How do you simplify your life

Mtnjac said:
Simplifying my life is a work in process.

As I notice them, I’ve been eliminating many OCD-driven habits. This is a major simplification for me. As an example, I can let a few dishes sit in the sink or not make my bed. I don’t have to return to a room to check on things or even get my mail. I practice chilling.

I’ve given up my mental checklist of daily accomplishments which usually tries to kick back in just as I go to bed. I am even having luck in not scheduling more than one appointment per day leaving me time to do something nice for myself.

I’ve reduced old clothing, personal belongings, extra kitchen implements, even furnishings that I longer need.

Same for relationships that do not serve me and don’t give back.

I let the phone ring or turn off the sound and let the caller leave a message so I talk to them when it’s convenient for me. Text messages, too.

I don’t engage with people who engage in gossip, division or hate.

There’s more, and it feels so good.
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Wonderful list of simplifications, @Mtnjac! Love it!
 
When I started doing TMS work last year, I made this rule to take my little mental checklist per day and cut it at least in half— Even then, it will still usually be too much, but at least it’s a start! lol
 
PainNoMore said:
i've been going through a lot of struggles lately and finally realized it would be helpful for me to simplify. here's my 3 pronged list that's tried and true...for me

be nice to myself
keep the tension down
trust in God
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Yeah, we can get overwhelmed by the resources at times. Still, to indulge is to learn and to indulge more is to embed the knowledge. As with everything though, we have to boil it down to what works for us. You have chosen the top three for me, too!
 
I'll be taking a leaf out of everyone's wonderful replies.

Started my TMS Recovery journey a couple of months ago with the SEP, and with majority of the pain away, I'm still having minor setbacks daily. I'm trying to keep it simple by not having too much to do in a day, and just going with the flow at times.
 
homorobothead said:
I've also started sleeping on my side again and guess what? I slept great and had no neck pain this morning.
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This is interesting -- I always slept on my stomach until my first pregnancy (when I stopped for obvious reasons!). I've had it in my head for a while now that I can't sleep on my stomach because it will hurt my neck. I've been working on it this past week and it feels amazing to trust lying on my stomach again, even if only for short periods.
 
Since I work in academia, I have a long summer holiday coming up. My plan is simple:

- Computer for music only (and to be used sparingly)
- Use phone only for replying to friends and family
- Read novels
- Study foreign language
- Run, walk, cycle, lift (Goggins mode)
- Maintain regular sleep pattern

if July goes well, I'm gonna try and socialise in August.
 
How I simplified my life. BOUNDARIES. I have an over developed sense of responsibility from the childhood experience of being parentified. I have felt responsible for the wellbeing of everyone in my life. I read a book called Boundary Boss by Terri Cole and took a real hard look at my life and released the fear and anxiety I had around loved ones being "OK". I don't have to take care of everyone, and I definitely don't have to put myself aside anymore. I come first.
 
as a high achiever with adhd and ocd this is so hard! i expect so much out of myself, it's completely unrealistic!!

but try we must....
- reduce stuff (less to clean and manage)
- reduce time on screens
- minimal news intake (you're really not missing anything. if something big happens, someone will tell you)
- minimize social media
- minimize advertisements (this makes the cleaning portion of life much easier!)
- schedule rest days in advance in your calendar and actually protect them
- set boundaries. this simplifies everything!
- for me, prioritize family and friends
- embrace the current season of life (mom of 2 under 2, so i focus on being a full time, present mom. this means I've stopped other activities (volunteering, extra events, sports, etc) to make more space in my life
 
Zaylou said:
as a high achiever with adhd and ocd this is so hard! i expect so much out of myself, it's completely unrealistic!!

but try we must....
- reduce stuff (less to clean and manage)
- reduce time on screens
- minimal news intake (you're really not missing anything. if something big happens, someone will tell you)
- minimize social media
- minimize advertisements (this makes the cleaning portion of life much easier!)
- schedule rest days in advance in your calendar and actually protect them
- set boundaries. this simplifies everything!
- for me, prioritize family and friends
- embrace the current season of life (mom of 2 under 2, so i focus on being a full time, present mom. this means I've stopped other activities (volunteering, extra events, sports, etc) to make more space in my life
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Wow - thanks for that !!
embrace the current season of life (mom of 2 under 2, so i focus on being a full time, present mom. this means I've stopped other activities (volunteering, extra events, sports, etc) to make more space in my life
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=> the hardest part for me, and so inspiring for me too... with 2 little kids :)
 
ChronicVince said:
Wow - thanks for that !!

=> the hardest part for me, and so inspiring for me too... with 2 little kids :)
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It is so hard! I so treasure every season we are in while also grieving the past seasons because I know we can never go back! But that helps me to remain more present with the kids.

We've had to focus as a family on keeping the activities that fill us up and give us life, and that we can do all together.. or with one parent to give the other parent a break. We've dropped things like volunteering even though we find it very valuable to instead focus on things like going to the playground with friends while my husband is at work, my husband taking the kids to the gym daycare while he works out so I can get a break, spending time with extended family, Etc. It helps if I remind myself that we won't be in this season forever and in the future I can bring back the other activities that I miss (like soap making!) as the kids become more independent.

What are your kids ages? I have a 19 month old and a one and a half month old. The toddler years need to come with a warning label! They are adorable, hilarious, and absolute chaos!
 
Mtnjac said:
As I notice them, I’ve been eliminating many OCD-driven habits. This is a major simplification for me. As an example, I can let a few dishes sit in the sink or not make my bed. I don’t have to return to a room to check on things or even get my mail. I practice chilling.
Click to expand...
I love this! I'm glad you brought it up. I hadn't thought of this as simplifying, but it definitely is! I've been working on this as well with my therapist.. trying to not use a new washcloth every time I wash my toddler's hands and not losing it when my husband stacks the diapers the "wrong" way in the diaper caddy 🤪
 
ChronicVince said:
Reducing time calculating and optimising money, like comparing pricing on Internet and stores for hours... => prioritizing my energy & peacefulness
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Oh man I do this too! I think it is also an ADHD hyper fixation and OCD thing.. which might be a TMS thing? Great idea of a super practical thing to simplify. I'm going to have to give it a try.
 
ChronicVince said:
But I struggle to really put them into practice. It's like I forgot them, and dive inside with excitment and a lot of raisons/excuses... and if I don't do it, I ruminate, thinking of it...
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... and I do this too! It's very frustrating. It's hard to let myself off the hook when I don't meet my expectations. But my expectations are completely unrealistic and probably can't be met by anyone.
 
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