When I look at this photo that was taken over a year ago at Palo Duro Canyon, I came to a realization, it is in nature where it’s easiest for me reflect, recharge and seek solutions to problems I face in every day life. In the busy hustle and bustle of working a 9-5, juggling a side biz, and just trying to keep balanced in all aspects of life, it can be hard to find the time to do things that bring me the most joy. When I looked at this photo, I wanted to plan a trip, to head back to this exact location. But what I really needed? To slow down, sit with myself and reflect perhaps with a Chai Latte, or in complete solitude. I needed to get more intentional with the way I was living day to day.
It’s all to common to get caught up in our daily lives, focusing on small details that don’t matter, and often times we lose sight of what matters most. Intentional living is being able to pause, and evaluate what you’re doing. In order to life a life full of intention, you must be able to stop yourself and be able to ask tough questions, like these…
These questions are crucial for self reflection, and can help steer you in the direction you want to go in.
I personally spent some time doing some much needed self reflection, and realized that lately.. I had been too busy to set my intentions. I was just always doing something, always on the go, had to be somewhere, ect. ect. Life was flying by me, and I was just being tossed by a sea of waves, just going along for the ride, hoping for the best.
And that was the very reason I knew I needed to pause, reflect, and get more intentional with my life.
Not going to lie here, just the thought of “being more intentional” with my choices, kind of made me panic a little. It made me think that this meant I had to have ALL my sh!t figured out, all at once. Lets be honest, choosing to be more present, and be more intentional has nothing to do with having your entire life figured out. But it has everything to do with questioning your thoughts, choices to help steer you in the direction you want to go in.
Still a little lost in how to start this journey of living with more intention and being more present in your every day life? Keep reading.
You can’t lead a more present and intentional life without knowing who you are and what you want out of life. You must know who you are at the core of your being, to know what direction you will go. Do you want a new car? A home near the ocean? Having a goal, and knowing what you truly want can help you create a pathway to getting the things you want out of life. If you’re unsure of what you want, or what direction you should be going in, start writing down your desires, what you enjoy doing, and where you want to be in the next few years. Journaling or even talking to a life coach can help you realize all sorts of interesting things.
Make your space, and your schedule work for you, not against you. For me, this took massively decluttering my space, to make room for “peace” and more joy….here’s what I mean by that: When you declutter, and arrange furniture/household items in a way that opens up your space, you’re also creating more openness in your mind. Basically, what I’m talking about here is practicing Feng Shui. A clean, open home sets the tone for a more calmer mind as a whole.
It is crucial to check in with yourself daily and question how you’re using your time. Start by picking up a planner at Target, write your schedule down, all of your bills, “to do’s” priorities, and goals and start to organize your daily life. Evaluate how you spend your down time. Remember that project you wanted to complete, but said you didn’t have “time”? I bet you do, but you need to find, and create time to do it. Managing how you spend your time and practicing saying “no” more often allows you to live your life more intentionally by spending time doing more things you truly enjoy.
It’s 2018, a time where we’re surrounded by all things digital, so it can be hard to step away from a phone, or a computer especially if your job relies on it. Even if you’re someone who needs to utilize technology, try cutting out distractions from your phones, starting with meaningless apps. Delete that mindless game you play to make the time go by, or even SnapChat (I did this a few days ago, it was like a breath of fresh air!) You will find once you remove distractions and temptations from yourself, you’re automatically more present, and intentional of how you spend your time.
How can you live a life of intention and be fully present in every situation if you aren’t taking care of YOU? Being fully present or being “on” all the time can be incredibly draining, that’s why we must take time out to recharge our batteries. I find by “slowing down” I’m allowing myself to feel and process my emotions more thoroughly, which can help me lead a more intentional, fulfilling life.
How do you stay present and live with intention in your day to day lives? Tell me in the comments below!
