It’s August, folks!

How can that be?

Well, it’s here, so let’s go.

The first week of August is National Simplify Your Life Week.

I’m all about that – but I’m not so clear if this simplification week is the first week of August or the first FULL week of August.

Either way, I’m keeping it simple.

Many people think living a good or productive life is busy, hard, and complicated – which would automatically rule out the possibility of living a simpler life.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

When overscheduling, overworking, overdoing, and over…(insert your own compound word here) takeover your life, that’s a signal that you need and deserve to simplify. It’s also a signal to bring mindfulness and awareness about the ways you are living and operating.

I’ve been sucked into the overdoing pace of living before and it was not fun, nurturing, or fulfilling for me. Everything was moving at such a fast pace that all my experiences were a blur. I missed a lot even though I was doing a whole bunch.

I’m so over that.

I have provided my 5 favorite ways to keep my life simple.

Get rid of junk. Take a look at your work and living space and get rid of things you do not use – and no longer serve you. It can be challenging to part with things because there may be sentimental attachment or you don’t want to feel wasteful. Make peace with your decision to declutter and move forward. Ask for help. A coach or professional organizer can lessen the stress of this task.

Unplug. The internet and all instant communication we have available provides a lot of convenience as well as opportunities for too much information. Take some to to disconnect. Let people know when you will be unavailable and stick to that time slot. The information will still be there when you reconnect.

Rethink your routine. Look at they ways you are spending your time and how you go about doing things. Make sure you are scheduling downtown as well as time to get things done. The body and mind need to refuel, so your downtown is just as important as the other “must do” items.

Stop overcommitting. You do not have to go to everything or be everywhere. When making a decision whether to attend an event or social commitment, ask yourself, “How is attending ______ taking care of myself?” Select a reasonable number of social commitments you will participate in – each week – and stick to this. It is OK to graciously decline an invitation. You do not have to go into a long explanation of why you are choosing not to overcommit. Just say, “Thank you, but I’ve reached my commitment quota for this week.” It’s that simple.

Clear your mind before bed. Create a relaxing bedtime routine that will help you cool down, relax your body, and calm your mind. Keep a small (and I mean small) notebook next to your bed so that you can capture any lingering thoughts before you lie down.

I’d love to hear how you keep things simple in your life. Connect with me here or on Facebook or Twitter.

picture source: Dozenroses13′s Blog