How to Achieve the Less-Stress Lifestyle
The changes we have all experienced this past chaotic year have brought us new realizations about the extent of our workloads related to our lifestyle. We've learned a bit more about balance and leaning into what's important in our lives. There is more emphasis now than ever on self-care, home organization, and creating peaceful spaces in which to live.
However, balance is easier said than achieved. We all strive to live a less-stress life, but ultimately obligations from work, children, and our social schedule can sometimes bubble to a boiling point. I feel the same struggles, and to manage these elements, I have 6 rules put in place to manage the boundaries of business and family life to create a less-stress environment for myself and those around me.
1. Managing Your Messages:
I encourage you to read an email once and respond immediately. If you don't have sufficient time to read your inbox and respond to everything at once, schedule some time in the day to do so and don't read them until then. Ping-ponging back-and-forth from tasks to emails can take your mind away from your daily goals. Fewer distractions from these messages will allow you to be more present and fully focus on the tasks at hand throughout your day.
2. Remember: there are only 12 hours in a day.
If you own your own business or you work full time, consider outsourcing a task or two. Whether making photocopies or doing the laundry, hire someone to do the one chore you despise. This can really take some day-to-day pressures off of you. There is only so much we can accomplish in one day, and outsourcing one or more of these can be not only affordable but also open up extra time in your day to spend with family or on yourself.
3. Get rid of the things that don't serve you.
The more things you have, the more things you have to take care of. I am a big proponent of only keeping things in your home that are either beautiful or useful. Challenge yourself to purge a few items that you haven't used in months that are taking up space each week. I promise you will inherently feel a sense of freedom and breathe easier as you carry out this process and wean down your household items to necessities.
4. Make recreation a priority.
Take a week off and go on a vacation with family...and here's the challenge: no phone. Preplan for this boundary you are setting, and inform your colleagues and clients that you will not be available during these times. It's amazing what a week of unplugging can do to refresh your mind and allow you to return to work with a new perspective.
5. Create a sanctuary for self-care
Create a space in your home just for you to do the favorite thing you love doing. I have created elaborate spaces and home spas in luxury homes, but this concept can apply to every type of home. Even if your room is small, you can create an area where relaxation is your only goal. A cozy throw blanket, quiet music, and a few carefully curated accessories can allow you to take a few minutes to put your mind at ease.
6. A place for everything; everything in its place
Being organized is key to a less-stress lifestyle. I've mentioned my mind for minimalism, and this plays into staying organized. Keeping organized at home with a place for everything ensures you are always prepared for the day. Imagine a morning where you're calm and not searching for that lunchbox or piece of paperwork - life can be much more serene when we create an organizational plan for the items in our home.
Everyone has their own ways of managing life stressors, and keeping these 6 rules in mind has worked for me. When things feel overwhelming, I try to return to this list and apply these rules to the situation at hand...and remember to breathe deeply! What tactics do you employ to achieve a more peaceful lifestyle? I would love to hear from you. Leave your thoughts in the comments.
If you're looking to create a sanctuary in your home -- even if that means redesigning one room at a time, contact me, and we can talk design: kelly@kellymarieinteriordesign