In past Tune-Ups I have mentioned looking at each part of your life separately to notice which areas need attention. This is an ideal way to begin the simplifying process because approaching your whole life at once can be overwhelming, especially when things are feeling very complicated and burdened.

  

Start with a piece of paper,  jotting down the following aspects of life:

• My health
• My physical environment (my home)
• My finances
• My work
• My family
• My friendships
• My romance/significant other
• My spiritual/personal growth 
• My fun and recreation

Now spend some time thinking about each of these areas of your life. When you start to think about a particular area - let's say Finances, do you sigh a little? Do your shoulders tense up? These are bodily signs that you have some feeling of burden in this area. For each area of life, allow yourself to notice those burdens; those places that feel very heavy or stuck.

 

So you have burdens - we all do. What to do about them? One way to start the lightening up process is to try a little daydreaming. Take a particular area of life, and set aside some time to imagine what it would be like if this thing or situation was not plaguing you. Just imagine the tension magically melting away. Conjure up the feeling of freedom that you would experience if this problem was resolved. Giving yourself a good mental image of a simpler more enjoyable life can be a great motivator. 

 

The next step is the most effective and exciting part of the process.

It is simply this: Be thoughtful, consider all the factors, but -

  

     Take A Risk!

 

When we have areas of life weighing us down, whether it's too much physical stuff taking up our living space, a relationship that is stuck in a heavy and difficult pattern, or a work situation that seems to be worsening;

 

Sometimes the only way to lighten our load is to put a laser-like focus on what we have control over, and then take a new and unique action, even if that is scary to do.

 

The action you take is up to you. It could be big or small - it could be selling something to pay off debt, it could be having a frank conversation you have been putting off, or it could be deciding once and for all to never stay at work past 5pm again. Yes, these actions involve risk and they may or may not turn out just the way you expect.

 

But, endeavoring to simplify and lighten up is more than just a worthy exercise. The freedom you can experience in making these choices is immeasurable, and your life, now a little more feather-like, will thank you!