When I had the feeling that I was tired already in the morning, I started looking for ways to live simpler. Not more productive, not more successful, but simply. The first step was not about lists and time management, but about recognizing that I do not have to do everything. It's like giving myself permission to be alive, and not endlessly useful.

I started in the morning. The most effective thing I did was to stop grabbing my phone in the first 30 minutes after waking up. I turn on the kettle, wash my face, comb my hair, and only then look at what's happening in the world. These half an hour without noise are like an antiseptic for the brain. Sometimes I read a page or two from my favorite book or just sit and look out the window.

The next step is to streamline my daily tasks. I cook for two days at a time. I put my laundry in the evening so that I can just hang it up in the morning. And I've given up on the idea that dinner has to be a full meal. Sometimes it's just a salad, some cheese toast, and a glass of something cold. And that's okay. Sometimes I don't even turn on the light in the kitchen so as not to disturb the evening silence.

I introduced a "silent day" - one evening a week when I don't go anywhere, don't answer anyone, and don't have to be interesting. On this day, I just exist - I lie down, listen to music, watch the sunset, or iron the tablecloth (yes, that happens). It's not about laziness, it's about being in touch with yourself. Sometimes I even turn off the Wi-Fi - and the day becomes longer.

I have a "permit myself" list. It hangs on the refrigerator and says: don't answer right away, don't go to a meeting if you're tired, don't finish a book if you don't like it. It's not laziness, it's caring. I added another point there recently: "you don't have to be in touch all the time." There's so much freedom in this that I almost physically feel like I'm getting my time back.