It’s not that hard. Or is it?
Is it supposed to be this easy?
…
You see what I did here?
I overcomplicated life for no real reason and I am not the only one who does that.
To be precise, abotaged myself and it’s a very long road until I stop doing that.
The real truth is, the more complicated you make something, the more excuses you create for yourself.
And I did not say that, Eric Greitens actually did. He additionaly says that beginning something new, even when it’s simple, it becomes hard and it makes us afraid – of failure, exposure, shame etc.
That’s why it’s important to remember:
1. You are a work in progress.
That is what you are and don’t run from it. You’re not done and you’ll never be.
And you know what? That’s beautiful and you should embrace it. Basically, you should stop complicating things because you don’t feel good enough to do or try something.
You are good enough.
2. Stop being too materialistic.
I didn’t say you shouldn’t buy yourself nice things. Just don’t think you’re better than anyone because of your posessions. Quality always beats quantity. And it is quite true when Chuck Palahniuk said:
“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”
As you grow older, and hopefully wiser, you’ll learn that if your wealth is only captured through material posessions, you will ironically also learn that it makes your lifestyle complex and that the more doesn’t mean the merrier.
3. Nothing complicates your life quite like unnecesarry debt.
This is pretty self explanatory and really logical. It basically means you should live your life within your means and balance it out. The fun and real life, which often brings you emergiences of sorts.
4. Manage your expectations.
My personal favorite. There is a poet named Buddy Wakefield I like quoting on this one and he says:
“Your expectations of me are not my responsibility. Those are yours.”
And he is far from wrong. Simply because of two reasons:
a) Having unrealistic expectations always inevitebly leads to a broken heart or an empty wallet.
b) Your expectations might provide an illusion of safety in your relationships
5. Cut the toxic people out!
If anything, your expectations will teach you where you want to land in relationships – romantic and business ones.
It’s also true that when you decide to surround yourself with smart, driven and mature people, you’ll become at least their avarege.
Whenever you have the choice, spend time with them and gain insights.
Life is too short to be surrouned by those with toxic tendencies and they will hold you back.
The risk of regrets is too damn high and nobody lives your life except you.
6. Say „no“ without an explanation.
Don’t explain yourself when you decline going to a party because you don’t want to. Your „no“ is a reason good enough not to lead a further discussion. Don’t apologize for it. When you don’t feel like it – you don’t feel like it, simple as that.
Saying “no” to what doesn’t feel right will give you focus and devotion for people and opportunities that will count.
Not only will you be happier, you will also be more present.
It’s possible to do it without yoga, that’s right!
After all, not everything is for everyone and learning what you want to say „no“ to is sometimes more important than knowing when to say „yes“.
7. Give up on the idea of changing people.
Nobody will spend your resources more than people whom you deseperately want to change. Well, news flash…you can’t change people when they don’t want that.
They will not appreciate your efforts or time and you will end up feeling unsuccesful for something that is not your responsibility in the first place. Either accept them and appreciate them for who they are or leave for your own good.
It will save your soul and other resources.
8. Be honest.
Sometimes it’s the hardest thing to do. We’ve all been there. The truth is, life based on dishonesty and pretending weighs you down with problems you wouldn’t have if you clarified for yourself what you want and what you need.
So, really…it’s up to you to decide how you can escape the issue of complicating your life unnecessary.
