Before we even get into the effective ways to make life simpler, we need to accept that at times we do make things complicated for us. Because only when we accept, we’ll be able to work on ourselves. Let’s take an example of a person A, to understand how we complicate our daily lives when the motive should be to make life simpler and fulfilling. 

Mr. A thinks that he is trying to give his best but in reality, is just complicating his life. Why? because he is trying to achieve something unrealistic. He wants everything to be perfect. Trying to achieve this goal, he has complicated his life in many ways. He is constantly proving himself to the world. Mr. A wants to excel at everything at his disposal which is again an unrealistic expectation from oneself. As a result, he is left feeling overwhelmed and worried all the time. 

Find Mr. A relatable? Well, then you must have gotten a fair idea of how you make things complicated. Now that we have realized and accepted that we often make things complicated for ourselves, let us understand a few effective ways to make life simpler:

1. Pause, Breathe and Reflect

Do this before every important decision you make or when you are stuck in a complicated situation. Following these three steps can help you be in better control of it. Instead of getting caught up in the moment, take a pause, and breathe in with your belly until you are calm. The motive is to bring that wandering mind to the present moment. When you successfully do that, reflect on the situation. Reflecting allows you to learn, improve and adapt. Thus enabling you to make things simpler.

2. Recognize your priorities

Do you often find yourself making endless to-do lists and filling up diaries? This is because everything seems important to you and you are lacking in recognizing your priorities. Perhaps the most quintessential thing to sort life and make it simpler is to prioritize! Identify what matters to you, what values and beliefs you are willing to stand for, and honor them every day. Doing this will allow you to make time and space for things that actually matter to you. A small note here: Your priorities might change often so make sure you check on yourself every day.

3. Develop a good and realistic routine

Once you have set your priorities right, frame a routine that goes in accordance with them. Decide on what you want to include in your routine. Break your large goal into small ones and set your to-do list accordingly. Make sure you keep a check on your priorities while forming a routine. If your priority is to give time to your family, take out enough time of your day for that purpose. Don’t forget to be consistent and obedient with time.

4. Let go of your own toxic traits

It could be dwelling in the past or overthinking or setting unrealistic expectations for yourself. Identify and list down all the traits that you feel are pulling you down and keeping you from being your best self. Once identified, take efforts to get past them. Doing this is important as only when you let go off you own limiting traits, you can make the most of your life and more importantly make life simpler for yourself.

5. Set attainable goals

We often burden ourselves with unrealistic expectations and as a result set an unachievable goal. For eg: The urge to attain perfectionism. We all know that nothing is perfect, and so how can we achieve it. Instead we can set a goal of becoming a better version of ourselves each day. Not just this setting unattainable goals can also lead to disappointment. Instead set small and achievable ones that can increase the motivation quotient.

6. Get organised

The most basic mantra for having a simple and fulfilling life is to be organised. And when we say get organised dont just declutter your life but your mind to. Make it a point to streamline things in your life. More the chaos, more the inefficiency. We surely dont want that. Take help of practical tools to become more efficient in managing things. Start from small things like putting up a to do board on your wall, or setting up reminders on your phone for the important events. Eventually you will be able to organise and streamline your life efficiently.

7. Refrain from being a control freak

Let us give you an important reminder here: Time and energy are limited resources! The more you seek control, the more you waste these resources. There’s nothing wrong in control, however trying to put efforts into things that are not in your control can result in a chaotic mind, uncontrollable anger and irritability. All of which are unhealthy for your mind and that only result into a complicated life. Instead let go of the constant urge to be in control of things and instead practice controlling your emotions. Accept that not all things shall go as planned.

8. Don’t wait to live your best life

Who told you that you are going to get even a minute more in your life? We are sure that this thought must have changed your entire perspective on life. One common mistake that we all make while giving ourselves to the routines and tasks of this world is taking life as a destination and not a journey. Instead of giving in to today’s era of grind, grind, grind, live and then die, it should be live and live throughout. Don’t wait to take up that hobby after you retire, don’t wait to spend time with your family until you are old, do what you love today and live your best life from this moment on itself. This way not just will your life be simple but fulfilling too.