Easy ways to simplfy your life :: Guest Post, Sam Davidson

(PLUS A GIVEAWAY)

The world is hectic. Schedules become our taskmasters, forcing us to run around town, prioritize what we have to do over what we want to, and can leave us feeling drained at the end of another long and busy day.

Sometimes, we want the merry-go-round to stop for just a minute. "If I could just have five minutes of quiet peace!" we think, hoping that other people's expectations can wait until we've had some downtime.

In other words, life is anything but simple. And, it doesn't look like things are going to get easier anytime soon. And, since running away and living in a cave or a monastery isn't quite in the cards for most of us, we have to find realistic and meaningful ways to keep things simple. Here's a list of 20 to get you started:

1. Take three deep breaths. It sounds small, but those cleansing breaths can help you refocus when you feel stressed.
2. Leave your cell phone in the car when you run in the store. Not checking it constantly will feel like a burden has been lifted.
3. Pray or meditate or get in touch with your inner self each day, even if it's only for five minutes.
4. Find one activity a week - no matter how trivial or silly - that completely relaxes you and takes your mind off of everything else. Read a book, watch reality TV, take a long bath - the choice is yours.
5. Get a candle you love. Light it. Say a prayer. Take a deep breath. Repeat.
6. Schedule all your meetings out of the office on the same day. Sure, you'll have a whirlwind of face-to-face encounters, but fighting daytime traffic only one day a week (as opposed to five) will calm you down.
7. Sweat. Walk, run, life weights - just do something that pushes your physical limits. You'll release toxins and endorphins, both of which are great at fighting stress.
8. Give and receive one hug each day.
9. Sing. Out loud. To a song you know.
10. Look at old pictures. Either frame them where you can see them often, or keep a box handy to rifle through. Look at them and remember who you were, how much you had to learn, and what life was like.
11. Laugh. Loudly and well, at whatever you think is funny.
12. Practice saying "no." Decline opportunities that aren't right for you. Voluntarily taking on responsibilities you don't enjoy will make you feel out-of-balance.
13. Give something away each week. Maybe it's a dollar to someone on the street, a meal to a friend, or a box of clutter to Goodwill. The act of giving can be refreshing.
14. Set limits. Don't answer the phone after dinner; no snacks after 10 PM; no Internet until you've had coffee - find meaningful boundaries that work for you and your family.
15. Celebrate. Cheer on the success of those you love, root for the home team, or congratulate a co-worker on a job well done.
16. Make something. The creative process - whether you're scrapbooking or baking - can do wonders for your attention and concentration.
17. When you go on vacation, be on vacation. No emails. No work discussions. No spreadsheets.
18. Reconnect with friends. Refuse to have "old" friends. Keep your relationships up-to-date with phone calls, emails, or texts. When possible, always meet in person to catch up.
19. Clean out your wallet (or your purse or your coffee table). Keeping places that we use often free from trash and clutter can reduce your stress.
20. Say thank you. And smile. Simplicity is easy to pass on.

What would you add to this list? One lucky winner will receive a copy of my newest book, Simplify Your Life: How to de-clutter and de-stress your way to happiness (paperback or Kindle version). Leave a comment below with how you simplify your busy life and a random entry will be selected next week to win the book!

About Sam Davidson:

Sam Davidson is a speaker, author, and entrepreneur who tells stories that need telling in order to motivate others to change the things that need changing, whether it's their community or their own lives. He is the author of three books, the co-founder of Cool People Care, and the father of a fantastic 18-month-old daughter. You can follow him on Twitter or keep up with him on Facebook or at his blog.