Quality of Life

What does quality of life mean? As with many topics I have tackled, it is your responsibility to define it. Each of us has a different idea of what quality of life means. But many do not take the time to think about this aspect of life. Often, it comes into focus when major life events happen or as we age. Yet, it is an essential indicator of life satisfaction.

Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as “an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards, and concerns.”

Okay, a bit technical, how about quality of life refers to your overall well-being and satisfaction with various aspects of your existence? It is about your physical health, mental and emotional state, social connections, financial stability, and personal fulfillment. It is also about your material security and comfort, and freedom and autonomy.

Essentially, it’s about feeling content, fulfilled, and happy. It is an integral part of personal growth and development. Quality of life and self-actualization are reached by knowing oneself, by being self-aware, and by understanding your needs and desires.

In July, the topics will be about quality of life. Today, we look at simplicity. How does making your life simpler help improve the quality of your existence? As we move through July, the goal is to help you develop a definition for quality of life. What is involved, and what can you do to improve your life?

“Simplicity, clarity, singleness: these are the attributes that give our lives power and vividness and joy.”
- Richard Halloway

Quality of life has two components: those we can control and those we cannot control. Both affect our lives. If it is out of your control, you are wasting energy. You cannot change what you do not control. So, an excellent first step is to focus on what you can control in your life.

Let’s talk about simplicity. Then, we will return to quality of life.

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness, a Ted Talk by Robert Waldinger. In this talk, Waldinger shares insights from a study that followed the lives of 724 men for over 75 years, providing valuable lessons on what contributes to a fulfilling life.

Living on a sailboat – simplicity at its best

I fully understood the idea of simplicity when my husband and I lived on a sailboat. Our experience on the sailboat was a practical demonstration of how simplifying our lives can lead to a higher quality of life. We put our belongings into storage and set aside most modern conveniences for a remarkably simple life. On our sailboat, the Ariel, in Florida, we lived without a television, cabinets filled with dishes, couches, and decorations. We brought only a few belongings on board because of limited storage space. We embraced simplicity in our lives. A valuable lesson in realizing that we can live without most of the things we believe are essential.

Life was simple on the sailboat, but it was also incredibly rich. We both worked. But when we came home, we did not have grass to cut or housecleaning. Instead, we simply pulled the water hose over to the boat, sprayed the floor, and let it dry. We found we had much more quality time for life, our relationship and fun.

Our boat was anchored at a marina. On the weekends and some evenings, we would pull ropes into the boat and set sail. The marina offerd a built-in social scene, with weekend sailors and other residents living on boats. We were immersed in nature with seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. It was a life of simplicity, but also a life of quality time and rich experiences that I cherished.

This article is interesting if you want more information on living on a sailboat. Exploring the Joys and Challenges of Living on a Boat (msn.com)

Check out these thought-provoking questions below that help you look deeper at who you are, what you believe, and how you fit into the world. Soul searching is an excellent way to discover what quality of life means to you.

45 deep questions that make you think differently about life, by Julian Lewis

365 Thought Provoking Questions to Ask Yourself and Others in 2023, by Marc and Angel Chernoff

How to seek simplicity

You design the life you want by the choices you make. You can decide to live simply, with deliberate choices to slow down and consume less. Living simply does not mean giving up all modern conveniences, but rather making conscious decisions to prioritize what truly matters and reduce unnecessary complexity in your life.

Our possessions often complicate our lives. Decluttering non-essential items frees up mental and physical energy and resources. If you have not used it in a year, it may be time to let it go. Donate to Goodwill and recycle your unneeded items.

“Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor – it’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.”
- Peter Walsh

Evaluate your commitments. Let go of those commitments that don’t align with your core values. Are you overextending yourself? Look at your commitments and ask, does this support the life I’m trying to create?

Focus on a few essential goals. Prioritize what truly matters. When chasing too many goals, we leave little time to accomplish any of them. We have 168 hours a week; focus and prioritize how you spend your time on what truly matters.

