The Beauty of the Basics

The Beauty of the Basics

Life moves fast and it does’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. The days are jammed packed with running around, dropping off, picking up, and overly involved with everyone and everything. With all of the chaos of life happening around us, when was the last time you were able to take a step back, breathe, and enjoy the beauty of the basics? Moreover, how can you bring yourself back to the basics of life? Below are five simple tips that will help you reconnect with the basics as you carry on your journey.

1. Don’t be afraid to say “no.”

That’s right, you do not have to say “yes” to everything! As social beings, we are driven to preserve our relationships, so saying “no” might appear very difficult at times. Yet, if you have that gut feeling of being overly booked, tired, and ready to have a quiet night in, do not be afraid to say “no.” This simple act will help you eliminate things from your life that might feel like they are draining even more of your already low energy level.

2. Practice Gratitude

Let’s say you had a bad day. What are some things that you are still grateful for? I bet you can come up with a nice size list! But, don’t wait for a bad day to come around to start practicing this one. At the end of each day, name a minimum of one thing that you have gratitude towards. Not only is this great for helping you reconnect with the basics of life, but research suggests regularly expressing gratitude can significantly increase well-being and life satisfaction.

3. Practice single tasking

Do you find yourself eating lunch, responding to a text, driving, and planning your work day all at once? Ah, yes, the art of multi-tasking! Try to break this habit, even if you are just working on it a few times a week. For example, consider just eating dinner with your family, and nothing else. That’s right, it’s time to even put your phone away here! When things get your full attention, you do them much better. And you can even savor them. Give it a try.

4. Put the screens down

So much of our life is engrossed in technology. There is nothing basic about technology. Even if it’s mindfully just for one hour a day, try to put the screens down. Allow yourself to connect with what is happening in reality and in the present moment.

5. Give yourself permission to relax

This might a source of anxiety for some. You might be thinking: “ how can I relax when I have a million things to do?!” The irony in this is that if you take some time to take care of yourself, you will actually be more productive! Give yourself permission to take care of yourself and let your mind, body, and soul recover so you can continue to be the best version of yourself.

By Danielle Wahl, MA