1Simplify Your Life by Saying "No"

This is the number one way to drastically reduce that overwhelming feeling that your life is out of control.

More often than not you feel like you are obligated to do things when the reality is you are doing what you think everyone else expects instead of what you really want to do.

Before you know it, you have said yes to so many things that the last person on the list ends up being you. The first and most important step to getting control of your life is to say "no" even if you have to practice it in front of the mirror before you say it to someone.

2

Getting Rid of Stuff

We all accumulate belongings over time that we really don’t need. If your home looks cluttered with all of this stuff that is not necessary, this works on your subconscious mind and makes you feel overwhelmed. Have a yard sale, give it away, hire a professional organizer to go through it with you, or sell it on eBay.

Whatever method you choose, come up with a plan for getting rid of stuff. If it seems like moving a mountain, then start with a few items each week. You can’t take it with you when you leave this earth and meanwhile it is making you feel overwhelmed. Why keep it?

3

Down Your Debt

Do everything in your power to minimize your debt load even if it means cutting up your credit card. When you owe money it makes you feel drastically overwhelmed and works on your subconscious. Keep your spending limits within your income range and avoid credit cards like the plague.

When companies tempt you with credit they are encouraging you to spend money that you don’t have, not to mention the interest rates and hidden fees associated with a credit card policy.

4

Take "Me" Time

Yes...your well being is important and it is not selfish to take time for yourself. Take a long hot bubble bath with a glass of wine, take a walk on your own every day, read a book, or take a drive. Whatever you choose make a daily ritual of getting some time to yourself. It helps you to regroup so you feel energized and capable of handling situations better.

5

Take Time Off from Work

If you are the kind of employee that prides yourself on all of the vacation time you have accumulated, start using it.

Although it may make you seem like the dedicated employee when you don't take vacation, the fact is people see that you work hard and they pile more responsibilities on you because they know you can handle extra work.

If you show concern for yourself, they will most likely back off and give you some space.

6

Simplify Your Life by Deciding What is Important to You

Our lives are filled with all of these things that will not matter a week from now, a year from now, or hardly ever. Decide what is important to you and then keep those things in your life and discard the things that don’t matter. You will feel a sense of relief and your life will be simplified.

7

Get Rid of Activities or People that Drain You

We all have activities that we do that drain our spirit and our time and when we look at them, we wonder why we do them. If you have some of these activities in your life, cut them out if they are not enhancing your life in any way. Also, if you have people that constantly demand your time and drain your energy, limit your contact with these people and surround yourself with positive and fulfilling friendships.

8

Simplify Your Life by Limiting Your Use of Technology

In a world where people are walking around with cell phones attached to their ears, it adds convenience while simultaneously complicating your life. If people know that you are easy to get a hold of through a cell phone, pager, or other type of technology, your life will quickly spin out of control and your time will belong to other people. Simplify your life by limiting your use of technology and turn it off once in a while to stop and smell the roses for a while.

9

Accept Imperfection

Stop pressuring yourself by believing everything must be perfect. Although you should never settle for mediocrity, it can also cause you to feel drastically overwhelmed if you believe everything must be perfect. Simplify your life by striving to achieve a high level of success and be satisfied with your level of achievement.

10

Simplify Your Life by Striving for Work/Life Balance

Let’s face it. Our careers drain a lot of time out of our family life and things that we would like to do. If you are happy with your career but it takes a lot of your time, find ways to cut back so you can balance the time you spend working with your personal life. Request to telecommute a few days a week or assess your situation and cut back on things that are insignificant.

What other tips do you have about how to simplify your life that might help others?