Reframe your thinking by replacing negativity with positive thinking. Forgiveness and letting go improve your mental well-being.

Reduce debt, as it is a form of mental clutter and anxiety. Don’t buy so much. Ask do you need this item. Analyze your spending habits using a budget tracker. Identify areas where you can cut expenses. For example, if you are buying something every day, such as a special coffee or sandwich at a fast-food restaurant that costs $5,00. In a year, you have spent $1,825 on something minor.

Watch what you say, use fewer words, speak honestly, and avoid gossip.

Manage your screen time and allocate your technology time. Spend more time outdoors.

Find time for solitude. Don’t be afraid to be alone with yourself; seek stillness. Schedule quiet time. It does not have to be meditation or prayer; it can be a time without noise and distractions. Sit quietly on a porch or park bench. Just bask in the moment.

Manage the content you absorb daily; the media, what you read, watch and listen to can affect your day, your attitude, and the quality of your life. You cannot control what is happening in the media. We often create anxiety when compulsively listening to the news or following our social media feeds. Focus on what you can control.

Embracing simplicity enables us to prioritize relationships, passions, and well-being. By living with less, we enhance our quality of life.

Improving the quality of your life is a worthy pursuit. Here is where to start. Yes, it is about intentional decisions and well-being.

Spend some time outdoors daily, feel the grass under your feet, and immerse yourself in natural surroundings. Sunshine triggers our skin to produce vitamin D, vital to our biological process. It can lower your blood pressure and boost your state of mind.

Spend quality time with loved ones. Prioritize meaningful interactions with friends and family. These relationships bring joy, fulfillment, and a sense of belonging. Reach out to your loved ones, call them, or set time aside for lunch. Nurture these relationships.

Take care of your body. Eat well, prioritize sleep, and stay active. Be aware of harmful ingredients in your diet and remove them. Adequate rest is crucial for overall well-being. Aim for consistent sleep patterns and create a relaxing bedtime routine. Regular physical activity boosts mood, energy, and overall health. Find an exercise you enjoy and make it a habit.

Seek purpose and fulfillment in your job, hobbies, or volunteer work. When your work aligns with your values, it positively affects your quality of life. Having a strong sense of purpose contributes to your happiness and life satisfaction. Purposeful living is linked to better health. A purpose also helps you become more resilient to challenges and setbacks.

Step back and see the larger picture. The way you choose to live is not the only way to live. Broaden your perspective by exploring other ways of being through research, travel, and discussion. A large subculture of people chooses to live on boats, in RVs, in campgrounds, or move to another country. Many people who let themselves live their best lives are extremely happy and well-grounded. Could your life be different?

Nurture your ties to your community. If you don’t have one, create one you can belong to. Join clubs or organizations. Modern life can be isolating. When you have a community, you have a circle you are a part of. Its members, loved ones, friends, or neighbors can be a source of support, caring, guidance, and companionship.

Acknowledge the beauty that lives around you. Enjoy the small moments, the smile on a child’s face, the laugh lines of your grandmother, or the night sky filled with a full moon. There are natural and man-made wonders just waiting to be discovered by you.

Soul searching, my June blogs discussed meditation and journaling as a way of self-reflection. Getting in touch with your emotions and thoughts gives you a solid foundation for living in this world. Truly knowing your genuine self will help you define quality of life.

Conclusion

Quality of life is a worthy goal. Improving the quality of your life takes effort. You design the life you want by the decisions you make. You can develop an intentional living plan geared toward well-being and life satisfaction. It is important to remember that you should focus only on what you can control. If you spend too much time and energy worrying about things outside of your control, you are only going to cause yourself anxiety.

Simplicity is not just about physical possessions; it is also about mental clarity, time management, and intentional living. Quality of life will have different meanings depending on where you are in life, your age, social standing, personal economic situation. It changes. Take responsibility for yourself and add goals that bring quality to your life.

Focus on what you can control