10 Practical Ways To Live B.S. Free in 2018 and Beyond

There’s only one way to really live your best life and that's by stripping away all the B.S.

It might sound like a lot of work, but once your life is decluttered from unnecessary stresses and heavy negativity, you’ll be so light on your feet that you’ll float like a butterfly (sting like a bee, optional).

1. IF YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT, LET IT GO

Knowing what’s grinding your gears lets you shut it down before it even gets to you. Is it something you can change, like being around certain people or procrastination? Change it! Is it something you’re stuck with and have no control over, like the way someone feels about you? Let that shit go.

Seriously, the less you fuss about the things you can't change, the more b.s.- free your life will be.

2. LEARN TO SAY NO

It feels good to help others, but when you over-commit and get bogged down with a hectic schedule, you start feeling less like Gandhi and more like Charles Manson.

If you find yourself in these situations, the best thing you can do for yourself is to learn to say no. It doesn't have to be mean or condescending, just a simple “I can’t, I have another commitment” should be enough.

3. PRACTICE SAYING WHAT YOU MEAN

Speaking your mind can do wonders for you, but some people think that having no filter and saying what you mean are both one in the same. But you can't just blurt out everything; communicate your reasoning and leave others without any doubt about your message.

There’s a fine line between being honest and being a bitch, and you don’t have to be a bitch to be a good communicator.

4. IDENTIFY AND BLOCK THE USUAL TRIGGERS

Do you tend to feel stressed or annoyed around certain places, people, or activities? Part of living a b.s.-free life means deciding how and where to spend your time and energy.

Have the self-awareness to know what triggers negative feelings for you and make it a point to avoid those people, places, and things. It’s easier said than done, but it’s totally worth it.

5. DETOX YOUR STASH

What you're putting on your body is just as important as what you put in it. Take some time to go through your skin care and beauty products. Are they expired? Trash 'em. Do they have chemicals you don't want swimming in your bloodstream? Dump 'em.

This isn't only for your skin care and beauty products. This goes for every aspect of your life. Not only will you do yourself a much-needed favor, but it's been proven that "spring cleaning" helps declutter your mind and alleviate a lot of stress.

That my friend, is how you can detox your mind, body and your home! Speaking of which...

6. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

Even the hardest-working hustler needs some time for herself. There’s nothing admirable about burn out, which is why taking the time to just regroup and get in touch with yourself is critical. It also has major health benefits.

Sit in silence while you drink your morning coffee and reflect on the day before, take up yoga or other fitness classes, start a hobby that can take away the focus of the mundane day-to-day. Whatever rejuvenates you, do that. Often.

7. IGNORE PETTINESS

Being surrounded by petty gossip and external bullshit of the like can really drain you and distract you from tapping into your potential.

It might be impossible to physically remove yourself from these situations sometimes but choosing to ignore things that don’t serve you can dramatically improve your well being and workflow.

8. KEEP TRACK OF YOUR MONEY

It’s true what they say: more money, more problems. The more you earn, the more likely you are to increase your monthly expenses, which can cause you to stress about keeping your job and the income flowing. The less you make the more you stress about not having money.

But there’s another side to this paradigm: making decent money and spending it without knowing where it’s going or even how much is being spent on a regular basis.

Whether it’s an app or plain ol’ pen and paper, start tracking where your money goes so that even if you have 99 problems, money will never be one.

9. LET GO OF YOUR PRIDE

A lot of b.s. in relationships can be squashed with simple communication. The problem is that it sometimes means swallowing our pride and admitting we’re wrong. If this is hard for you to do, then you need to get your head out of your ass and realize that if a relationship is important to you, it’s worth it.

Telling someone you’re genuinely sorry or being the first to reach out after a fight and setting the tone for a constructive conversation is the first step to getting past the bullshit and moving on with your life.

10. CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE 

This last one is probably the most important one. When you hear a statement and internalize it, it tends to feel like a personal attack. Instead, listen carefully.

Most of the time, someone's tone is more about them (maybe they’re having a bad day or just received bad news). Your first instinct might be to retaliate or harbor resentment, but why add that unnecessary weight on yourself when it isn’t even about you?

And yeah, sometimes, people are just assholes. Are you really going to let an asshole mess with your zen?

So, there you have it- 10 practical ways to get through life b.s. free. Be warned, putting these into practice may result in loss of fake friends and a sudden boost in mood and productivity. So if you're ready to take on the year (and the rest of your life) and keep your cool, get on board with these b.s.-free tips.