While many people could say they have lived a satisfactory life, there are many others with regrets about a life that was not lived to the fullest. As Ernest Hemingway said, “don’t you ever get the feeling that all your life is going by and you’re not taking advantage of it?”. Realizing that you can do so much more with the life you’ve been given is almost like a breakthrough moment.
Some situations can mentally and physically exhaust you.
Perhaps you’re stuck with something at work, or you’re living far away from those you love, or wishing for a better life. While you might not be able to control everything that happens, acknowledging you can’t and working on getting out of that slump at your own pace is the first step to an improved life.
What brings you happiness? How can you edge closer to the life you imagined for yourself? Here are a few tips to encourage you to live life to the fullest.
1- Deal with what is holding you down
Often, people let their struggles define who they are. Life might throw the worst at you but having a support system that allows you to deal with what bothers you can be instrumental for your mental health.
However, there are times when you need external help ranging from something as simple as getting a tarot card reading to a session with a therapist. The idea is to feel at ease with yourself, get guidance, and find answers to move forward.
Living to the fullest means having a grasp over what bothers you and dealing with it so it cannot bring down your excitement for life. It is alright to accept external help to find clarity and direction because, ultimately, it is just another way to get to know yourself better.
2- Don’t compromise on your values
You will encounter many situations in life, and some will challenge you to make decisions that are out of your comfort zone. While being comfortable with uncomfortable situations is a great path to self-improvement, it’s best to stay away if something doesn’t feel right.
Your moral code and ethics make you who you are. These make up an important part of your identity, which, when compromised, can leave you feeling empty and resigned. There are ways to get out of situations; it might require more time and creativity but trust your instincts and choose a path with the least regrets.
3- Invest in your relationships
One of the greatest regrets people have is being too busy to spend time with their loved ones. Those who love you the most also understand the nature of your work and the effort you’re putting in. Sometimes being too busy compromises time for family and friends. While they appreciate you, being absent from their lives can create a distance that can be too difficult to overcome.
Not knowing what is going on in your loved ones’ lives will result in you having little to no context for their lives. Meeting them once every week or staying in touch on messages can go a long way in maintaining relationships. If you live too far away, you can talk to them on a video call, maybe pay them a surprise visit every once in a while. Every little effort counts.
4- Do what you fear
The only way to overcome fear is to go ahead and do what scares you. A life lived to the fullest is a life lived without regret. If you don’t take risks, you will never move ahead and learn little to nothing.
Enjoying life comes at the cost of learning important lessons, and some of those are risks you took because you didn’t let your mind get stuck on the ‘what ifs”. Staying in your comfort zone only promises a monotonous and stagnant life. Do you want to introduce a new idea to your team but fear it’s too risky? But what if it works out? Take the leap of faith and make the change. If it doesn’t work, you learn what can work. Taking risks and overcoming your fears is always an investment in developing your personality.
5- Don’t run after happiness
Much like any other emotion, happiness is also one that comes and goes. Consider happiness as a visitor in your life and understand that it is momentarily. The high you feel from happiness will likely not last for very long.
A fuller life doesn’t automatically equate to a happier life, but rather one where you’re at peace with yourself. Running after happiness will exhaust you and leave you feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Maintaining peace in your life and being in touch with your inner self will help you feel content. Craving happiness will only make you miserable in the long run. When you’re happy, acknowledge it, revel in it, and when it passes, accept that it will.
6- Take care of your body
Your body has been your constant companion since birth. You’ve seen and experienced everything together, and it has undergone many stressful situations. The first step to taking care of your body is being kind to it.
Mentally accepting and loving your body is a constant battle and one that might never end. However, knowing that this body is a gift to you and helps you through many things might change how you think about it. Respect it, eat when you feel hungry, exercise to feel more energized, and promise to take care of it.
Never overwork your body. If you’ve had a tough day, learn to take a break. Don’t ignore your body’s cues. Go for regular checkups or consult a doctor online and get a good night’s sleep to keep your body healthy and rejuvenated.
7- Keep your mind open to possibilities
Growth comes with having the ability to listen to others and correct yourself when you’re wrong. If you plan to explore the world, meet different people, and experience new cultures, having an open mind will make it a memorable one. Simply listening to people’s ideas that you might not agree with or initiating difficult conversations is another way to learn from people.
Having multiple perspectives improves your decision-making skills and sets you up for success.
Takeaway
Make the most of the life you’ve been given, take risks you wouldn’t usually take, celebrate those who love you, and search for peace. Living fully has very little to do with how significant changes you’ve made in life; rather, it is about small efforts you’ve made every day to be a better version of yourself and discover the world while enjoying the life you once only dreamed of.
