Baby Steps to Loving Life

Loving life is a practice. Yes you heard me right, it's something that we can learn and develop. It’s a skill. If you feel like you’re stuck or unhappy and don’t know how to fix it, let me tell you, you can fix it. I’ve fixed it in my own life. I’ve watched myself go from being sad and stuck to absolutely loving my life, even during hard (or as I call them, “growth”) periods. It took me years and lots of effort, learning, and practice. It definitely didn’t happen overnight or due to a specific event. It takes a series of baby steps, as well as the knowledge that progress is not linear. It’s a life long practice to overcome obstacles and keep going and loving. Here’s some tips to start loving your life.

Set boundaries.

You don’t have to listen to the toxic and negative gossip at work. You don’t have to go to that dinner if you’re feeling exhausted and just want to chill at home. You don’t have to do anything out of fear or obligation or just to please others. Take care of yourself first. In front of everyone. EVERYONE. If you put yourself first, you will love others more fully. You will care and give from a place of love, not from a place that will leave you feeling resentful and drained. It’s not selfish. It’s not conceited. It’s actually one of the best things you can do for yourself and others. Setting boundaries means living with integrity.

Find practices that work for you.

For me, it’s meditation, writing, reading, nature, and yoga. For you, it may be lifting heavy weights, making music, and prayer. Find the stuff that fills your soul and make time for it. Even 10 minutes a day.

Don’t be afraid to test the waters.

Just because you made a choice a few years ago doesn’t mean you have to stick with it for the rest of your life. Don’t be afraid to try new things, new experiences, hobbies, even careers. If it’s a big change, take it one day at a time. Consider the worst that could happen and the best that could happen. Then dive in (or baby step in).

Get out of your head.

It’s easy to get caught up in our own problems and insecurities until we're in a puddle of life loathing and don’t know how to get out. Practice recognizing when negativity and sadness start to creep in, and then change it up. Go for a walk. Take 10 deep breaths. Make plans with a friend. Move your body. Listen to a podcast. This will help you stop the spiral of frustration and get a fresh perspective.

Get in a habit of self study.

What are your priorities? What are you grateful for? What are your goals for this week, this month, this year? What is bringing you down? What little changes can you make today? Write it down. Knowing yourself will help you make decisions that will lead you to where you want to be.

Make it important to you.

Carve out time every single day to take care of yourself. When you start to heal the inside (your heart, soul, and mind), your external reality will follow along. Most of all, don’t give up. Life will throw hard stuff at you. You will experience heartache, grief, loss, and a multitude of other hard experiences, but that doesn’t have to mean that your life sucks. Know that you are not alone. Know that you can take these experiences and grow through them. Know that you can find happiness and contentment right inside your heart with a little bit of practice.

Sending you love and lots of joy today,

Melissa