‘What makes me happy?’
‘What are the things that are most important to me?,’ ‘What’s on my mind?,’ ‘When I’m calm and listening, what does my inner voice say to me?’ and ‘Then there’s the matter of whether I’m living my life in accordance with my values.’
These are important questions we can all ask ourselves on a daily basis. Asking them and being honest with our responses is a terrific way to see if we’re living the life we want. This practice can bring to light the privileges we have but don’t use, as well as what we don’t have. It can assist us in welcoming new experiences into our life.
For me personally, the answer to these questions is something along the lines of ‘you’re on the right track,’ ‘keep going,’ and ‘there’s still a lot to accomplish.’ Right now, the ‘more to do’ is figuring out what my purpose is and how I can make a bigger difference in people’s lives. Anyway, here are some findings that I find useful:
Physical clutter has a significant impact on mental clarity and energy levels
The stack of unread college readings, the cramped closet, and the disorganized papers sap us and their impact can be severe over time. Cleaning out what we don’t want allows us to make room in our lives for the things we do desire.
Consider how you want your home or workplace to look. For example. is it important to you to be surrounded by nature, beauty, or a sense of belonging? Are the values you hold dear mirrored in your surroundings?
Take a chance and make a difference. Enlist the help of a friend or even a professional declutterer for those who can afford to do so.
Determine whether an internal critical voice or stress is causing you to slow down or halt
Find a method that allows you to relax. On most days, I meditate, breathe deeply, and write in my journal. Other folks I know enjoy going for a stroll, a run, or a swim. Do what you think is best for you.
This may appear to be a fun thing to do when you have some free time. Mindfulness – paying more attention to the present moment – and calming the mind are both vital for personal wellbeing and health. Meditation is also one approach to rebalance your life and avoid more significant health problems.
Then there are the unhelpful practices that keep us from enjoying the life we desire
One that comes to mind is the excessive use of social media!
I’m learning how to use apps that put a temporary block on social media to help me focus on important work. I’m also acknowledging that some jobs take me a long time because I’m not proficient. As a result, I’m learning to delegate and automate tasks.
In the end, these suggestions aren’t the be-all-end-all. Everybody has their own battles. There may be people in your life who are holding you back or it could be your bad habits. Take stock of what or who is obstructing you, then prioritize what matters most and set a timeline for change.
Make new routines and welcome new people into your life. Small, consistent steps are far more effective at sustaining long-term change than large, erratic changes. On a daily basis, focus on what makes you happy.
Learn to visualize what makes you happy and reflect it in your vocabulary. Write about it, take baby steps, and feel gloriously lighter after removing what makes you unhappy and welcoming in what makes you joyful.
Until next time!