Sometimes adulting is the last thing you feel like doing. You aren’t the only one, though. No matter your age, everyone needs a day off from being responsible, grown up, and in-charge.

The key to adulting is to be proactive, as much as possible, instead of reactive. That way you can set things up, so you can take the odd day off and do whatever the heck you want (the ultimate adulting move!).

15 Ways to Make Adulting Seem Like a Snap

1. Open a Second Bank Account – Saving for a rainy day (or when the roof starts leaking) is key to being a responsible adult. Make saving easier for yourself by setting up automatic deposits in a separate long-term savings account.

2. Learn How to Make Cocktails – While there’s nothing wrong with wine out of a box, discover how to mix up cocktails for your next special get-together.

3. Perfect Several Recipes – By the same token, you don’t have to cook every night, but do learn how to perfect a handful of recipes that you can whip out to impress.

4. Be Like MacGyver – The motto of anyone who is crushing, is always be prepared. While you can’t plan for everything, planning makes most things go more smoothly.

5. Invest in and Take Care of Your Cast Iron – Not only is cast iron better than other types of cooking vessels, but it’s durable and will last you a lifetime.

6. Buy in Bulk – Buying in bulk can be a more economical, efficient, and environmentally-friendly choice. But don’t go crazy and end up with rancid grains or so much Beef-a-reeno you’ve got a farting horse.

7. Expand Personal Growth with a Journal – Journaling can be a fantastic tool to help you grow and learn how to be a healthier, happier, and more mature you.

8. Stop Wasting Money on Stuff You Don’t Need – Make a commitment to create and follow a budget to curb wasteful spending. Not only can it help you save money, but having less stuff to manage can save you time and energy.

9. Learn to Sew/Visit the Tailor – Life is too short to live in clothes that don’t fit well. Take your clothing items to the tailor, or learn to sew and DIY.

10. Invest in Good Quality Items – Choose to buy less, but don’t sacrifice quality. Those who adult well know that spending a little bit more can often be the better choice.

11. Listen/Read at Least One Book a Month – We get it, you are busy. We all are, but being a well-rounded and knowledgeable person is important. It also makes you more interesting to talk to at parties and can leave you feeling less stressed.

12. Visit a Financial Advisor – Don’t know how to save or what do once you have saved some money? Don’t worry, most of us don’t.

13. Learn How to Deal with Conflict – One of the best things you can do for yourself and others is learn how to deal confidently with conflict.

14. Start Your Day with Purpose – Realize the power and clarity of starting each day with purpose and intention. Don’t live your life as someone who is reactive, but instead be proactive.

15. Spontaneity – Recognize that adulting does not mean you must sacrifice spontaneity. Sometimes life calls for being spontaneous. Lean into it.

Related on EcoSalon

Play These 5 Games for Adults to Stay Sharp and Stress-Free
7 Fab Adult Coloring Ideas and Projects for Your Inner Child
10 Totally Natural Ways to Improve Concentration

The post 15 Simple Steps to Crush It at Adulting appeared first on EcoSalon.

Self love is an important aspect of our personality. Accepting ourselves for who we are is the only way we can ever fully accept those around us and find peace.

We are our own worst critics, constantly hating on ourselves for no good reason. When we get down on ourselves the problem gets even worse. That’s when the negative self talk kicks into full gear and we beat ourselves up worse than any bully could ever dream. We need some self love.

5 Tips to Cultivate Self Love

1. Set attainable goals.

Part of the reason we’re constantly tearing ourselves down is because we’re unable to reach the ridiculous goals we set. Set goals that you can actually reach. That doesn’t mean that you don’t have more ambitious goals as well, just realize that you need smaller more reachable goals in between. For example, if you’re saving money to buy your dream house, set the goal of getting out of the red in the first year and then set reachable budgeting goals there after. This way, you’re working toward an attainable goal in between your more ambitious goals. Setting and reaching goals helps us to build faith in ourselves.

2. Get to know yourself.

Have you ever noticed the tendency to judge someone harshly until you get to know them better? I know I’m guilty of it–thinking someone is bitchy or snobby and then hanging out with them only to realize I was dead wrong. That’s the way we are with ourselves, too–judgmental until we get to know ourselves a little better. Meditation is a good avenue for establishing a better relationship with yourself as is journaling or just spending time alone.

3. Surround yourself with support.

If you’re surrounded by hypercritical people then your tendency will be just that. Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you and your skill set. It will help you to do the same.

4. Watch for negative self talk.

Be mindful of self criticism especially when you’re feeling down. Notice the negative words that you say about yourself and question them. Are you really a loser? Are you really fat? Are you really not worth anything? Your likely answer is no because a lot of the crap that we say about ourselves is just that–crap.

5. Fully accept yourself.

Accept that you’re a fallible person just like everybody else. Life is messy sometimes and so are you, but that’s just fine. Know what you want out of life rather than just comparing it to what others want in life and accept your path. Then live intentionally, if your purpose is to travel and see the world, make meaningful decisions that support your intention.

Related on EcoSalon

Why Women Lack Confidence and What To Do About It

Remember to Love Yourself This Valentine’s Day

7 Ways to Live Without Self Doubt

Image: QuinnDombrowski

The post 5 Tips to Cultivating Self Love: We’re All Worth It appeared first on EcoSalon.

Try these three simple brain games for just twenty-one days and you’ll feel like you can tackle anything.

Like a junk draw of things you’ll probably never need, the internet is overflowing with advice on how to be happier. What’s real and what’s a scam? Everyday it seems there are hokey new brain games designed to increase your mental capacity, or improve your mood, but every so often you can uncover a gem like “Twelve Habits of Healthy Happy People” or “This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace.

Happiness is a feeling and like all feelings, we can’t force it, but we can set ourselves up for success through healthy habits.

More and more studies are proving that increasing our happiness is closely tied to our brain chemistry (even our guts). And like our tongues or biceps, our brain is a muscle, and the way we exercise it is key to it’s optimal function.

In my search of ‘happiness tips’ I’ve found the brain games below to be the best, only requiring a little reflection time, paper and a pen. So here goes: Get in the habit of writing these three simple thoughts for twenty one days and it will really rewire your brain and create the foundation for a happy life.

1. Gratitude

Write down three things each day you are grateful for. It must be different every day.  It could be simple or complicated, like “I am grateful for my family” or “I am grateful for the delicious and nourishing qualities of fresh kale.” Just make sure it’s three different examples each day.

2. Random Act of Kindness

Write down a random act of kindness you witnessed or performed yourself. For example, send an email to someone close to you with whom you haven’t spoken in a while, make a donation to a worthy cause, or rake your neighbors lawn without telling them.

3.  One Positive Experience

Journal about one positive experience that happened to you within the last 24 hours.  For example, someone found my wallet on the L train and tweeted me to track me down and return it (true story!).

Remember: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything.  The happiest people make the best of everything.”

Do you have any favorite brain games that help you look on the sunny side of life? Share them in a comment!

Related on Ecosalon:

10 Best Cities In America For Health And Happiness

Top 20 Best Foods For Your Brain

Image: Mr. Skinner

The post Brain Games: 3 Easy Exercises For A Happy, Healthy Brain appeared first on EcoSalon.