Don’t Be Silly, Keep It Simple!

Have you ever found yourself asking, “how did something so simple become so complicated?”? Well, you aren’t alone. Many of us have a tendency to overcomplicate things because, believe it or not, it’s normal to feel worried and stressed when something is just outside of our control. The good news is, we’ve compiled a list of ways to keep life simple so, check it out!

1. Nobody’s Perfect. I think we can all agree that Hannah Montana said it best, “Nobody’s perfect, you live and you learn it…” We all make mistakes, we all have bad days, we all say the wrong things sometimes. As soon as you accept that and understand that we’re all in the same boat, you’ll begin to feel a little relief. 
2. Live Honestly. The easiest way to add stress and complication to our lives is by being dishonest. Whether it’s telling a lie, theft, deceit, or anything in between, that nagging feeling of being afraid to get caught does nothing but complicate life. So, avoid it at all costs!
3. Communicate Clearly. How many times have you had a conversation with someone and you leave it thinking “I hope they didn’t take that the wrong way” or the other person says something and you walk away thinking “Did they really mean it like how it came out?”. It can be a gut-wrenching feeling and sometimes you can spend days, weeks, even months thinking about it. Take our advice, communicate clearly and effectively and if you’re ever unsure, address it immediately.
4. Avoid Toxic People. We all have that friend that brings “the drama” with them wherever they go. You know what “the drama” does? Adds complication! So, as much as you can, avoid those people who bring it with them and instead fill your time with people you know are trying to keep life simple, just like you!
5. Stop Procrastinating. Again, a pretty good rule of thumb to live by in general, but especially if you are trying to avoid over-complicating something. The more we procrastinate, the more stress we add to a situation because we’re worried about missing deadlines, letting people down, or not coming through on a promise. You can avoid those feelings of stress and worry by attacking your to-do list and staying on top of deadlines.
6. Learn How to Say No. We know this one can be easier said than done, but it is a necessary skill. Try things like saying it to yourself in front of a mirror, coming up with a phrase you feel comfortable saying, or practicing with a friend or family member you trust. And always remember, just because you decline something does not make you a bad person, it just means that you have boundaries that are important to you as well.

Now that you’ve read through the list, jot down some ideas on how you can implement some of these tips and tricks. If the goal is to simplify your life, you have to start somewhere and one of these ideas might be the exact thing you need to jumpstart your progress!