How to Slow Down and Simplify Your LifeSample

Examine Your Priorities

Imagine you had a list in front of you of the most important things in your life. Family, friendships, personal health, and your relationship with God are probably near the top of your list, right?

Now, imagine you had a second list, showing what actually gets most of your limited time and energy. How similar would the two lists look?

If you’re like most people, work, chores, and meeting the needs of people who rely on you take up most of your time. That’s not a criticism—it’s just a reality. Few people can quit their jobs to spend all their time with family and friends. And we can’t simply stop doing laundry or washing dishes.

So, what’s the solution? How do we fight for what matters most while still meeting all the other legitimate daily demands? First, look for ways to make small changes in the right direction.

If your family is one of the most important parts of your life, prioritize paying attention to them when you’re together. Avoid letting your mind wander to less important things such as a comment from a coworker, unfinished tasks, or your social media feed. Instead, put down your devices, establish eye contact, listen, and share from the heart.

And if your relationship with God is one of the most important parts of your life, then prioritize regular windows of time for prayer, reading the Bible, and attending church. Put these keys to spiritual growth on your calendar and protect them from less important pursuits that can otherwise sneakily take over every available moment.

As you prioritize what matters most, consider how you might reduce the time you spend doing things that don’t really matter in the long term, or are the opposite of what you really want. Maybe you feel tired all the time because you don’t prioritize sleep over entertainment. Or you may need to seek help from a counselor, pastor, or friend to overcome an addiction.

We can’t simplify our lives overnight, but we can take daily steps to fight for simplicity. And as we do, our lives will gradually become more closely centered around what matters most.

Pray: Dear God, please help me to discern what truly matters most and to focus more on that. Help me find ways to begin reorganizing my life to prioritize the right things and reduce needless distractions. Help my life bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Consider making a list of the top five most important things in your life. They might be people, dreams, or habits. Then, look for some achievable ways you can give additional attention to those areas of your life.