Living the Life You Love

I started my Fifty Frolics projects to make the most of turning fifty.  As I'm experiencing it, this means doing more of what I enjoy...and enjoying my life more.

It seems that, prior to this year, I didn't make a point of doing so.  It's not clear why.  I can't explain why I denied myself simple pleasures.  Or why I did less of the activities I enjoy.

The good news is that I'm using this milestone birthday to make some simple adjustments -- and, unexpectedly, I'm finding my life is getting better and better.

Now YOU don't have to wait for a milestone birthday -- if you simply decide to want to enjoy your life more, you can.

How to live the life you love?

1.  First, set the intention to enjoy your life more. Choose to live the life you love.  Make it a daily practice to remind yourself of your desire to enjoy your life more.

2.  Take a moment to appreciate those elements of your life that are working well right now.  Try it:  List five or ten things in your life for which you're grateful.  (Even better if you make this a daily habit).  These are the cornerstones for living the life you love.

3.  Now, think back over your lifetime.  What are things or activities that have made you happy?  What have you really enjoyed?  What's been fulfilling? What do you wish you could do more of?

4.  Is there anything that hasn't yet been a part of your life that you think you might like to try?  Perhaps a new activity or skill?  Is there an experience for which you're yearning?

5.  What would like to experience less of?  What would you like to reduce or eliminate from your life?  These are the things you will be replacing with more appealing options.

6.  Look at your lists.  What jumps out at you as being the most important, the most fun or the most interesting things you'd really, truly love to have in your life?

7.  Devise ways to make it happen. If you're yearning to spend more time in nature, for example, figure out a way to do so at least once a week.  If you're hankering to learn to play guitar, sign up for a class or ask someone for lessons.

8.  Keep track of how you're doing -- once a month or so, ask yourself "On a scale from 1 - 10, how much am I enjoying my life?"  If the number stays the same or goes down, ask yourself what adjustments you can make this month.  If the number goes up, pat yourself on the back -- you're doing exactly what you intended:  you're enjoying your life more.

I'd love to hear from you about this -- message me or leave a comment below.