Many of us get caught up in the stress of everyday life. Between working late, family obligations, and mile-long to-do lists, many of us don't leave ourselves any time for doing the things we want to do leaving us drained and over-extended. That's why we asked life coach Madison Hedlund for her tips to achieving a simpler, cleaner, more balanced life one day at a time. Hedlund recommends sprinkling these tips into your life rather than diving right in since big, radical change rarely lasts.
1. Disconnect each day
Whether you do this by watching one less TV show or define a time you stop checking e-mail each night, it's important to have time where you aren't connected.
2. Eat mindfully
Figure out what makes your body feel good. Be aware of what you consume and why you consume it. Are you eating because you're hungry or because you're bored?
3. De-clutter
For Hedlund this meant getting rid of physical clutter, which in turn allowed her to feel less cluttered emotionally. "If your house is a wreck or your inbox, to me that could be a good indicator that your life may not be together," she says.
4. Keep valuable relationships
Evaluate situations to see if they're in line with who you are or who you want to be, if not, shift your way out of the relationship.
5. Define your non-negotiables
Examples: getting 9 hours of sleep a night, being active for at least 1 hour a day or eating a healthy lunch each day. "You want to be at your thriving level versus just surviving," she says.
6. Be in tune with yourself
Choose 3 things and try to get to them every day. "It can be overwhelming when you have 5 hours of to-do's. Instead, make your list: meditate for 10 minutes or read a book for 15 minutes. Starting somewhere is key," she says.
7. Start a journal
This is a good way to check in with yourself. Hedlund recommends being radically honest, "You need to have that place where you're not afraid people are going to read it. We all have negative emotions that we need to release."
8. Be in financial control
Overcome fears around money and don't avoid it. Whether it's paying off your credit card each month or setting a budget for yourself, you need to know where you stand.
9. Don't overextend yourself
Only say yes to things that are emphatically, "Yes!" According to our life coach, "Saying 'yes' to things half-heartedly can lead to resentment and disappointment because you're going to drop the ball or participate in something you don't want to."
Looking for more ideas? Watch how to make a sticky-note calendar that will help you stay organized: