Simplifying Life To Reduce Stress And Increase Productivity

Do I live by rules? Oh yes!

I believe so because, while I certainly embrace a free and flexible lifestyle, many of my actions are guided by specific rules and guidelines that I establish whenever I learn a lesson. I tend to be the kind of person who pauses to reflect on what went wrong when faced with a setback, analysing why it happened and how I can adjust to prevent it from happening again.

I find great fulfilment in living a purposeful life—a feeling that emerges whenever I complete a task, achieve a goal, or help someone who appreciates my efforts in return. Therefore, I would say my lifestyle revolves around these elements that contribute to my sense of fulfilment.

Actually, rules and guidelines can be difficult to implement, especially when they stem from our desires rather than the lessons learnt from experiences. However, since they play a significant role in our lives, it's important to practice self-discipline regarding the rules and guidelines we set.

Mine are actually quite simple, and here they are:

Time management and productivity: I began focusing on time management when I realised that 24 hours a day is no longer enough for me. It felt more than enough when I was a kid, but now that I’m in control of my life, I have limited time to attend lectures, study, complete household chores, and write. This is where my next rule comes in...Living by minimalism:

This concept simply means simplifying life to reduce stress and increase productivity.

Juggling too many responsibilities often leads to more stress and less productivity; some people can feel burnt out without actually achieving anything meaningful. I used to be like this, but over time, I had to evaluate the factors complicating my day and hindering my productivity. The first thing I noticed was the quality of time I spent on social media. Social media was my biggest distraction, back then, I loved chatting and scrolling through TikTok and Facebook videos, which was often time-consuming.
Another thing I love to do is decluttering my physical space and distancing myself from people who don’t care about my success, focusing instead on those who do, so I can reciprocate their support properly.

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Another way I find purpose and fulfilment is by being kind to others. As I often say, people are diverse beings; they think and perceive things differently. To live in harmony, it's best to treat them as they wish to be treated.

I have a neighbour who prefers not to be greeted more than once throughout the morning, afternoon, or night. Unfortunately, I'm accustomed to greeting people whenever I pass by, so I’ve had to adjust for her since she’s elderly, and I wouldn’t want to irritate her. Conversely, I’ve also met individuals who greatly appreciate greetings and recognition, so I make sure to offer that to them. I love to treat people the way they want to be treated, as long as it doesn’t negatively affect me.

Family: My family comes first in everything I do. They are my support system, and with them, I feel loved, cared for, and comfortable. I strive to be supportive and not neglect my responsibilities. Maintaining a good relationship with them brings me happiness and balance.

I also try to live in the moment. Yesterday is gone, today is here, and tomorrow will come. I love to be realistic and enjoy every moment of my life. I also strive to maintain a positive perspective on life's struggles by believing that everything will eventually come to an end—stressful nights of studying, long hours of lectures, and the daily stresses I encounter.

All these aspects are interconnected; I pay close attention to them because they play a major role in shaping who I am and who I will become. They consist of the simple things I do every day, and they are what make my life feel interesting, purposeful, and well-lived.

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Thank you so much for reading me...

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_{I took all images with my phone.}