Hello Everyone,
I hope you’re having a wonderful week and finding little pockets of joy every day. We all want that feeling of having our life together, right? We see the perfectly curated routines online, but let’s be real—sometimes life happens. For me, trying to stick to a rigid schedule usually ends with me giving up entirely. If you read my posts on decluttering, you know I’m all about finding the most efficient path to happiness. It’s about consistency over perfection.
Here are three simple mindset shifts and habits that have helped me feel more organised and less stressed, without having to rearrange my life:
1. The 5-Minute Daily Tidy
You don’t need a huge “Spring Cleaning” session every week. The secret is chipping away at the mess before it becomes a mountain. First things first, pick a moment every day right before you sit down for dinner, or while the kettle boils and dedicate just five minutes to cleaning one small zone. I don’t mean clean the whole house! Focus on hotspots like clearing the kitchen counter, emptying the bathroom bin, or putting away the laundry pile on that chair or bed, in my case. By the end of the week, you realise you’ve spent 35 minutes cleaning in total, but you never felt overwhelmed. The overall atmosphere stays calm, which is a huge win for your mental space.
2. Schedule Your Joy First
We often knock out work, appointments, and chores first, and then try to squeeze in things we actually enjoy. I learned that this backward approach just leads to burnout. Putting your joyful tasks on your schedule first, even if they’re tiny, is way better. This could be 30 minutes reading a book, a walk outside, or simply 15 minutes listening to a podcast or music while you sip your morning coffee. Treat it like an important appointment you can’t miss. You will notice that you won’t feel like you’re constantly “earning” the right to relax. Having something to look forward to fuels the rest of your productive time.
3. Embrace “Good Enough”
This is a tough one for many of us, but perfection is the enemy of progress. Trying to be 100% perfect in every area, be it cooking, cleaning, work, or parenting, is exhausting. Just aim for 80% satisfaction. If a task is 80% done, you can probably move on without overthinking. Ask yourself, does the meal need to be gourmet, or just nourishing? Does the laundry need to be folded perfectly, or just put away? In most cases, “good enough” is perfectly fine. This mindset gives you back your time and energy. It helps you prioritise what truly matters and lets go of the small details that only you will notice.
Remember, living your best life isn’t about having a flawless routine; it’s about being honest about what you can manage and making simple, effective choices every day. What’s one small, simple habit that makes a huge difference in your day-to-day life? Let me know!
