Simple Steps to Improve Your Life

Get Organized

This is huge for me. I cannot function in a messy cluttered space. When my work and play areas are all over the place it actually causes emotional distress. I lash out and become cranky. Why? Well it's simple, how can you feel safe, calm, and "in control" of your life when you see disarray every time you turn your head?

Plus, nobody likes coming home to a mess, and those piles of clutter add to your to-do list. So, instead of letting things pile up, find ways to stay organized that you’ll stick with. Especially when these are new habits, keep in mind that it’s easy to say “I’ll deal with it later,” but that’s often how those piles creep up. By dealing with things “now,” it’s easier to stay organized and keep the clutter to a minimum.

Donate What You Don’t Use

Go through your belongings and see if there’s anything that you don’t use. Go through the entire house – including your closets and junk drawers. have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Not everything you own will fit into one of those two categories, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind when you’re deciding what will stay and what will go. I also use the one year rule for clothing, document (unless it's tax documents), and "stuff". What's the one year rule? If you haven't worn it, used it, or needed for one year, then you don't need it.

Once you’ve boxed up those “to go” items, donate them. Perhaps someone else will find them beautiful or useful!

Use Just a Little Less

If you consume less, you’ll have to less “stuff” to manage. Having extra space or money doesn’t mean you have to fill it – or spend it on – “things.” Think about one thing you purchase that you could cut out without negatively affecting your quality of life.

Keep Your Kitchen and Workout Area Ready for Activity

The kitchen and your workout space/home gym are two of the primary areas in your home that you use to get fit. If you keep these areas ready, you make it even easier to achieve your goals.

If you don’t have a separate workout room, consider dedicating a corner of your house as “The Workout Corner.” Organize it so that you can just jump in easily to your workout with your mat, resistance bands or weights, and any other equipment you need at the ready. Same thing goes for your kitchen. Have you ever avoided cooking because the kitchen is a mess, the sink was full of dishes, or you can't find things you need? Make your kitchen a space where you want to spend your time preparing your meals.

Prep Your Meals

This is so good for me. It removes so much of my daily stress! Just think how convenient it would be to have all your meals prepared for you so don’t have to think about cooking after a long day. One or two days a week, prep your meals for the next few days. Chop your veggies, cook your proteins, and put your dishes together in tupperwear so all you have to do is pull them out of the fridge and enjoy.

(For sample shopping lists and meal prep inspiration, check out my recipes and grocery list section). By doing this, you’ll reduce the temptation to eat out or cook unhealthy foods because you’re feeling exhausted.

Refocus on What’s Important to You

Take the time to make a short list of the things that you need and things that make you happy. Are you achieving these goals? What parts of your life to do you need to reorganize? Do you enjoy cooking but find you're too tired or busy doing other things to cook? Think of ways to make time for the things you enjoy. If you like reading but find you spend your evenings watching TV or scrolling through the internet, consider adding a "reading nook" somewhere in your home so you can do just that.

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