The Guide to Living a More Intentional Life

I’ve always been the one to think about the next “big” thing. The one that daydreams of future places I will live, future careers I believe would be fulfilling, and future lives I could live that would bring me happiness.

I was in a constant struggle of attempting to accomplish and succeed in doing multiple things in less time. I’ve come to realized how much joy was taken from me by not living for each moment and consuming things that didn’t allow me to thrive each day.

The choices of each day

We have all felt the never-ending cycle of feeling like there is not enough time in a day to:

• Workout or move our bodies in any way
• Cook healthy meals at home
• Spend time outdoors
• Express creativity through hobbies
• Spending more time with your kids, family, and friends

When it comes to ourselves, we tend to put it on the back burner. How you spend your days is how you spend your life, and we have the opportunity each day to choose and invest in ourselves.

Instead of grumbling about the lack of time for the things you enjoy, reflect on the items and activities you consume every day that take away from the things that fill your cup.

Activities and habits that are fulfilling and energy-givers:

Practicing gratitude and mindfulness

• Before reaching for your phone in the first few moments of waking up, pause to reflect on the blessings already given for the day. Each day (at least I try to everyday) after I shut my alarm off, I lay in bed and envision the sequence of events and tasks I have to do. Not all of them I am jumping out of bed to complete, but it reminds me what I am working towards. This short, yet reflective, time in the morning serves as a reminder of how I envision myself and what I bring to the world.

Journaling

• Journaling has proven to aid in relieving anxiety and depression by decluttering the mind and removing negative thoughts or worries. I love to journal in the morning to get all the jumbled thoughts and worries out of my mind and into writing. There is something about seeing the wearisome thoughts onto paper that makes them feel less burdensome. Writing may not be for everyone, but since you are reading this blog, I have a feeling you enjoy reading at the very least 🙂

Spending more time in nature

• Placing your bare feet on the ground and balancing your body’s energy with the Earth’s quite literally grounds you. Not only is there an energetic exchange happening, but you feel connected to nature when you remove external stimuli and noise and be present in the moment. Swarmed by constant information and entertainment of social media and other forms of media, it is vital for greater fulfillment to make sure we are centered in our own lives.

Moving your body

• Even if you go for a 10-minute walk, your body will thank you. Our bodies do not thrive when we have prolonged moments of being sedentary; we are meant to move!

Talking to supportive loved ones

• Technology can be for the good. We have the opportunity now more than ever to stay connected at any moment of the day with the ones we love. Talking to friends or family (either face-to-face or virtually) that bring positive energy into your life can allow you to feel more inspired, less stressed, and more optimistic in your day.

Comparison is the thief of joy

Each season of life brings on different mental challenges and different struggles. Some seasons create more roadblocks or barriers in life, but comparing your season to another’s is the quickest way to unfulfillment.

We were never meant to have access to the amount of information about other people’s lives in the way we do now. What you consume and watch plays an immense role in positively viewing your life. There will always be a drive to want more or to chase more.

Turning to others for motivation or direction can be a great stepping stone towards reaching goals, but conditional happiness, or feeling like you will be happy when you have x, y, and z, is impossible until you are happy with yourself.

Removing the sense of hurry by slowing down

The satisfaction I receive through accomplishing challenges or tasks no longer serve as stepping stones towards the next “big” moment in life, but as small moments of celebration.

Living life slower and more in tune with my mind and body has allowed me to view success differently; I am no longer chasing monetary gains, trying to be perfect, or grinding to eventually burnout, but I am letting my passions fuel my work. Success to me now is in the form of enjoying what I do each day and being authentic–regardless of what I could potentially gain. What I already do and have is enough.

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