You want to live a life in tune with what you value.
You do things not because you want to not because of your environment and the surrounding people.
If you want to get out of this and live a life that aligns with your values, then intentional living should be at the forefront.
What does it mean to live intentionally?
Intentional living is showing up or living a life that depicts the person you see yourself growing into in the long run.
Intentional living is paying attention to the things that matter to you and shutting out every other voice telling you otherwise. It is living a life you are happy and satisfied with in the long run.
In a world where everything is fast-paced, you live on autopilot.
Intentional living is living on your terms. Doing things because they matter and are important to your long-term growth.
It is paying attention to the mundane things around you. Things you would have ignored on a normal day and not being influenced by this fast-paced world.
What are the benefits of living intentionally?
Living an intentional life sets the pace for things in your life. It has a lot to do with the major areas.
Your career, your finances, your relationship, your health, your environment, your well-being, and the list never ends.
These areas of your life shape you directly or indirectly to become who you are or who you see yourself to be.
Some benefits of intentional living.
You know what you want and go for it.
Living an intentional life will make you do things because they are important and matter.
You give things a second thought compared to when you live on autopilot.
You become less influenced.
Nothing seems to influence you anymore. You buy things not because they are pleasing to the eyes, but because you need them, and would help you live a better life.
It heightens your sense of attention.
The things you would have ignored are now being paid attention to, the reason why you buy a particular thing, or why you act a certain way.
The mundane things that give room for gratitude are now important to you
You will always be happy.
Even though it may sound vague and so unreal in a world where you are happy at one time and the next, the world is doing the most.
Living an intentional life means you have a bit of control over your life, and you can do things to reignite happiness because you now control the surrounding things.
You get to reach your goals easier and faster.
Since you’re living with so much intention, you get to achieve your goals faster; you become in tune with your goals so much that you ignore or stay away from things that would prevent you or slow you down.
You live on your terms.
You become your boss and set the rules for how you want to live your life and how what people say has little to no effect on your life. Doing things that make you happy and at peace will now be more important to you.
How do You Live with Intention?
Intentional living is a lifelong game. It isn’t something you get up to and complete in a day or two. You keep improving and getting better as the day goes by.
You are in tune with what you want and how you want your life to be, and you take baby steps to be that person, and that is all that matters.
Write a letter to yourself.
Grab a book and a pen right now or use the note app on your phone.
Write a letter to yourself saying who you see as the person you want to be.
Something in this line,
I live with so much intent that I stay away from my phone by 9 pm, and by 10 pm, I’m in bed because I get to wake up early by 6 am to hit the gym so I can get my body right.
Or it could be I don’t do things because others are doing them, I sit back and have a second thought on things before I take action.
This is what intentional living means.
Start Small and Build up.
It is not a day’s job. They did not build Rome in a day; it takes a process, works, and being intentional about what you want. Begin with a day and progress from there.
So it could be as little as being intentional about what you consume because you are trying to maintain weight, start incorporating healthy meals into your daily diet and cut out greasy meals.
Pen it Down.
As someone big on journaling, grab a book, write the things that are of value to you, who you see yourself to be, The things that would set you up as this person, and stay away from anything that would hold you back from living intentionally.
Discipline.
When you are starting, it is easy to fall off the wagon. It’s more like starting a new habit. It takes a while to get accustomed to it.
If you say you will go to bed by 10 pm every day so that you can get out of bed early to exercise, and it means no Netflix after 9 pm, and you are in bed before 10 am, then do it.
Because this is what the person you see yourself to be will do as well.
Be Easy on Yourself.
There are days when you want to beat yourself up because you didn’t show up and instead appreciate your tiny growth. It will set you up for more success as you go on your journey to living intentionally.
Be True to Yourself.
No lies here. If you’re not seeing the result, pull yourself back and ask the questions that are required.
It takes courage to tell yourself the truth, but you have to do it since you have an end goal in mind. No one knows you better than yourself, so do what you need where necessary.
Set Healthy Boundaries.
Setting healthy boundaries is letting go of anything or anyone that will not allow you to be that person you see yourself.
You hang out less with someone that will not allow you to study for your final exams. It is going to the supermarket with a list and not buying anything that isn’t on the list; it is not going to the soda aisle of a supermarket or buying something because it looks attractive when you know you don’t need it.
Or
You are not going out with your card because you know you will swipe it.
Set healthy boundaries, and your future self will be grateful to you.
It is a Lifetime Journey.
It could take you a year, two years, or more. The journey is unique for everyone; Don’t beat yourself up if yours takes longer than others. Keep working and building a few years or months from now. You would be glad you began this journey.