外刊阅读 | 卫报 | 当生活变得混乱时，少即是多！

Your inner voice can open up huge possibilities for change and growth, but it can be strangely hard to hear it.

你内心的声音可以为改变和成长带来巨大的可能性，但奇怪的是，很难听得到它。

When Life Feels Chaotic, Less Is More

当生活变得混乱时，少即是多

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In these divisive political times, it’s easy to get swept up in the chaos—scrolling through negative social media posts, clashing with bickering relatives, and keeping up with nonstop news alerts. When the feeling of pandemonium takes over, our instinct is often to try to regain control through sweeping personal change.We’ll jump in with grand plans to overhaul our routines, transform our homes, or tackle every to-do we’ve neglected. But inevitably, when the enthusiasm fades, anxiety spirals further, or real life gets in the way, our plans fall apart.

When we’re overwhelmed, our mental bandwidth is limited, and ambitious plans become just one more thing to manage. That’s where the magic of micro wins comes in. Small, manageable actions that can be completed in minutes. These quick wins might not look impressive or overtly ambitious, but they provide a sense of accomplishment, momentum (even pride?), and gradually shift our environment and mindset, especially during times of mass madness.Here are 5 micro wins designed to be immediately actionable, satisfying, and mood-boosting.

Knock out a loathsome errand.Every to-do list has at least one dreaded item. It could be a phone call you’ve been avoiding, a chore that’s been put off, or an errand that’s just plain annoying. Block off 15 minutes, dive in, and do it. Taking care of that one thing you’ve been avoiding creates a powerful sense of mastery and momentum.

Declutter your home screens.Do not underestimate the toll that digital disorganization can have on your life. Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, causing our senses to work overtime on what is not necessary or important.The clutter on our devices can weigh us down just as much as the paper piles on our desks. Take a few minutes to clean up your home screen on your phone, tablet, and computer. Start by removing apps you don’t use or cause you stress, organizing your files into folders, and updating your wallpaper to something you love to look at. Whether it’s an adorable pet photo, a quote that keeps you going, or a painting that you love, you’ll open that device less begrudgingly if you know there is delight drawing you in.

Dedicate a “power hour” to yourself.Set aside one hour—perhaps every day or every week—for an all-out blitz on any nagging home or life tasks—paying bills, organizing a drawer, or getting through a backlog of emails. Use this hour to complete as much as you can, one task at a time. The “power hour” can become a weekly reset ritual, giving you a boost of motivation and productivity that lasts. I love the “power hour” framing, because it turns daily chores into a game! When we’re all overwhelmed, over-scheduled, and over-exhausted, we need to remind ourselves that play propels us forward.

Journal：Time

Title：When Life Feels Chaotic, Less Is More（ 5 Nov 2024 ）

Category：LifeStyle

Life will always have its storms, both large and small.When Life Feels Chaotic, Less Is More.

生活中总会遇到大大小小的风暴。当生活感到混乱时，少即是多。

Micro wins are your proof that you’re capable, that change is always possible, and that no matter how big the challenges, you’re never without the power to act.

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