There is no right or wrong way to live your life. The truth is that everyone is on their own journey, and trying to tell other people whether or not they’re living their life correctly is totally unreasonable. However, what isn’t unreasonable is looking at yourself and your own life and asking if you’re really making the most of it. The sad truth is that, all too often, many of us end up just sleepwalking through life without ever really taking control of it or getting the most out of it.
With that in mind, here are some things that you can consider when asking yourself if you’re really living your best life?
What’s your lifestyle like?
Having a good time is great, but there is always a point where things can end up going just a little too far. Sure, meeting up with friends every so often to catch up over a few drinks is great, and there’s no reason why you can’t go out and really let off some steam from time to time. But when those decisions start to become so frequent that they impact your life in general, that’s when things have the potential to become a problem. Now, that’s not to say that everyone who likes to part needs to check themselves into rehab immediately. However, it is always worth keeping an eye on the impact your lifestyle is having on you physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Does your career satisfy you?
There are few things that can make you feel as though you’re doing nothing but sleepwalking through your own life than feeling as though you spend all of your time working at a job that doesn’t satisfy you in the slightest. If that’s the case, then why not try and find something else? Sure, applying for jobs and taking that kind of risk can be scary. You’ve just got to ask yourself, is fear really worth letting yourself get stuck in a dead end job for the rest of your life?
Are you taking care of yourself?
Self-care is one of those things that become something of a buzzword recently, and there’s a risk that people are going to start getting the wrong idea about it if that happens. The truth is that self-care is an incredibly important part of life, and if you’re not practising it regularly in a positive way, you could end up taking on too much pressure and burning out entirely. It’s okay to be a little bit selfish from time to time when the other option is exhausting yourself.
Are you trying to please everyone else?
You find yourself at a crossroads between making other people happy and achieving what you really want to do in life. You can sometimes feel that you are being pulled in a million different directions, and there is no way to free yourself from the building pressures in your life. When you start to feel the weight of the world on your shoulders, there are ways to make your life less stressful. From asking other people for help to prioritising yourself and doing the things you genuinely love. Don’t be afraid to speak out; you can feel just as much stress, and anxiety as people much older than you so never feel like your emotions aren’t valid. Pinpoint where your pressure is coming from, and you will soon be able to lighten your load.
Your health is a priority
Your own health is so important to take care of, no matter how much you’re trying to help other people in your life. If you get ill, you will make yourself even more stressed, so take care of your body and provide it with the nourishment it needs. Eat a rainbow of foods and enjoy getting some fresh air outside. The outdoors can instantly elevate your mood and free your mind of the stresses and worries that are taking over. If you often feel tired or groggy, you might want to take a vitamin supplement to make sure you’re getting all the vital nutrients your body needs. Your doctor will be able to advise you on the best multivitamin, which will help you to regain your energy.
Improve your fitness
When you embark on a fitness journey, you do it for a few small reasons. Maybe you want to look great in a bikini this summer, or just feel healthier in yourself. The thing is, there are all these incredible bonuses, which come along with it. It isn’t surprising that it becomes more than just a hobby for so many people. You can even do it from the comfort of your own home with gyms creating innovative at-home workout programs such as Fitness Boxx from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
Savvy self-care
If you’ve been neglecting yourself recently, then this might be the cause of your stress. Perhaps you’re missing your friends, or you haven’t read your favourite book in a while. Run yourself a bubble bath and light some calming candles. Whatever makes you smile, make sure you’re getting a little bit of it every single day. There’s also no shame in asking for help, especially if you’re caring for a family member, as you may find it a struggle to fit in ‘me time’. Perhaps discuss respite or look at granny flat designs with your elders to see if this is something they might consider so you can look after both them and yourself. Self-care is cool, so put yourself first for once and do the things that make you happy.
What you define as “your best life” is going to be entirely up to you. But if you’re feeling unhappy or unsatisfied, then it’s worth taking the time to do a little bit of introspection and asking yourself if you have more control over the direction of your life than you think you do. After all, life is like a delicious meal; you’re only going to get the best out of it if you put the best possible things into it in the first place. Whichever angle the added pressure is coming from, you can afford to take a break. Look after the small details in your personal life, and you will soon feel the stress releasing itself from your body. Learn the triggers of your inner tension, and you will quickly be able to cope with them again.
