Whether it is the first day of the new year, the first day of the month, a birthday, or any other arbitrary day, people often make the same resolution – to get their – let’s be blunt – shit together.
Different people mean various things when they say they want to get their shit together. It is about eating healthier and spending less time on the couch for some. For others, It could be getting out of the house more and expanding their social networks.
Regardless of what getting your shit together means to you, you are not alone.
But how do you get your shit together?
How do some people seem to have their shit together effortlessly while others struggle with the most mundane tasks?
And, why does it seem like some people are happy and others are sad, regardless of the perceived success?
Baby steps matter! In fact, often it is the only way out of a dark place.
This article explains 12 baby steps you can take to get your shit together and how you can do so every day of your life, no matter what time of year it is.
Follow these steps for a happier life:
1. Eating Healthily
A healthy diet is crucial to getting your shit together since it helps you stay fit, boosts your energy levels, and reduces stress.
Nowadays, most people know that foods such as pasta and bread are high in calories and low in nutrition.
So if you want to stay healthy and keep your energy levels up, then try eating more fruit and veggies instead.
2. Getting Enough Sleep
How much sleep do you need? Although everyone’s sleep needs are different, most adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Generally, you should aim to get the number of hours of sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and fully awake when you wake up.
If you’re regularly getting less than 6 or more than 10 hours of sleep and feel tired during the day, talk with your doctor. It might indicate an underlying health condition.
Setting a regular bedtime and wake time can help set your body’s “internal clock.” Doing so helps promote better sleep at night.
It’s also vital to stay away from gadgets and create an environment conducive to sleep. A relaxed, dark, and quiet atmosphere can help promote good sleep.
3. Spend Time With Those Who Can Lift You Up
Our daily routines can make us forget about the things that truly matter in life. Your family and friends are often the ones that are always there for you, so they deserve your time and attention.
It is also important to identify people who have a negative impact on you and your mood. In other words, get rid of toxic relationships – sometimes that means avoiding family members who have a negative impact on you.
Set aside time weekly to spend with loved ones, whether it’s a date night with your significant other or a Sunday dinner with your family.
Your life will be enriched when you reconnect with the people who are closest to you. Plus, it can do a lot for your self-confidence because they are always your first cheerleaders.
There’s nothing wrong with looking for professional help! Therapists, counsellors, life coaches are professionally trained to work with you in achieving your goals.
4. Decluttering Your Environment
It’s impossible to get your shit together when the space you live in is… hmmm… full of shit! A cluttered room can induce stress and anxiety, so it’s essential to keep your home or apartment in order.
Put out-of-season clothes, shoes, and accessories into storage. You should dispose of anything you haven’t worn in the last year or plan on wearing. Donate what you don’t need to a local charity or thrift store.
If you’re short on closet space, consider investing in a portable clothing rack or hanging shelves to store excess items. You’ll feel much better knowing that everything has its place.
Start small if you feel overwhelmed by other thoughts of decluttering your space because of the sheer volume of items. Take 20 minutes each day to declutter a small part of your space.
Twenty minutes may seem too small to accomplish anything, but you may be surprised by how much progress you will make in a matter of weeks.
5. Exercising and Working Out
Exercising and working out is a great habit to have. It can help relieve stress, get rid of negative thoughts, and even help you lose weight.
You don’t have to work out every day to get your shit together, but exercising at least 2-3 times a week is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy.
There are many ways to exercise and work out at home without going to the gym. You can walk around your neighbourhood or take a bike ride down the street.
If you want something more intense than walking, try running for about 30 minutes each day. It will give you enough time to get your blood flowing without overworking yourself too much.
Having an exercise routine is crucial because it keeps you motivated and focused on getting better every day of your life. Maintaining an exercise routine will also help you keep track of your progress towards your health goals!
6. Find Something You are Passionate About
Whether it’s your job, a hobby or even just a random activity you like doing, finding your passion is crucial to getting your shit together.
Life is much better when you have something that excites you and makes you happy to get out of bed in the morning.
Additionally, exploring things you are passionate about can help you find your purpose in life. If you’re unsure what to pursue, try something you know you love doing. For example, if you love cooking, consider starting a blog or a YouTube channel.
7. Prioritize
Prioritizing is tricky, especially because so many things need to be done. The best way to prioritize is to write down everything you need to do in order of importance.
In this way, you can determine what needs attention first and wait until later.
8. Stop Procrastinating
Procrastination just adds stress and chaos to your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of things you need to do, focus on tackling one thing at a time. Remember, baby steps matter and will take you further than you may initially think!
9. Be Yourself And Love It
Find what makes you happy and be yourself. This is the simplest tip of all, but it can also be one of the hardest.
You will always be more comfortable in your skin when you are yourself. You will probably have less stress and worry in your life as well!
10. Automate Everything
This step is more about making everything in your life easier. If there’s a way to automate something, so you don’t have to think about it or do it yourself, do it.
Automate your bill payments. My electric company sends me an email every month that my bill is paid automatically through my linked checking account. I hardly worry about forgetting to pay the electric bill, and I don’t have to worry about late fees if I forget.
Set up autopay for credit cards. Even though this may be an option, it may not be the best choice for all. As long as you don’t pay off your credit card bill in full each month, you will still pay interest on it.
However, if you pay off the balance on your credit card monthly, setting up autopay with your credit card company will help you earn rewards points faster and avoid late fees if you fail to pay on time.
The more you can automate the small things, the more time and energy you will have for the big stuff.
11. Take Yourself Out
Even though it sounds odd, it’s crucial. Just take yourself out and have fun. The act of getting ready for an evening out (even if it’s just to the grocery store) is therapeutic. Shower, put on a nice outfit, fix your hair, and give yourself some semblance of looking good.
There’s no need to go anywhere fancy or even go out at all – just going to the grocery store in a nice outfit can make you feel like a million bucks.
It gives you confidence, and you may be surprised at the positive effect on your social life.
12. Stay Positive
Be positive and have a great mindset. Only surround yourself with upbeat people. Also, get rid of the negative people in your life. Life is too short to be unhappy.
Do what makes you happy and follow your dreams. Life is short, and you never know when it will end, so don’t waste your time not doing what you want to do.
Love yourself and love who you are as a person. Don’t be afraid about being who you are, and don’t worry about what others think of you.
Final Thoughts on Getting Your Shit Together
Though these steps seem simplistic, they can change the way you look at your life forever. Change and growth are essential to get your shit together.
Remember that this is a long-term goal, so take it one step at a time. Set realistic expectations and commit to them.
Feeling motivated already?
I hope my article has given you some motivation.
Need extra help?
Life coaching for men can help you take the next step towards getting your shit together and your life back on track!
