule states that in any task we undertake, 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort. Most of the time, you’re spinning your wheels, but if you focus, you realize that only a small effort matters, and you can coast on inertia.

9. Free Up Space

You need mental, emotional, or physical space, or better yet, all three at once. Those who live on a tight schedule and can’t find time for rest and loved ones should eliminate some non-essential obligations.

This also applies to material values. Is your kitchen table cluttered with items, and your side table piled with folders of documents that need to be sorted and copied? Clean one place at a time and try to keep it empty. Constantly ask yourself: “Does this add joy to my life?” If not, give it to someone who needs it more.

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