Are you feeling tired, overwhelmed and hurried? Do you worry that if you stop to smell the roses, life will pass you by? If you're like most, the answer to those questions is a resounding "Yes." Don't let life pass you by in a blur. Take the time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Make yourself a priority in your life again. Here are a few tips you can use to regain and enjoy the simple life.

Streamline your Stuff
Do you really need a television in each room of your home? Will a cell phone, PDA and a laptop help you keep orderly or stretch your patience to the limits? How many pairs of shoes can you wear at one time? Try living with less. You'll find that you probably don't need every gadget or item that is invented, no matter how much the manufacturer claims it will improve your life. Of course, if it's a must have, by all means get it, but if you find that you have to constantly buy the must haves, it's time to rethink your actual needs.

Here's a handy dandy tip. For one week, journal about how often you use a particular item or gadget and if it's living up the promised benefits. In time, you will find that you probably don't use half of the things that are occupying valuable space in your life and space. Free yourself from your stuff!

Practice Saying No
Let's see, there's the thing on the third and of course, there's that event on the 12th, oh, and let's not forget about those important gatherings on the 14th, 18th and 21st. OK, there are only so many hours in a day. Don’t feel obligated to accept every baby shower, birthday, house warming, retirement and wedding invitation that comes via e-mail, postal carrier or pony express. Simply say that while you'd love to attend, you have family obligations that prevent you from doing so but hope the event is a success. You can even send a gift, if you so desire.

Make your precious free time more about yourself and family than about trying to cram every moment full with external outings. Set limits on the number of hours you'll spend with others, especially when it means you'll spend less time with those you love the most, including yourself.

Reorganize Your Priorities
You're probably extremely efficient in many areas of your life. You're the greatest parent, employee, boss and friend, dependable and reliable. Always the first one to arrive and the last to leave, making sure that everything runs smoothly. Sound like you? Do you have the biggest grin across you face right now because you are feeling really good about all that you do? Great! You deserve to feel that way.

But let's try this little exercise. Get a piece of paper and number it from one to 10. Now list the things that are most important to you. Is your name anywhere on the list? Did you even make the top 10? If not, it's time to reorganize your priorities. It's a great feeling to be everything to everyone, but if you ultimately pay the price in the form of burnout, stress and poor self-care, is it really worth it?

Go ahead, redo the exercise, and put your name at the top of the list. Hey, if you're feeling really bold, list your name on more than one line. It's OK to make yourself a priority because you deserve it. It doesn't take a lot of time, effort or money to do so. Create your own spa day with candles, inviting or invigorating scents and sounds, or go to lunch at your favorite restaurant.

Ask for Help
Is that water on the floor? What's wrong with the picture on the television? It looks a little snowy. Do you hear that? What's that knocking sound coming from under the hood of my car? What should I do? I'll fix it all myself. But wait, I can't because I don't have the skills. Try this-call someone who can fix the problem for you.

Here's another little nifty exercise to try. Take a long look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Look closely and study every feature from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. Anything unusual? Perhaps you found the letter "S" on your chest. No? Well, great. That means that you don't have to be a superhero in every instance.

Ask for help. It will show people how in control and smart you really are. Instead of trying to do, be or fix everything, you'll appear efficient and organized. After all you know that three of the best sounding words in the English language are delegate, delegate, delegate!

Dr. Darnita L. Payden is a senior life organizing specialist and owner of PreciousOnes LLC, Decluttering and Organization. Call 202-652-1905 or visit www.ourpreciousones.com for more information.