1. On a regular basis, sort out tasks into 1) Easy to Do And Worth a Lot; 2) Hard to Do But Worthwhile; 3) Easy and Fun to Do And Also Worthless; 4) Hard to Do AND Worth Little.

Tasks that fall into the first? Do these as much as humanly possible. Seriously. You might think the people you do these things for don’t deserve it. Don’t notice. Trust me, they do. They may not say anything (and you may eventually need to call them on lack of appreciation), but they notice and it builds bonds. With your loved ones. With yourself. With strangers. Do the little nice things, because why not? It takes almost no effort and the return is tremendous! These include Tucking In Your Little Ones/Saying Good Night, Saying Thank You To Service Workers, Sending Friends Funny Memes, and Making Your Bed. Sometimes even the littlest things take too much energy. Sometimes we just forget. But whenever possible do them! The more you can do, the more relaxed you will be and more able to
handle the tough times.

Tasks that fall into the second? These are what make life worth living. We cannot always do everything, but find ONE thing that means a lot and spend dedicated time to making it happen, even if only for a few minutes a day. Carve your life to fit 1-3 of these (more if you’re really efficient and organized, but otherwise 3 or less). These include Being a Good Partner, Being a Good Parent, World Saving Projects, Launching/Building/Maintaining/Growing a Business, and Developing a Personal Plan for Healthy Living.

Tasks that fall into the third? Second lowest to lowest priority. Yeah, you can do them. No there’s no reason. But sometimes we just feel like it. These include things like Runs to the Grocery Store To Buy Unhealthy But Yummy Snack, Playing On Your Phone, and Watching That Show for the Hundred and Fiftieth Time. It’s really easy to let yourself get sucked up into these things. They provide shallow, instant pleasure. But ultimately won’t do anything for your overall happiness.

Tasks that fall into the final category? Eliminate, unless it brings you joy. Lowest priority. No point wasting breath and energy on things that take up time, but don’t have a return. Use energy towards these tasks deliberately and sparingly.
These things include Fancy Cake Decorating, TikTok videos, Sexy Pictures, and Social Media Posts. Unless you have time and personally enjoy it? Don’t bother. A million other people are doing the same thing. There will be no loss if you don’t.

2.  Follow Your Joy.

Something in life brings you joy.  Name it.  Journal it.  Whatever you need to do.  Perhaps it is your career path.  Your lover.  Your furbabies.  Your children.  Building and creating.  If you’re lucky, it’s something that can make you financially stable– but if it doesn’t, don’t worry!  It’s okay to work a job, just to have it be a job.  It doesn’t have to be your life.

I’m lucky that my life fulfillment happens in my job…and in my own time.  But I’ve also crafted a life to accommodate that.  You may need to make some adjustments as well.  Don’t worry if you don’t get it the first time (I certainly didn’t).  Don’t treat “failed” attempts as lost time, either.  It’s all part of the journey.

3.   Build your tribe.

If you have fun in the middle of a forest, and nobody sees it, did you really have fun?  In all seriousness, life is hard.  It’s much, much easier if you have someone to rely on.  It doesn’t matter whether it’s your lover, your partner, your inner circle friends, or your colleagues.  When you find good people, do your best to keep them close.  Good friends are few and far between.  Don’t throw away your most valuable resource.

4.   Space out.

“But I don’t have time to just take every weekend off!” you say.  That’s fine.  Do a spa treatment once a month.  Or a 3 minute meditation before work.  Whatever fits into your schedule.  I don’t care.  Find time to put aside for yourself, even if it means just sitting down and enjoying tea and toast and jam.

Do it.  And be consistent.  Come up with your schedule of vegging out, relaxing, playing stupid games– and stick to it.  Prioritize it.  When something is important to us, we make time for it.  We just do.  Make you a priority, as well.

5.   Waste not, want not.