With the holidays in full swing, joy and cheer may not be the only prominent feelings this season—there's likely some stress lurking about as well. Whether you're worried about upcoming family gatherings, concerned about job security in the new year, distressed over ever-changing friendship dynamics or facing another difficult circumstance, it may be time to take a step back and ask yourself one specific question. But first, you have to get into the right mindset.Parade aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.Shira Gill, author of Lifestyled (published earlier this month), is focused on bringing the principles of minimalism to individuals' actual lifestyles—not just thinking of minimalism in terms of home decor. Then, if you're feeling overwhelmed about something, you'll be in the right headspace to ask yourself a question that will help lessen the burden ASAP. Gill walks Parade through her own journey and shares some of her top tips and tricks—including her favorite "15 minute wins" and why they work.Related: The One Thing Women Over 50 Should Do Every Day, According to Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab
Adopting a Minimalistic Lifestyle
"After 15 years as a home organizing expert, my house was in great shape, but my life and calendar felt cluttered and overstuffed," Gill tells Parade. "Somehow, I’d managed to meticulously edit every drawer and closet while neglecting to apply the same clarity of purpose to my schedule, priorities, and social plans. Everywhere I turned—friends, clients, colleagues—people were telling me the same thing: too much stuff, too many commitments, too little time. It wasn’t just me; we were all stuck in this endless loop of too much."Suddenly, it clicked for Gill—she had the tools and experience to solve this.
Courtesy Shira Gill
"That’s when I had a lightbulb moment: What if minimalism—the art of being radically intentional—could extend beyond our physical spaces?" she says. "To me, minimalism means clarifying what you care about most and cutting the clutter and distractions that stand in the way. What if we could apply those same principles not just to our homes but to every area of our lives—health, relationships, career, finances, even mindset?"So, Gill spent a year "ruthlessly editing" aspects of her life—including her calendar, to-do lists, belief systems and relationships (calling parts of the process "messy, awkward, uncomfortable and liberating"). "That journey inspired my book, LifeStyled, where I share everything I learned about simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters," she explains. "My hope is that readers will use these tools to break free from reactive survival mode, clear the noise, and intentionally create a life they love."
One significant piece of intentionally creating a life you love? Looking out for signs that you're starting to feel anxious or overloaded, and then deliberately sitting down with your thoughts to help get yourself "unstuck."According to Gill, this is the most important question to ask when you're feeling overwhelmed: "Do I need to adjust volume, create a new system, or shift my habits?" Related: 6 Genius Ways to Overcome Self-Doubt, According to 'Worthy' Author Jamie Kern LimaWhat To Do Next
"The next step is taking focused action based on your answer," Gill tells Parade. By narrowing down the issue, you can more easily zero in on a solution as well. She explains:
If it’s a volume issue: "Start saying no to new commitments, delegate tasks, or start letting go of clutter or excess."If it’s a systems issue: "Look for tools or processes to simplify. For example, a shared digital calendar can streamline family scheduling, or a meal prep routine can reduce weeknight chaos."If it’s a habit issue: "Choose one habit to change, and start very small. Use habit-tracking apps or set reminders to stay consistent."According to Gill, "The key is to focus on one area at a time so you can be consistent instead of trying to tackle everything at once."This is also a great time to utilize what she calls "15-minute wins."Related: 'I've Been Into Self-Improvement for Over 15 Years and This Is the #1 Thing That's Transformed My Growth Journey the Most'
When it comes to 15-minute wins, there are a couple, in particular, that give Gill the biggest sense of personal accomplishment."I love a quick fridge refresh—it’s such a satisfying way to bring instant order to a chaotic space," she tells Parade. "I also lean on the 15-minute win strategy whenever I need to tackle a dreaded task, like paying bills, filling out forms or running an annoying errand."Curious about how to adopt this strategy yourself? Here's how it works."Set a timer on your phone for 15 minutes, and commit to giving the task your full focus," Gill explains. "Knowing it will be over soon helps push past procrastination and paralysis. It’s a simple but powerful way to get out of overwhelm and into action—and these dreaded chores never take as long as we think."
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Source
Shira Gill, author of Lifestyled, globally recognized home organizing expert, speaker, coach, and content creator with a less-is-more philosophy. Over the past decade, she has helped thousands of people around the world reduce clutter and create more space for what matters. Shira’s books center around the intimate relationship between people’s homes and lives and how they inform and inspire each other. Read More Details
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