Happy April! We made it through the winter. Now, it is time to ensure we are on our journey to flourishing. This month will be about intentional living; as we design the life we want; we must be mindful of how we live each day.
Being intentional means having the ability to see specific results in the future that, if you achieve them, will help you become the person you want to be. Intentional living is about being more deliberate with your day and activities.
Benefits of Intentional Living
Now, we focus on intentional living. Choosing intentional living is like planting seeds that will bloom in a beautiful array of colors. As you nurture plants and give them the care they require, they bloom. We need to be nurtured as well, and we are the ones who provide this self-care.
Some benefits of intentional living are:
- Improved mental health
- Better physical health
- Healthy relationships
- Clarity
- Reduced psychological stress
- You are aligned with your values
- You are happier
- Achieve your goals
- Being present
- Gratitude
- Greater fulfillment and satisfaction
- More control over your life
Sounds great! Sign me up.
Of course, there is a catch – you will most likely have to change your lifestyle and habits. The catch is you have to put time and effort into working toward these changes. Also, remember that change takes time. You will not do this overnight.
We are working toward eudaimonia, which is “human flourishing”; and a contented state of being happy, healthy, and prosperous.
So, are you flourishing? Let’s ask ourselves some questions.
- Do you experience joy and contentment?
- Are you immersed in activities that light you up?
- Are your relationships deep and meaningful?
- Does your life have purpose and meaning?
- Are you achieving your goals?
We all want a life that is filled with contentment and purpose. If your answer to the questions above is no. Then you have a starting place. If your answer is yes to all of the above well, we all have room to grow.
Practical Steps to Intentional Living
Take an honest look at how you spend your time. Are your daily actions in line with your values? Start with identifying any disconnects or misalignments between daily actions and intentions.
Know what you want. Prioritize your top values; not all values are equal. Focus on the ones that are most important to your long-term goals.
Be deliberate with your day. Plan your time for the things that matter the most.
Revisit your list of goals regularly. Out of sight – out of mind. By visiting the list often, you are reaffirming your commitment. You can then refocus on your daily intentions.
Be authentic; don’t try to live someone else’s life. There is no right or wrong; you are the one designing the life you want.
Be present. Awareness of your daily choices is essential. We will be changing habits; some are deeply ingrained in our lives, and some are unconscious. Reaching for a candy bar without thinking. Remember that the inner voice is a guide, and you may need to teach this internal dialogue some new language. When I look at a piece of cake now, my inner voice tells me we do not eat cake. I used to grab a bit, a plate, without thinking. It was a journey to retrain myself, but the change has been so valuable in my health. My internal dialogue has been aligned with my deliberate objectives.
21 | John Maxwell – Intentional Living – YouTube
Make sure you set aside time for self-care, rest, and self-reflection. Slow down when it is needed. Take inventory of where you are and what you are doing at this moment.
Routine – A Crucial Role in International Living
Routines act as a framework in which purposeful actions are built. Routines can contribute to your plan in various ways.
- Routines provide a sense of order and stability. They create a predictable framework for each day, and this reduces our stress and uncertainty. When we know what to expect, we can focus our intentions on planned choices.
- Intentional routines allow us to align our actions with our core beliefs and values. By consciously designing our daily habits, we prioritize what truly matters.
- Routines can streamline decision-making. So that we do not constantly evaluate each option, we follow an established pattern. This provides us with efficiency and focus.
Intention is not about rigidity; it is about purpose. By incorporating intentional routines into our lives, we cultivate well-being and productivity.
Conclusion
We all want to be the best version of ourselves. We want to live a life that is authentically ours. You design the life you want by the choices you make. This is where intentional living comes into the picture. Determine your identity and set a path to reaching that person.
There are believed to be three universal existential flouring cores. The first is love, nurture your relationships, and express affection; build those relationships. Learning is how we thrive, curiosity fuels growth. Read, explore, and expand your mind. The third core is playing. Playfulness is the substance of flourishing. Dance, laugh, create, and find your joy! Build these activities into your intentional plan of action.
Savor your experiences!
Be present in the moments
Slow down and enjoy life
Create rituals
Practice gratitude
Engage your senses, taste, touch, sight, and sound
Visualize your best self – then make that version of you a reality. You design the life you want by the choices you make.
Let’s get intentional!
Recommended Reading
Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters, by John Maxwell
7 life-changing benefits of daily routines, by Cathy Reisenwitz
Realign Your Life: 5 Steps to Get Control, by Melanie A. McNally, Psy.D. (Psychology Today)
Being Intentional: 6 Ways to Be Intentional Every Day, by Mark Pettit
Citations
Photo by Nadiia Ploshchenko 🇺🇦 on Unsplash