How? First, know what is basic for you - since this will differ from person to person. Here are some potential "basics" for you to consider; they're just a start, and please add your own! Use the list that results to see if anything pops out to address:
* Relationships - No actual or threatened violence; respect for personal autonomy; no crazy behavior; no meanness
* Childrearing - Lots of love; real time for family; aspirational values (e.g., help out, be honest, do your job in school); reasonable parental authority
* Job - Getting to work on time; fully competent with core skills; feeling alright with the people around you; having the resources to fulfill responsibilities
* Physical health - Good sleep; veggies, protein, and vitamins; exercise; minimal intoxicants; take care of issues as early as you can
* Mental health - On your own side; stepping back to observe your mind; calming down stress and upsets; take in the good of positive experiences; self-compassion; exercising restraint
* Situations - Take a moment to consider one or more specific situations, such as an ongoing issue with someone in your life or at work, or with your health, career, or finances. Open to listening to the "still small voice inside" that may tell you about a basic thing you could care for better; it may well be something you've known all along.
Now, the second step. Perhaps one or more things have come to mind after you've done the reflection above. Pick one this week and act upon it.
In your mind, getting back to something basic means: giving it your attention; acknowledging in your heart, your emotions, that it's important; committing honestly to it; and making a plan about it.
Out in the world, taking care of something basic means doing something differently. It could be as down-to-earth and modest as not watching TV past 10 pm so you can get to bed at a reasonable time, or flossing your teeth each day, or not interrupting your partner, or getting home from work by 6:00 for dinner with the kids.
Then, third step: Open to appreciating the benefits to you and others of honoring and handling this fundamental thing, whatever it is. Let the felt sense of its rewards, its goodness, keep drawing you toward continuing to take good care of it.
When we take care of the basics, everything else usually takes care of itself.