Here are some of the foundational tenants of knowledge I hold in the back of my mind in order to squeeze everything I can out of life – yes, even the bad and unexpected moments because all we have is right now. Before diving in, I want to preface this post with a disclaimer to take everything I say with a grain of salt. We are all such individualized beings that what works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. Just pay attention to how the words feel to you, and only allow it to stick if it feels right.

1. Choosing to live this way requires conscious effort.

It’s much easier to live on autopilot than it is to take radical responsibility for every action we take; been there done that! However, with everything in life, you can’t have good without the bad, the beautiful without the ugly, and bliss without pain. The trick here is to not shy away from those uncomfortable feelings when things don’t go as you wanted them to, but rather to learn how to surf through those waves. As time goes on, you’ll be able to know how to manage yourself when times get tough and therefore learn to find what feels best for you. Living life consciously opens up the doors to experiencing life that of course still has its challenges, but it enables it to be one filled with meaning and depth. The awesome part about the time we live in today is the countless resources we can access at our fingertips to help us learn how to become better for ourselves and the people around us. Whether it’s through a book, journal prompts found in a blog post, or self-reflection, the possibilities are endless for ways we can learn to reach our highest potential.

2. Know who you are.

Knowing who you are is the biggest asset all of us have the potential to access as humans. If we clearly know what we value, our passions, goals, and dreams we want to accomplish in this life, then it becomes much easier to prioritize, say no, and create meaning in our lives. Take the time to pay attention to who you really are. How the things you do each day make you feel deep down, what you value the most, who leaves you feeling energized after you spend time with them vs. those that make you feel drained, how you find flow with your mind and time, what lights you up, your biggest fears and dreams, how you’ve found success and where you’ve failed. There are so many questions left to be asked and considered, but prioritizing and befriending yourself is one of the best things you can do for yourself. I know at some of the lowest points of my life I felt like I was going through the dark because I had lost touch with who I was at my core. We all owe it to ourselves to continue growing into the person we’ve always wanted to be – this is a powerful tactic that can help you get there.

3. Contemplate death.

I know this one is a little morbid, but it always puts into perspective what fears I need to overcome to get me to where I want to be and how nothing really matters. This is a common practice adherent of the philosophy Stoicism used to contemplate the impermanence of everything in this world, known as premeditatio malorum (“the pre-meditation of evils”). The purpose of preparing for what could go wrong or be taken away from us is not only to build our inner strength but to help make us more adaptable when things don’t go our way and more receptive to change. It in a sense a way embodies Zig Ziglar’s famous quote, “Expect the best, prepare for the worst, and capitalize on what comes.” How I use this practice to help me live my best life is to think of how I would feel if the things I valued most were taken away from me. This pushes me to make the most I have right now by guiding my actions to ensure I would be content with the effort I exerted towards what I have control over in the situation despite what the outcome may be. To have all my ducks in a row and ready for whatever life has planned for me.

4. Connect yourself to something bigger than yourself.

Anchoring yourself to a mission that extends beyond your life, whether it be serving as a source of light for the people you come across or fighting to solve the injustices that happen in this world, can help you to prioritize your values and act as a symbol to keep going when times get tough. It’s a way to help paint a bigger picture of all of the possibilities the world has to offer, and therefore acts as a constant opportunity for us to put something or someone else before ourselves, which can be both humbling and sobering at the same time.

I hope the core tenants that I use to make the most out of my life provided you with inspiration to consider the same for yourself. I hope you have a great rest of your day and thanks for reading ❤

💘 Hanna