Accomplishing goals and making new habits stick is not as easy as knowing what to do. We all know what steps to take to lose weight. Move more. Eat Less. That’s it.
If it’s really that simple, why is it so challenging?
What about living simply? We know what it takes, but the complicated parts of our life muck things up. This might sound obvious, but it needs to be said. A busy life complicates simplicity.
For instance, I would like to live simply in a tiny house on the beach. Because of the way I’ve lived my life up until now, I live in a bigger house that is more than 700 miles away from the ocean. This is not a complaint. It’s a fact. Maybe life circumstances have you living something other than your dream life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get started.
I am not waiting until I’m in my tiny house with a tiny life to live more simply. I’m starting with this…
The Little Guide to Getting Simple
Breathe
Instead of bolting out of bed when your alarm goes off, or hitting the snooze button, breathe mindfully. Lay in bed and take a few deep breaths before rising. (30 Seconds)
Stretch
On waking, replace moving directly to the shower or coffee machine with a simple stretch. Take a deep breath. Reach your hands to the sky and look up, then slowly reach down and touch your toes or knees. Repeat. (60 Seconds)
Hydrate
Start your day with a glass of room temperature water. (30 Seconds)
Rest
Do nothing. (10 minutes)
Create
Write. Draw. Sing. Dance. (10 minutes)
Love
Call a friend. Skpe your sister. Reach out to someone that you love. (10 minutes)
These 32 minutes could change your life. This little guide will not make the complex stuff go away, but it will give you the clarity you need to manage it more effectively. You’ll notice a calmer response to stressful situations, and a clearer vision of your simple life.
You can do this. Even if you have a full time job. Even if you have children. Even if you have pets. Even if your life is complicated. Don’t let one more excuse of busyness get in the way of getting started.
How will you find 32 more minutes in the day to add in these healthy habits?
The even littler guide to finding 32 minutes
- Wake up 6 minutes earlier.
- Watch 10 minutes less of TV, Hulu or Netflix.
- Cut 10 minutes of Twitter or Facebook time.
- Go to bed 6 minutes later.