8 steps to simplify your life, breathe & avoid burning out...

Following my burn out post I said I would write about some of the strategies I am using to help avoid hitting burn out again and to help take some control back. Sometimes everything feels like a lot, like your mind is racing faster than the world is moving or that the world is moving so much faster than your mind. So here are some steps to make life a little less complicated and to slow the f*ck down.

1- Live in Gratitude - I know all the modern day gurus are jumping on to this, and there is a good reason for it. It is really hard to focus on negativity when you are busy appreciating the good. It can be small and silly, it can be big and deep. It’s yours to choose. But give it a whirl - when you feel like everything is a lot, go back to the basics.

2 - Cut the crap/toxicity - If Marie Kondo and Martha Stewart had a baby it would be me, I LOVE cleaning out my physical environment but what I am not so good at is culling the emotional environment. If someone or something is in your life and they do not serve you or make you feel good, it’s bye Felicia! Say no to what you don’t want to do so you can say YES to what you want to do.

3 - Take time for the little things - Maybe it’s cute dogs or cute children, maybe it’s reading a book with the sun on your skin, a delicious burger and beer after a big week… Whatever it is just take it in. These little things will ground you and remind you that no matter how hectic life is - the small things make the big things worth it.

4 - Do not live in comparison or in the future - You will never be happy if your mindset is one of “I will be happy when” or when it’s you will be happy if you become like them. You will overthink and therefore over complicate your life. If you just stop to focus on everything you already have in that moment.... You will see you & your life are pretty freakin special.

5 - Let go of other people’s obligations, expectations and opinions - Oh the never ending cycle of doing things to please other people. It’s simple - you will never be happy if you are constantly trying to please people with what you do, say and who you are. When we look to others to fulfill our needs, we pretty much always end up disappointed as we naturally have different expectations/standards to those around us. Focus on you.

6 - Have a structure, but one that works for you - Most of us have a lot going on in our lives. Most of us are trying to juggle more than one thing at a time. Adding a little bit of structure to your day will allow you to save time to not have to worry about the little things and ultimately simplify your schedule. Find out what works for you and do it.

7 - Move forward by pressing pause - This one I’m writing because I know it’s the truth but I struggle with it and have not yet mastered it, not even a little. I work in a fast forward, crazy pace 80% of the time. But I hit burn out because of it and ended up not being able to do anything, so I am trying to simplify my life and my mind by just slowing down. Remember - when things get too much - press pause so that you can move forward.

8 - Be authentically you- It’s that simple. This is my favourite one and biggest tip, one I’m working on daily.

When you are living your authentic self it’s hard to feel bad for it. People will pick up on your true vibe and the ones that are meant to be around will dig it and those that aren’t… well their opinion, expectations and obligations don’t matter anyway right ;)

So the moral of the story? Slow down & take in the little things whilst cutting out the crap. Live with some structure but a lot of spontaneity too. Live simply and in the now, be grateful and most of all, be you.