What small changes make the biggest difference in mental health? A thoughtful look at gratitude, simplicity, creativity, rest, and being present in everyday life.
The 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule, or Pareto Principle, states that roughly 80% of outcomes (results) come from 20% of causes (inputs).
What 20% of effort creates 80% of the impact? Focus on that.
What 20% of activities lead to 80% of problems? Eliminate or delegate them.
What 20% affects my mental health in a good way?
Gratitude
Being grateful for everything that I have is so important. It is easy to get anxious about the things I don’t have. I thank God for all the wonderful things He has given me: my family, my friends, my work, and all my possessions. When I focus on the things I do have, I see how blessed I am.
Decluttering
Excess leads to anxiety: all the things I need to take care of, keep, clean, put away, and store. It is a “silent to-do list” of all my possessions that demands my time and energy. This is not what I was created for — to serve my possessions. They were potentially created to serve me, and if they don’t do that, they should leave my home. Decluttering is a powerful tool to get your life back and to live with purpose, not just endlessly manage a bunch of stuff.
Being outside
Lately, I have started purposely looking for more activities that I can do outside. I have a tiny garden with a couple of chairs, and on weekends I sit there with a book. If I need to write something, I do it there. I have started bringing my sewing projects outside, and even cooking — if I need to peel a lot of vegetables or do some prep work, sometimes I do it there as well. It is all about the mindset: being intentional and a little creative in finding ways to spend more time outdoors.
Limited Screen Time
This leads me to my next point: limited screen time. When I spend time outside, I don’t watch anything, and sometimes during the whole weekend I watch only a couple of videos. The rest of the time I am doing something different. I am creating something for myself and for my family, not just mindlessly consuming a ton of content.
Being present
Allowing myself to enjoy the moment, to savor and truly experience the day or an activity. It is so easy to get busy and miss out on the most important things.
Going for walks
I try to make time to spend with my family and friends by going for walks together. It is my priority now, and I try to remember that I can put things away for an hour or two and go for a walk instead. I can always come back later and do the things I wanted to do, but if I miss the walk, the sun may go down, it may get too cold or too late, or my friend may not have time later. There are many things that can get in the way. With walking, it should always be “yes,” because “later” usually doesn’t work.
Being creative
I love doing art and sewing projects. It is my personal outlet for the potential and creativity I have in me. It makes me happy and content, and it gives me peace of mind.
What 20% causes my mental health issues?
Too much screen time
When I spend a lot of time watching videos without spending time outside, I feel miserable by the end of the day. It feels like it drains my energy. I feel worse than after a long workday. I try to take breaks from screens and, even on cold winter days, find time to go outside — even if it is just a short walk to a local store to buy some vegetables.
Multitasking
I intentionally stopped multitasking a long time ago. I know that I am more efficient and productive when I focus on one task at a time. I will do it much better and faster than if I try to multitask. For me, multitasking is a fantasy self, but it never really works in real life. I learned this about myself a long time ago, and I have been much more at peace with myself since then.
Busyness
Not allowing myself to do nothing and relax. I can have a long list of things to do, but I still need free time for my sanity and mental health. This is crucial for me, and in return it actually helps me become more productive. Otherwise, my body simply stops working and gets sick. Then I am forced to rest and stay in bed because I don’t feel well. One way or another, my body will get the rest it needs.
These are the things I thought of regarding my mental health and peace of mind. What small things can you do, and what changes can you make to your daily routine to improve your mental health?
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