Alittle over a year ago, I told my husband I wanted to be more involved in CrossFit (I’d been doing it for a year and was addicted). The next day, the owners of our gym asked my husband and I if we’d be interested in becoming coaches. Um yes.

We dove into helping at the gym, took the level one trainer course and went through the internship program. Before long, I was working as a full-time coach and my husband was coaching when it fit around his full-time job as a paramedic.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, though, our duties/coaching schedules increased due to some unforeseen circumstances.

Alone, that would be a bit hectic. Combine it with my online business, his full-time job and our four children and things could be downright crazy.

Thankfully, I’ve been pursuing simple living for several years and it’s the habits I’ve developed that are saving my life right now. I could be burned out. I could be sick. I could be hating life and missing all the important people in my life.

But I’m not.

Instead, I’ve learned some tips and tricks over the last decade that are keeping me more than sane right now.

Meal planning

I’ve always hated meal planning. I love the results, yes (not wondering what’s for dinner is lovely), but the sitting down and figuring out what to make part? Meh.

However, I knew that in this crazy season of life, this simple practice I picked up long ago would be key to keeping my family well-fed without blowing up our food budget.

Thankfully, I figured out a way to simplify it even more – a Pinterest board (slaps forehead).

On Sunday night, I sit down with my computer and search Pinterest for Instant Pot ideas (this post could easily be on how my Instant Pot is saving my life right now).

Once I find a few that sound good, I pin them to my “This Week’s Meal Plan” board. I use the Pinterest app on my phone to pull up the recipe while I make dinner.

Every weekday at 3:30, I throw everything in my Instant Pot then head out at 4:05 to coach a class. My husband either takes over from there or I finish up after my class. This takes so much stress off of feeding my family and we’re able to sit down to eat together almost every night.

Scheduling connection

In addition to simplicity, connection is one of my top values, which makes dinners as a family a top priority. But it extends beyond our immediate family – we have a weekly family dinner on Sundays with my parents and brother.

Time with friends is also important, so there are still coffee and dinner dates with friends on the calendar.

I love knowing these gatherings are sprinkled among my classes.

Self-care

I’ve been a big proponent of self-care for a long time now, but as I was transitioning into coaching last year, I slacked a little. Ok, a lot. I got pretty sick with strep throat and was out for days. When it happened again a few months later, I got the hint.

Self-care has to be a priority so I don’t wind up sick in bed, unable to do anything.

So, in addition to making sure the important people in my life have a place in my calendar, I make sure I do as well. Daily workouts. Haircuts (my favorite). Even the occasional splurge like a massage.

And each day I make sure I just sit and enjoy a cup of tea – self-care doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful.

Clean house

Clutter makes me crazy. Nothing makes me feel more stressed out than seeing stuff on every surface and Legos spread all over the floor.

As simple as it is, one of the biggest sanity savers for me is a clean house.

Thanks to all the decluttering I’ve done over the years, it’s actually pretty easy. Everything has a place so the stuff on the counters can be quickly put away. The Legos go back in their boxes.

And this is all done before bed or first thing in the morning while I enjoy the silence before the kids wake up.

Simple is a life-saver in so many ways.