There never seem to be enough hours in a day. Sometimes you can’t even remember the last time you laughed or simply enjoyed a moment of doing nothing at all.

    Ever in your car at a stoplight and glance over at the car next to you and everyone in the car looks so happy? You know that feeling of heartache when you wonder how you got to the point you’re at — tired, overwhelmed and frustrated? Perhaps you want to slow things down so you can find your center again. Maybe you want to feel energized or as if you matter in some personally fulfilling and validating way. Is your life lacking purpose, authenticity and balance? You can rediscover your anchor and get off the fast track to nowhere. Simplifying your life doesn’t require kickboxing, feng shui, moving off the grid or quitting your job.

    It’s inevitable that life is going to happen. There are going to be circumstances beyond your control, but you do have control over many aspects of your life. It’s all about identifying, prioritizing and making choices. You can eliminate the excess to find some time for what matters to you. Many of these choices and decisions take little effort.

    SHED A COMMITMENT: Are you buried in obligations that you dread? Take a hard look at your commitments and let go of a single activity that isn’t necessary. Consider whether there are more activities you can limit or relinquish, and decide what obligations are past their useful purpose in your life.

    PURGE CLUTTER: Scale down and get rid of what you don’t need. How much time and energy is your “stuff” robbing from you? You don’t have to purge your entire home in a day. Start out with a decluttering project, such as clearing drawers or closets, first. Then set up a plan to remove clutter room by room. Ask yourself which items have true value.

    SAY NO MORE OFTEN: Create boundaries for yourself. It’s OK to say no. People are going to take however much you’re willing to give. Don’t apologize for it. Send out a strong message to others that you know your priorities and your time is important.

    SAY YES MORE OFTEN:Be spontaneous and remain open to new experiences. Stretch outside your comfort zone.

    CONNECT: Make time for friends and family. How long have you been simply too busy? Whether it’s a handwritten note, phone call or lunch, reach out because you need your tribe. Ask for help when you need it, too.

    DO SOMETHING YOU LOVE: Learn a new skill, or simply spend time doing activities you enjoy or are passionate about. Simplifying isn’t merely about getting rid of things. It’s about prioritizing your values.

    DEVELOP ROUTINES: Routines can help you streamline your day. Managing your time wisely gives you free time for what you value most. Evaluate your current system of doing common tasks. See how you can improve your systems.

    LIMIT YOUR PLUGGED-IN TIME: Turn it off. Limit television, cell phones and computers. You don’t have to be plugged in 24/7. You’ll be amazed how much pressure stems from these sources.

    BE MINDFUL AND GRATEFUL: Take some time to savor your food, enjoy your own backyard, read a book or just take everything in. Do whatever it takes to be in the moment. Give yourself the luxury of time alone. Appreciate and be thankful for what you have.

    我們總覺得每天時間不夠花。有時你甚至記不住自己最后一次笑或是沉在無所事事之中是什么時候。

    你可曾在車里等紅綠燈的時候瞥見旁邊車輛里的每個人都很開心？當你疑惑著自己為何會處于現在這種疲乏、不知所措、沮喪的狀態時，你是否會感覺到心痛？也許你想要放慢腳步，因為那樣你可以找到原點。也許你想讓自己充滿活力或者看上去是在實實在在地工作。你的生活是否缺乏目標、真實性與平衡？你可以重新找到起航點，離開那條快速卻又沒有終點的軌跡。使生活變簡單并不要求你會跆拳道、懂風水或是辭職。

    生活總是要繼續。你不免會遇到自己掌控不了的狀況，但你不得不克服。這就要靠你去辨別、區分事物優先次序并且作出選擇。你可以通過剔除額外事省下時間做對自己重要的事。而你只需花一點點功夫就能做出這些選擇和決定。

    拋棄一項承諾：你是否被埋沒在你所恐懼的義務之中？回顧下你所許下的承諾，拋下一件對你而言并不重要的事。想一想，你是否可以限制、拋棄更多的事，再決定有哪些責任對你的人生至關重要。

    清除混亂：按比例縮小甚至放棄對你而言無疑義的事。你的工作剝奪了你多少時間與精力？你不需要在一天內整理完整個房屋。首先，你的目標就是把房間理理整齊；所以你可以先整理抽屜或是壁櫥；然后，計劃一個個房間挨個地整理。試問自己哪件事是實實在在有價值的。

    多說“不”：要為自己劃分界線。說“不”是沒問題的。人永遠不會嫌自己拿得多。別為此抱歉。你得言辭激烈地告訴別人你的時間很寶貴，你有重要事要忙。

    多說“是”：要主動接受新的經歷，對此保持歡迎的態度。擴大自己的舒適區。

    聯系：為朋友、家庭留下時間。你忙了多久了？不論是手寫留言、電話還是午餐，你都應該通過這些方式與別人多聯系，因為你需要有自己的部落。需要幫助的時候，你也可以尋求援助。

    做自己喜歡做的事：學一項新技能，抑或花點時間做自己喜歡做的事。簡單生活并不代表你要一味地拋棄，而是學會處理最具價值的事務。

    養成慣例：慣例可以使你的每日生活變得流暢。理智地支配時間能夠幫助你騰出時間做有意義的事。自己評價一下現在處理平常事務的方式，觀察一下那里可以改進。

    限制緊張狀態：關掉電視、手機和電腦。你沒必要一星期每天24小時地處于緊張狀態。你會很驚異地發現，這些東西給你帶來了多大的壓力。

    多留心、多感激：品味你吃的菜，在自家后院享受自然，看書等等。做一切你覺得享受的事。讓自己體味時間的華麗。感激自己所擁有的。