Easy Steps to Make Your Days More Enjoyable and Meaningful
Discover these simple ways to make your life more manageable and joyful, and to give it true meaning
Defining your purpose in life needn’t be an overwhelming task, or one that leaves you feeling as if you haven’t achieved enough. Take some time to think about what makes you feel fulfilled and you’ll uncover the true meaning of life. Or the meaning of your life anyway.
Material success is unlikely to be on your ‘most meaningful’ list, but spending quality time with family and friends probably is. And when it comes to figuring out what you really love, be sure to throw out the rule book. For some people, digging their hands into the earth to plant a seedling brings unbridled joy, while, for others, immersing themselves in their work is deeply pleasurable.
This guide will help you uncover your true purpose in life and show how your home can support what matters most to you.
Material success is unlikely to be on your ‘most meaningful’ list, but spending quality time with family and friends probably is. And when it comes to figuring out what you really love, be sure to throw out the rule book. For some people, digging their hands into the earth to plant a seedling brings unbridled joy, while, for others, immersing themselves in their work is deeply pleasurable.
This guide will help you uncover your true purpose in life and show how your home can support what matters most to you.
Get real about your social life
For many people, connecting with those they hold dear is what gives their lives true meaning. But where you sit on the introvert/extrovert scale will determine how much socialising is best for you. Too much talk leaves introverts drained, while not enough interaction has extroverts yearning for more. Get real about your needs, and those of your partner, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between socialising and the me-time you need.
Tip Not spending enough time socialising to feel fulfilled? Get proactive and invite friends over more often instead of waiting for an invite. Plan get-togethers a couple of months ahead to give your friends plenty of notice. If time’s not on your side, keep your gatherings casual by serving up a simple menu, or ask everyone to contribute a dish. It’s you your friends are coming to see, not what’s for dinner.
For many people, connecting with those they hold dear is what gives their lives true meaning. But where you sit on the introvert/extrovert scale will determine how much socialising is best for you. Too much talk leaves introverts drained, while not enough interaction has extroverts yearning for more. Get real about your needs, and those of your partner, and you’ll strike the perfect balance between socialising and the me-time you need.
Tip Not spending enough time socialising to feel fulfilled? Get proactive and invite friends over more often instead of waiting for an invite. Plan get-togethers a couple of months ahead to give your friends plenty of notice. If time’s not on your side, keep your gatherings casual by serving up a simple menu, or ask everyone to contribute a dish. It’s you your friends are coming to see, not what’s for dinner.
Spend your hours consciously
It’s all too easy to find the weeks slipping by without you really achieving anything, except going to work and coming home and doing it all again the next day. Do you really want to spend every evening zoning out in front of the TV, or would you rather do something more productive?
Consider taking up a hobby or learning something new – even 10 minutes a day spent mastering a new skill can help you progress. Make a conscious decision about how you want to spend your time, rather than mindlessly slipping into well-worn habits.
Tip If the TV proves too tempting when you’re tired after work, find a way to hide it. Out of sight is out of mind.
Does your loved one have a hobby? See how to stylishly incorporate it into your home
It’s all too easy to find the weeks slipping by without you really achieving anything, except going to work and coming home and doing it all again the next day. Do you really want to spend every evening zoning out in front of the TV, or would you rather do something more productive?
Consider taking up a hobby or learning something new – even 10 minutes a day spent mastering a new skill can help you progress. Make a conscious decision about how you want to spend your time, rather than mindlessly slipping into well-worn habits.
Tip If the TV proves too tempting when you’re tired after work, find a way to hide it. Out of sight is out of mind.
Does your loved one have a hobby? See how to stylishly incorporate it into your home
Create time for rest and reflection
Making the most out of life is one thing, but if you don’t pause to refuel, you can become sick or feel run-down. Create a haven for rest by making your bedroom as relaxing as you can with soothing colours such as soft greys and pale greens, comforting textures and sumptuous soft furnishings. Setting the scene for sleep and relaxation is essential if you don’t want to go through life on autopilot.
Tip Writing a diary or meditating before bed will help you to switch off, and get in tune with where you’re at and what really matters.
Discover 10 ways to use soothing pale green in your home
Making the most out of life is one thing, but if you don’t pause to refuel, you can become sick or feel run-down. Create a haven for rest by making your bedroom as relaxing as you can with soothing colours such as soft greys and pale greens, comforting textures and sumptuous soft furnishings. Setting the scene for sleep and relaxation is essential if you don’t want to go through life on autopilot.
Tip Writing a diary or meditating before bed will help you to switch off, and get in tune with where you’re at and what really matters.
Discover 10 ways to use soothing pale green in your home
Maintain perspective
Ever found yourself yearning for something more? Being grateful for what you already have really is the secret to contentment. And it’s as simple as looking around your home now and then and acknowledging what you truly love about it.
