Do you ever feel like you’re just walking through life? Like it’s going way too fast and you haven’t had a chance to stop and think about how it’s shaping out? When I was young, I would feel like this often. It was a strange feeling. It felt like I didn’t know where I was going, like I didn’t have a clear path, but I hoped that each step I took would lead me in the right direction. However, since I had no clue what direction I should take, it made everything that much more blurry. Now that I’m older with more confidence and life experience, I can say that I’ve figured out some ways to clear the blurriness from my thoughts. In other words, I’ve taken the time to slow down and identify how to live life to the fullest. It’s only then can we really see the important things in life.
Now, it definitely took a few years to start living my life in a more fulfilling way, and I’ve become very passionate about the subject. This list I’ve compiled is what helped me in my own life, and I hope that it’ll help you. So, let’s jump in to my guide on how to live life to the fullest:
Do one thing outside your comfort zone every day
Is there something you’ve been wanting to try for a while but haven’t made the time for it? Why haven’t you made time for it? It usually comes down to the way we prioritize our time. Whenever I think I’m too busy for something, it’s usually because I’m just not that interested in doing it. If I was genuinely interested, I would make the time for it.
That said, in order to live life with more impact, I challenge you to do one thing that scares you every day. I know it’s incredibly difficult to do every day, but from experience, the benefits far outweigh the fear. For example, something outside my comfort zone would be asking a stranger for directions. While I was traveling in a different country a few years ago, I told myself that I would ask someone for directions if I was lost, even if they didn’t speak English. I hate asking for help, and I always feel uncomfortable doing it.
However, the more small interactions I had with people, the more accomplished I felt, because I did something a little less comfortable. That’s why, doing one thing outside your comfort zone each day can really have a big impact on your life, even if it’s a small thing. So, start today and take those first steps outside your comfort zone.
Maintain your close relationships
There are so many studies I’ve read about how humans are social beings and benefit from having strong connections with each other. As an introvert, I normally stray away from too much social interaction. However, this does make sense to me. I always think about when it comes to the end of my life, what will I wish I had done more of? And the first thing that comes to mind is I hope I would have told those I love how much they mean to me and showed them how I much I love them.
That said, the best way we can show others we care is to do simply things on a consistent basis. For example, when my grandfather was alive, although we didn’t live near each other, we would email back and forth. And I’m not just talking a couple sentence email, we would write a whole story sometimes. We both enjoyed writing and describing our experiences through words, so that was one way we maintained our relationship. Having a few, close relationships has really helped me lead a more meaningful life.
Contribute to making the world better
I often think about what I can do to make the world a better place to live. I know that no one lives forever, our lives are meant to end one day. But shouldn’t we try to improve the world we live in for those that come after us? With that in mind, try to think of ways you can help, whether it be environmental, social, technical, etc., you’ll find that when we work together to improve our world, it makes us all feel like we’re living our lives to their fullest potential.
Keep learning new skills
Have you ever thought, “There’s no way I can do…” or “I’m too old to do…”? Well, you definitely need to erase those thoughts from your head, first of all. And secondly, it’s never too late to learn something new. I’ve found that whenever I was diving into learning something new, I felt more alive. I felt like I could take on more obstacles after the ones I had already accomplished. And that feeling is really amazing in life.
Develop an open mindset
If you’re wanting to live your life to the fullest, then having an open mindset is an amazing way to make that happen. A mindset that’s open to new experiences, new environments, and new people helps you realize how much beauty is in the world. It also allows you to believe anything is possible and to keep trying if you fail the first time. Since failure doesn’t actually mean you failed, it means you keep practicing until you achieve your goal. I think having an open mindset has made me a more positive person which in turn has given me a more fulfilling life.
Be your authentic self
How do you live your life? Do you hide parts of yourself from the world? When I was young, there were times when I wore a mask. It was a mask no one could see, but only I could take off. I often wished I could just remove it, but the longer I kept it on, the harder it was to take off. As years passed, what helped was just simply remembering the important things in life and how short life can be. Fast forward to today, there’s no better way to live life then to be your authentic self. Never waste a second hiding who you are or pretending to be someone you’re not.
Be grateful for every day you’re alive
It’s hard to remember that each day is a gift and we’re not promised the next one. Though it’s always smart to plan for your future, it’s just as beneficial to be grateful for the day you’re living in right now. I think people lose sight of how amazing the simple things are like breathing in the fresh air, drinking a glass of water, or watching the night sky with your loved ones. So, at least for a few minutes a day, slow down and think about all the things you’re grateful for in life.
Although I’m sure there’s a ton of more ways to live your life to the fullest, these are just some that have made an impact on me. I’m interested in hearing about what makes your life fulfilled? What makes you excited about today? Let me know in the comment section below! If you’re interested in more lifestyle content, check out more posts here.