Sometimes life feels just plain overwhelming. It’s easy to feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water while chaos spins around you.
The last thing you need is one more thing to worry about checking off your to-do list. That’s why the process of simplifying should be simple. There are small things you can do to bring big results and you have to start somewhere, so let's start with it being all about you!
It may sound silly, but you’ll be more likely to take time out for yourself if you actually schedule it on your calendar. It doesn’t have to be anything extensive. It can be as simple as taking a 10 minute walk around your complex. Many apartments in Chico, California are near Bidwell Park, a perfect location for a quick walk. If you’d rather stay closer to home, take a swim in the pool or visit the fitness room. Anything that focuses on doing something for yourself and allows you a few moments to clear your head will put you in the right frame of mind to focus on other things.
This of course is easier said than done. Sometimes everything feels important, especially if you’re a “yes” person. Start with being honest with yourself. What activities are you currently doing that you really wish you weren’t? In other words, what do you feel obligated to do? Maybe you are on the planning committee for a local fundraiser. Could you offer to help set up and clean up the day of the event instead of committing to weekly meetings? If you have kids and they’re involved in a lot of after school activities, have them pick just one to participate in. Maybe you could give up a class at the gym and go for an evening walk with family or friends instead.
Yes, this will take some discipline in the beginning, especially when it’s Sunday evening and all you want to do is plop on the couch and watch your favorite TV show, but life will be so much simpler during the week if you plan out a few things. Start by prioritizing what’s most important to you, or what causes the most stress for you.
If you dread getting dinner on the table every night, make a meal plan. This doesn’t have to be a gourmet menu. Plan out 5 night’s worth of meals. The other two nights can be a leftover fend for yourself night and a take-out night. Then make a list of any ingredients you’ll need. Before the week begins, make a trip to the grocery store so you’ll have everything on hand that you’ll need. This way when you get home from work you’ll already know what you’re going to make. You’ll be surprised at how good you’ll feel.
Another issue that causes many people stress is clutter. Sometimes living in apartments in Chico, California can easily feel cluttered because of the small space or minimal storage. Next time you walk into your apartment, take a look around. Where do you look first? What clutter are your eyes immediately drawn to that you could eliminate? If it’s the pile of mail and miscellaneous papers on the counter, make it a point to go through the pile each night or at least get a basket to throw it all into and go through it once a week. If it’s stuff just lying around, set a timer for 10 minutes and use the time to put away as much as you can. When the timer goes off, that’s it. You’re done!
If you think about it, living in apartments in Chico, California should compliment simplifying your life – you have a smaller space to worry about, maintenance to call if something goes wrong, access to a pool and fitness area for de-stressing, usually good people as neighbors, and you’re in a great community that offers plenty of ways to wind down and have fun.
These are just a few ways to help you get started simplifying your life because it's not just something to do during the first week of August. Try even one new thing this week and you’ll find that un-complicating things even just a little, feels great!
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