Ideas for Serenity and Simplicity

Anyone else's life a bit out of control right now? :) If you're anything like me, you've been craving those peaceful moments. Here's a few ideas on how to get the calm back into your life. ​

Be proactive instead of reactive. When we are reactive, we are letting someone else decide what dominates our thoughts and emotions. When life already feels out of control, a feeling of helplessness from being reactive makes it feel worse. When we decide to be proactive, we are taking back our power. It's true that there are a lot of things we can't control, but there are also a lot of things we CAN control! Here's some practical ways to be proactive.

• Identify something minor that bothers you and then fix it. Maybe it's an overstuffed kitchen drawer that needs decluttered or a burned out light bulb that needs changed. Celebrate the small victories! 
• Do a brain dump of "all the things" and then prioritize your tasks. Realize that some things may not get done. Prioritize the important things (and people!) and learn to let the other things go -- at least for now.
• Set a timer or use the alarms on your phone to take charge of your schedule. Leave some time in that schedule for something that makes you smile. 
• Make time for yourself. What can you do to relax or refresh yourself? Take a bath, read a book, do some journaling, or go for a walk outside. Breathe slowly and deeply. 
• Appreciate the little things. In the late afternoon when the sun illuminates the landscape it fills my soul with such joy. Take the time to enjoy those little moments, whatever they are for you. Recently I treated myself to a bright and happy mum for our back deck. It's a small thing but it makes me smile whenever I see it. When we make an effort to be grateful, we are being proactive in controlling our thoughts. It feels good!

Give yourself (and each other) grace. We all have off-days. We all feel like a hot mess sometimes. I have days when I feel sad for no apparent reason or times when I just can't seem to get anything done. The good news is that those days don't last forever. Those days will pass. Tomorrow is a new day!

Find encouragement. As the song goes, "We all need somebody to lean on." If you are struggling, look for a trusted friend, mentor, or therapist to help you walk through this time. Seek out encouraging or inspirational books, music, podcasts, and people to help you along in stressful times. A positive support system and community is so valuable! ​

Wishing you all the best this fall!