Less is more. Take a few tips from Los Angeles psychotherapist Allison Cohen, M.A., MFT, who says these steps will not only help you streamline your life but also address the importance of cognizance, or mindfulness, in our daily lives.

"Too often we are busy looking ahead or checking behind us because we are consumed with 'having it all' and 'getting it all done,' says Cohen. "When your mind is overly distracted by clutter, work stress, and other people, it takes you away from being in and enjoying the present moment-whether that moment is dinner with friends, or just sitting at home alone trying to relax."

This type of overstuffed, "mindless" living can take us away from simple yet powerful solutions, like those below. Make your mantra "organize and downsize," and you are sure to reap the benefits that come with mindful living.

1. Narrow Your Circle of Friends.

Eliminate the people who add stress to your life and focus on those you care about the most and those that bring happiness into your day.

2. Prioritize Your Roles.

If being a mother is your most important role, make it come first. If living your values comes next, make time for your cause.

3. Clean out your closet.

Working one area at a time, clear the clutter from your closets, cupboards, refrigerator, bookshelves, etc. Clear away nonessentials items you never use to make it easier to access the stuff you use on a regular basis.

4. Create better flow in your home.

Moving an obtrusive piece of furniture out of the way can help establish a clearer path when walking across a room or from one room to another. Make space by getting rid of furniture that doesn't serve much purpose, and organize what's left into a more sensible arrangement.

5. Work less.

If you have everything you need, and can live and retire comfortably on less money, free yourself up to spend more time enjoying what you have.

6. Save more.

First, pay off debts (you'll save on interest!), then commit to saving a portion of your paycheck to put toward future goals.

7. Live with less.

Figure out what you don't need, then decide what goes in the garbage, what gets recycled, and what you can give away, donate or sell.

8. Stop procrastinating and live life.

Being efficient with your time buys you more time to do everything you want to do in a day, and in a more relaxed fashion.

Allison Cohen, M.A., MFT, reviewed this article.