Once you’ve done that, take stock of your life and thank your lucky stars for all the great things in it. Your health, your loved ones, your pets or your job are just some of the things you might have forgotten to be grateful for. If you’re struggling with this, think about the people less fortunate than you who’d love to have your life.
Ever found yourself yearning for something more? Being grateful for what you already have really is the secret to contentment. And it’s as simple as looking around your home now and then and acknowledging what you truly love about it.
Once you’ve done that, take stock of your life and thank your lucky stars for all the great things in it. Your health, your loved ones, your pets or your job are just some of the things you might have forgotten to be grateful for. If you’re struggling with this, think about the people less fortunate than you who’d love to have your life.
Find meaningful work
Is your work total drudgery, or do you relish the challenge each day brings? It’s easy to fall into a habit of complaining about your job, but that doesn’t do your wellbeing any favours. If you really do hate your job, take steps today to change it. If you don’t love your job but it pays well, shift your focus to appreciate what it allows you to do and have. Life’s too short to waste on negativity.
Tip If you dream of doing something more creative, such as starting your own business or writing your memoirs to pass on to your children, make it happen. Replace some of the time you’d usually spend scrolling through Facebook or in front of the TV and get busy in your home office. You don’t have an office to work in at home? Just about everyone can find a nook in which to create one.
Is your work total drudgery, or do you relish the challenge each day brings? It’s easy to fall into a habit of complaining about your job, but that doesn’t do your wellbeing any favours. If you really do hate your job, take steps today to change it. If you don’t love your job but it pays well, shift your focus to appreciate what it allows you to do and have. Life’s too short to waste on negativity.
Tip If you dream of doing something more creative, such as starting your own business or writing your memoirs to pass on to your children, make it happen. Replace some of the time you’d usually spend scrolling through Facebook or in front of the TV and get busy in your home office. You don’t have an office to work in at home? Just about everyone can find a nook in which to create one.
Help your home be nourishing
If your kitchen cupboards are filled with processed foods and your fridge is the same, you’re not giving yourself the chance for fog-free thinking and optimum energy levels. Make good use of your garden and grow your own fruit and vegetables. That way, you’ll always have healthy food at hand. Alternatively, set up a home delivery order with a local organic food company.
Healthy eating requires some simple planning, so write a meal plan each Sunday night for the week ahead and order your groceries online, so you’re all set up to cook. Alternatively, there are companies that will deliver healthy recipes plus all the ingredients to your home. The trick is to take the daily decision making out of eating well and make it something you just do.
If your kitchen cupboards are filled with processed foods and your fridge is the same, you’re not giving yourself the chance for fog-free thinking and optimum energy levels. Make good use of your garden and grow your own fruit and vegetables. That way, you’ll always have healthy food at hand. Alternatively, set up a home delivery order with a local organic food company.
Healthy eating requires some simple planning, so write a meal plan each Sunday night for the week ahead and order your groceries online, so you’re all set up to cook. Alternatively, there are companies that will deliver healthy recipes plus all the ingredients to your home. The trick is to take the daily decision making out of eating well and make it something you just do.
Indulge your passions
If you’re still searching for your true purpose in life and wishing you had a passion, chances are it’s right underneath your nose. Think about what you really love doing, or what you do without a sense of obligation. For some it might be baking goodies for your children’s after-school snack, or losing yourself in great works of literature. For others, it might be the challenge of learning another language, or making a musical instrument sing. Others might find themselves smiling at the thought of volunteering their time to help someone who needs a hand. Anything goes!
Take away any expectations of fame and fortune, and you might just find that you’re already doing some of the things you love – it’s the things you love that give your life joy and purpose. Now, you just need to make time to do what you love more often!
TELL US…
Have you found the meaning of your life? Inspire us by sharing your revelations in the Comments below.
If you’re still searching for your true purpose in life and wishing you had a passion, chances are it’s right underneath your nose. Think about what you really love doing, or what you do without a sense of obligation. For some it might be baking goodies for your children’s after-school snack, or losing yourself in great works of literature. For others, it might be the challenge of learning another language, or making a musical instrument sing. Others might find themselves smiling at the thought of volunteering their time to help someone who needs a hand. Anything goes!
Take away any expectations of fame and fortune, and you might just find that you’re already doing some of the things you love – it’s the things you love that give your life joy and purpose. Now, you just need to make time to do what you love more often!
TELL US…
Have you found the meaning of your life? Inspire us by sharing your revelations in the Comments below.
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If you try to store all those great ideas and motivating thoughts in your head, many of them are sure to be forgotten – especially if you’re busy and your mind is already full of to-do lists. Keep a notepad handy to jot down your thoughts or sketches – you’ll soon see a theme emerging about what’s important to you and where you’re headed.
Remember that what you think about, you bring about, and when you take those thoughts a step further and write them down, you’ll gain real clarity about where it is you want to head.
Tip A chalkboard wall in your kitchen is the perfect place to let your ideas run wild. Or create a mood board to hold inspiring photos, quotes and treasured finds to keep your dreams alive.