We are still months away from the end of the year, yet the cycle of events, expectations and stress has already begun! On the back of some difficult years due to COVID-19, there is a sense that everyone is reassessing their life. We start to consider what we live for and think about how we balance our work and heath.
So, what does it look like to reset your life today? It starts by asking these six questions. Your answers will give you the direction for a new, or tweaked, path so you can live healthier, happier and with purpose.
- How satisfied am I with my life right now?
Be honest with yourself and assess how content you are with your life today. Are you satisfied with your mental, physical and spiritual health? Do you wake up with purpose? If you’re not completely satisfied in every area of your life (many of us aren’t), ask what you can do to change this. It may be a matter of changing your career, starting a family, moving or joining a gym. Maybe you need to let go of some relationships, set boundaries, or grieve what you have lost. - What are the non-negotiables in my life, and how can I cultivate happiness in and around them?
Non-negotiables are the things, or people, that you are responsible for. For instance, if you are unhappy in your parenting or marriage you don’t just abandon your family, but you can take steps to balance these responsibilities with your passions and goals.* A conversation with your partner, looking at day care or a relative who can baby sit, or studying/working from home could all be ways you can find more happiness in every facet of your life.
* This is not in relation to an abusive relationship, where the safety of the partner and children is paramount.
- Who are the three people in my life that I spend most of my time with, and who do I want those people to be?
Identify the people in your life who you see the most. Ideally, this features your spouse/partner, your kids if you have any, and a close friend. But this is not always the case – work colleagues, clients and other people can all feature prominently in our lives. The amount of time and quality of time can differ depending on your lifestyle, but use this question to prioritise the people who matter to you the most. Don’t forget to include time spent online and how you communicate with people digitally! And where if feels impossible to prioritise your important relationships, start small. Leave work on time. Send a text. Catch up for coffee once every few weeks. Take your holiday leave. Pick the kids up from school. Turn your phone off. It all adds up.
- What impact am I making on the world, and what mark do I want to make here?
Success isn’t measured by the money we earn, the hours we work, or the size of a house. It is about living out our everyday life with great love, dependability, integrity and showing up for the people we love. Ask yourself how you are currently changing the world for the better, and considering parenting, community work, the way you treat strangers, how you use the little or much that you have, and how faithful you are to your relationships. Figure out how you can better the world in your own way and orient your path to better fulfill this purpose.
- Am I surviving or thriving?
It is never wrong to survive. When it is our only option, finding the courage to wake up, show up and breath is courageous. But you also deserve to live with a sense of certainty, hope and purpose. The type of life where you thrive, and even in the midst of setbacks, have the resources, relationships and resilience to get through. What is the next step you can take towards thriving? Perhaps you need to reassess your career, relationships, eat healthier or move more. Figure out what small step you can take to cultivate a life where you thrive instead of survive. - Who am I comparing my life to, and what is uniquely beautiful about my journey?
There will always be people, peers, celebrities or family members we can feel inferior to. Social media means we are all acutely aware of our presumed inadequacies and failures. So even our wins – like prioritising our health, paying rent, or just surviving, are minimised and we feel unsatisfied and ashamed of our journey. It is good to have plans and goals, and to be inspired by people who are living out what you value with integrity and health. But stop tying your happiness to their level of success. You aren’t on earth to be some sort of perfect successful wealthy influencer. You are here to be uniquely you – to live with joy, purpose and to give your all to the people and things you love and are passionate about. What makes your journey unique, and what are the things in your life that make you happy? Remember them, and channel your energy into growing these things rather than trying to be someone else.
Do you feel like your life is going nowhere? Would you like to find hope and explore ways to live purpose? Here’s what you need to do: Contact Colleen on 0434 337 245 for a FREE 10 minute consultation on how we can best help you or book online.
