We’re often told that the only way to be successful is by constantly working hard. Doing this can leave us feeling burnt out and exhausted, with little time to feel good about our everyday lives. I’m the kind of person who believes in this mantra. I tend to work to the point of extreme stress.
This is a list of seven simple ways I try to improve my daily life. It’s how I try to make a stressful day brighter.
I don’t do all of these things every day, but when I do, I feel fulfilled. My ultimate goal would be to accomplish each of these small tasks every day, but that isn’t always realistic. Try your hardest to do one, and you’ll begin to feel the difference.
1. Make the bed every morning.
It’s amazing how much more productive I feel once my bed is made. It doesn’t take longer than one minute out of my day to arrange the pillows and align my sheets. If you have another minute, pick up the clutter lying around and put it in its rightful place.
2. Spend at least 10 minutes enjoying nature.
My favorite time to enjoy nature is when I’m walking the dog. It’s a beautiful time to enjoy the sunshine and cool breeze. If you don’t have a dog, go on a brief walk alone. You can do this any time, no matter the place or the weather. Put your worries aside and enjoy the fresh air. Let it liven up your day.
3. Put away clean dishes every morning, and do the dirty dishes every night.
This is similar to the first one. Doing the dishes cleans up your home, and thus cleans up your mind. I can’t be productive until I know that everything around me is clean and organized. It isn’t exactly fun, but dishes that sit there overnight are gross. Give it a try.
4. Do someone else a favor, and don’t make them feel bad about it.
If someone needs your help, give it to them willingly. Don’t think about how much time it will take out of your day. Just do it and don’t expect anything in return. This kind act will be repaid to you when you need it most, trust me.
5. Write in a journal.
Write down your thoughts on a piece of paper, and let them flow freely from your mind. Don’t worry what anyone else will think. No one else has to read it. Reading old journal entries is my favorite way to learn about my life. It allows me to see how much I’ve grown. Not to mention, it’s therapeutic. There’s something about writing your thoughts down that makes them less stressful.
6. Tell someone how important they are to you.
Let your family members know you love them. Tell your significant other how much you appreciate having them in your life. Remind your best friend that you wouldn’t be able to get through difficult times without them. Showing your love to others is the easiest way to bring more love into your life.
7. Remind yourself that you don’t have to do it all in one day.
I usually have a long to-do list at the beginning of the day. At night, I beat myself up over not completing everything on the list. I could have gotten more work done when I was sitting around playing games on my cell phone. But we need breaks every once in a while. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and we don’t have to do it all in one day either.
Powerful Belief 