5 ways to simplify your life
There’s that story of a monk — or maybe it was the Dalai Lama — who said that when life is busy he meditates twice as long. Sometimes it can seem counter-intuitive that when you have a long to-do list to simplify your life. But I’ve tried both sides of this coin — running around frantically, and establishing a simple rhythm. Here, I want to share what works best for me, in the hope that it might help you, too.
1. Start the night before
The more planning and preparation I can do the night before, the smoother the following day runs. This simple concept works for almost anything I can think of — choosing which clothes to wear, packing my bag, putting away the dishes, writing out a to-do list. In each case, it means that I start the next day with clarity, which increases my sense of calm.
2. Sleep is your superpower
For many years I survived on a minimal amount of sleep. This is one of those life lessons that I’ve learnt the hard way. I often got cold sores, and was sick and stressed. Now I prioritise sleep, and feel so much calmer as a result. I also think it has helped me make better decisions, and work more efficiently.
3. Journal the right way
I have kept various journals over the years — from ones that are a basic recap of my day to others that include big goals. What helps me the most is to reflect on the positive of the day — from notes about my children to what went well or moments of gratitude. These simple sentences have helped me rethink my relationship with myself and the world around me.
4. Walk it out
Exercise has always been an important part of my life. But nothing makes me feel as good as walking. It’s also the most sustainable form of exercise I’ve found. I can do it no matter how fatigued or frustrated I might feel. And it helps me connect with nature, too.
5. Focus deeply
I used to pride myself on being a great multi-tasker. But now I realise that I wasn’t really doing anything effectively, and was most likely taking twice as long to complete any given task. I also think it’s a great part of the reason that I used to work evenings, and into the early hours of the morning. Now I prioritise my most important tasks, hide my phone, and hit ‘do not disturb’ on my computer so that I can get the job done — quicker, and more effectively.
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