Sometimes this whole 'adulthood' thing can be a bit overwhelming, can't it?
It's not always easy being a grown-up. So I've decided to share twelve tips I've learned over the years which help me navigate this minefield called 'life' and make me feel like I've got my shit together (most of the time, anyway). They're not all fun and some might take a bit of getting used to, but they'll definitely help you to get your life in order and feel like somewhat of an adult.
1. Plan and schedule your blog posts.
Haha. I may need to take my own advice on this one as I haven't posted on this blog since last December, but if you're serious about blogging, you should probably at least have a rough idea of when you want to post and set time aside accordingly to plan and write your content.
2. Write to-do lists.
I'm a huge fan of lists and write them almost every day. Stuff I need to do for work, things I want to get done on my day off, shopping lists, blog posts I want to write...you name it, I've probably got a list for it. It helps me a lot to get things out of my head and down onto paper in some kind of logical order, otherwise I start feeling overwhelmed with trying to remember everything. The best thing about lists, though, is the satisfaction of crossing each task off as you complete it.
3. Cook more meals from scratch.
Stop eating out and ordering in so much. It'll be easier on both your wallet and your waistline. If you haven't got time to cook dinner every night, try prepping your meals on a Sunday for the coming week. Or just double the quantity next time you make a recipe and freeze half of it to heat up on a day when you're too tired to make something from scratch.
4. Declutter your living space.
I had to include this one, didn't I? Being a minimalist and all, I really hate clutter. Any at all. You don't have to go to that extreme, but having a big clear-out is so satisfying and will give you more space, less stress and help you to feel more in control of your life.
5. Spend 10-15 minutes a day tidying up.
To make your house look more organised, start putting things away as soon as you've finished using them and spend about quarter of an hour every evening tidying up any mess from the day (this will be a lot easier after you've decluttered). If you don't do anything else, get into the habit of making your bed as soon as you step out of it. This small act will make your whole bedroom look tidier and it's a lot more pleasant getting into a nicely made bed than a messy, crumpled one. I'd also recommend scheduling one day a week to clean the house and it should never get out of hand.
6. Make a budget.
Setting a budget (and sticking to it) is a great way to stop yourself impulse buying and overspending. The best way to do this is to track your spending for a few months to see where your money's going - you'll be able to see what you're wasting money on and what you can cut back on. Write down your long- and short-term financial goals and work out how much you need to save each month to achieve them.
7. Get into a workout routine.
You don't have to go to the gym if that's not your thing, but try to start a habit of exercising at least three times a week. Whether it's going for a ten-minute walk or a ten-mile run, just moving will make you feel so much better.
8. Throw out expired make-up and clean your brushes.
Old make-up is really not good for you; it carries bacteria which can lead to infections and skin issues. As a general rule, you can keep mascara for about three months, lipstick around a year, liquid foundation a year and powders for up to two years. Get rid of anything you've had for longer and try to wash your brushes about once a week.
9. Limit social media/Netflix time.
This one's a lot easier said than done, I know. It's so tempting just to binge watch your favourite shows or spend the evening scrolling through Instagram after a long day. But you'd probably be shocked at just how much time you waste on these activities - time you could be using to work on yourself by cooking fresh meals, tidying your house, going to the gym, replying to emails, working on your blog or even just reading a book.
10. Set up direct debits for regular expenses.
If you have bills that need to be paid monthly such as rent, electricity and car insurance, eliminate the stress of remembering to pay them on time by setting up direct debits. They'll come out of your bank account automatically and it'll be one less thing for you to think about each month.
11. Get your car serviced once a year.
It's not that expensive and it'll save you a huge amount of money and hassle in the long run. Keeping your car in good condition is the best way to minimise the risk of a breakdown. Get it done just before the winter hits - you don't want to end up stranded in the middle of nowhere when it's freezing cold outside. And make sure your petrol is always topped up!
12. Stop procrastinating.
We're all guilty of it and, in fact, I decided to add this one after spending most of the time I was supposed to be writing this post on Twitter and YouTube (maybe I need to re-read point #9). You can get so much done when you focus on just one thing and eliminate distractions.
As you can probably see, most of these just involve planning ahead and cultivating good habits. It's really just a matter of organisation and good time management.
Do you have any top tips or things you do that make you feel like you've got your life together? Share them in the comments!
