Keeping It Real - Saving & Simplicity

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Focusing on life and what is important.

Let’s face it life gets busy. Between work, housework, driving kids to and from activities, making meals and somewhere, finding a minute for you life is busy.

In all the busy we forget the small things. The things that keep us real, the things that keep us grounded, the things that keep us going when life gets tough.

It is time to be real, to find the silver lining.

What is really important to you? What motivates your everyday? What is your why? What puts a smile on your face after a hard day?

Have you ever listened to the infectious laughter of a child? They don’t care about being judged or what is going on in the world. It is about the here and the now.

It is about focusing on what is important and keeping it real. Listening to the laughter will make you smile, you may even laugh too.

21 ways to keep it real:

1. Be grateful and show it.

Be grateful for the here and the now. Yes, things can always be better, but they can also be worse. Be grateful and show gratitude. Say thank you and express your gratitude to others.

2. Lend a hand.

Two hands are better than one. It takes a village to raise a child. If you see someone needing a bit of help, lend a hand. Even if it is just holding a door open or reaching something off the top shelf in the grocery store. Lend a hand, keep it real we all need a bit of help every once in a while.

3. Leave it better than you found it.

When you leave a playdate or party do you help the host put things away? Do you clean up after you have a picnic in the park or you go camping? We are all busy, but it only takes two seconds to put things away. Don’t leave a mess for someone else to clean up.

You can also leave the world a better place by donating to those in need.

4. Be the bigger person.

In life, there will be people who thrive off bringing people down so they feel better. Float above the noise and choose the higher road. Don’t pay attention to the noise and the drama.

5. It’s okay to make mistakes.

Life is about learning and if we did everything right the first time our existence would be pretty boring. Even wealthy people make mistakes and the smart ones, the ones to invest in admit the mistake and find the solution.

Teaching our children not to be mad when mistakes happen is also important. Yes we can be disappointed, but mistakes mean there is room for growth and learning.

6. Give of your time.

Not everyone can give money, but we all have time. Volunteer at your local soup kitchen, or give a neighbor a helping hand. Make a difference with your time.

7. Actions speak louder than words.

Words are exactly that, words but your actions they make a world of difference. Your actions speak louder than words.

8. Keep learning.

The world is your classroom and there is so much knowledge. It doesn’t matter if you are 19 or 90 years old if you want to learning it find a way.

9. Ask questions.

Don’t be the one that asks the simple questions. Ask the big long wordy questions that gets you the real answers and direction in life.

10. Give it your all.

If you love something or someone give it your all. Find the time to enjoy what you love. Take pride in your accomplishments. Cherish those you love.

11. Surround yourself with people who bring you up.

Life is too short to be dealing with people who constantly knock you down. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, share the same joys as you, people who you enjoy being with.

12. Worry less & enjoy more.

The only thing you gain by worrying is stress, grey hair and wrinkles. That being said this is one of the items on the list I need to work on. Face your fears, make a plan and trust in others.

13. Speak up.

If there is something you don’t like or something you think needs to be heard speak up and be loud.

14. Learn to delegate.

We all have the same 24 hours and we can only do so much. Learning to let go and delegate activities to the rest of the household.

15. Pay attention.

Listen when someone is talking to you. I totally get the multi-tasking mom thing. But sometimes we need to look at and pay attention to the people who are talking to us.

16. Check your attitude at the door.

We all have those days when the office carries over into the evening and a bad day becomes a bad night. Check the attitude at the door and look at all you have to be happy for. You have control of your attitude, feelings and expressions.

17. Stop comparing.

The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence – but is it paid for and are the owners really happy. Stop comparing your life to others. Be happy with who you are and what you have. Celebrate it.

18. Don’t blame others for your mistakes.

If you messed up admit it and move on. If you are late, your late. Don’t bring others down because of an error you made.

19. Roll with it.

You can’t control everything there will be bumps in the road, unexpected bills and expenses. You simply need to accept that there will be ups and downs and you just have to roll with it.

20. Teach compassion & charity.

Charity, compassion and taking care of others is an important skill for children and people to learn. Not everyone in life has been dealt a great hand, taking care of those less fortunate is a wonderful way to give back.

21. Be yourself.

Don’t hide behind the persona of others. Be yourself. Everyone has a gift and a purpose in the world, celebrate yours. If you aren’t happy with your 9-5 or your homelife you have the power to change both. If you want a better job than go after it. If you want to travel than travel. Be true to yourself.