Ways to add Balance and Simplify

 Ways to add Balance and Simplify

• Take twenty minutes every few days to turn up the music and dance with your kids.  (cardio and play time all at once)
• Only touch your mail once.  Pick a time of day that you can spend going through it, and file it, toss it or deal with it.
• When you make dinner double the recipe and freeze half of it for a later date.
• Commit to five minutes a day to do your make-up.  Seriously that is all you need.
• Know what you are going to have for dinner by noon everyday.
• Create a menu plan each week before grocery shopping (saves $, time & energy)
• Make your kids laugh at least once a day.  Not just a giggle, but a full belly laugh. 
• Find something you love to do, and just do it. 
• Try to go to bed with a clean kitchen.  You’ll thank yourself in the morning!
• Make packed lunches the night before (include am & pm healthy snacks)
• Stop doing what you no longer find joy in (if it doesn’t add to your life, let it go)
• Clean up the bathroom counter after getting ready each morning
• Sing while you cook.  Even if your husband laughs, it will be one of your children’s favorite memories.
• Light a scented candle each evening
• Eat dinner as a family (or with close friends) a few nights a week. 
• Have a weekly/monthly date night with your husband.  Even if you can’t leave the house, set aside one night a week for each other with something planned.  It could even be a picnic and movie on your living room floor.
• Allow yourself imperfections.  Then except them.  Then embrace them.
• Make the bed every morning, even if it’s just pulling the sheets and blankets up & neatly stacking the pillows
• Have your children set out their clothes & shoes for the next day before bed
• Unload the dishwasher (take 5 extra mins in the morning to do so before work – you’ll be thankful that evening!)
• Make time for the people in your life that mean something to you, listen, and just be together
• Take 15 mins out of your nightly tv time and tidy up a bit
• Fold laundry while you watch tv
• Plan quarterly night out with your girlfriends
• Sit and listen to how your loved ones’ day went when they (or you) arrive home.
• Put all bags, backpacks, keys, etc near the door for the morning

How do you find balance in your life?  Please leave a comment… I know you want too! ~Mara