Ways to live your life to the fullest

There are many ways to enjoy life, have a good life and to make the most of your life.  Having a lovely place to stay, being in a loving relationship, having friends and a great job, are all things that makes your life enjoyable.  However, those are all “external” things – not that there is anything wrong with it at all.  Being alone (on your own) and being lonely are 2 different things:  you can be alone (on your own) and be happy, fulfilled and enjoy life.  When you are lonely, you are unhappy inside; regardless how many material things you have, friends, and so forth.  If you are not at peace with and happy with yourself, then no amount of money, friends, and so on, will fill the gap. 

Saying all of this, I decided to list a few things that you can do to not only change your thoughts, but also ways to life your life to the fullest; to enjoy every moment; whether you are on your own or not.

Drink a glass of warm water with / without lemon first thing in the morning

Learn something new, for example a new, healthy recipe, a new language or a new trade

Make sure you are taking the right vitamins and minerals and remember to stay hydrated; regardless of the weather outside

Before jumping out of bed, do a few stretches to wake the body up and get the energy flowing

Stretching before going to bed will not only relax your muscles but also help you to sleep better

Exercising for at least 20 minutes, 3 – 4 times a day, is crucial to your emotional-, mental- and physical well-being

Aim for 6 – 8 hours of sleep every night; if you struggle to fall asleep, make an effort to not look at your phone, the television or laptop, at least 30 minutes before going to bed.  This way, your brain can also start to “wind down”

Having your yearly eye- and dental check-ups, will give you peace of mind

Waking up earlier than usual is not always easy, but it can give you just that extra time to get ready for your day, without rushing

Good skin-, hair-, and nail products are a good investment

Making time for a “spa day at home,” is not just necessary, but also good for both body, mind and soul

Spend more time outside, in nature; regardless if it is warm or cold

If you live in a country where you don’t get a lot of sunshine (or it is not as hot as other countries), make sure to take a vitamin D-supplement 2 – 3 times per week

Reading a book, listening to uplifting, relaxing music and not reaching for your phone every 10 seconds, are great ways to relax and unwind

Times are tough sometimes, but if you can put money away every month (even if it isn’t the same amount every time), you will be grateful in the long run

Keep to your budget:  stop buying things that you want or desire.  Instead, only buy things that you really need.  A great idea is to throw something out when something new comes into your home or wardrobe

Buy quality over quantity.  Fast fashion is here today and gone tomorrow.  Classic pieces, however, have stood the test of time

Real plants and flowers in your home, will always brighten the mood

Regular decluttering is a great way to get rid of that which you no longer use or need.  Not only does it make space for new things, but it also invites new energy into your home

Tidying up the kitchen before you go to bed, making your bed in the morning before leaving the house, keeping your spaces neat and clean, are all easy-to-do tasks that will give you more time for yourself

If you like writing, then why not start a journal as a way of getting your feelings out?  This way there is no need to bottle things up; especially if you don’t want to talk to someone

Joining a gym, book club, dance group or anything outside your daily routine, can be fun and you can meet new people

Be consciously aware of your surroundings – appreciate and give thanks to the small things, for example a sunny day, a flower, a bird chirping, and so on

Many people will say it is easier to forgive to forget.  That is true, however, if you can forgive someone with your whole heart and not dwell on the past, then you can free yourself completely.  It is when we hold on to the past, the anger, the hurt, that we end up not really (honestly) forgiving someone

For those who are lucky enough to live by the coast, go for a walk and/or a swim in the ocean.  Otherwise, walk in the rain or go for a swim in a pool.  Water is a marvellous cure for many things

Find a hobby, watch a sunset or a sunrise, adopt a pet – do something outside your comfort zone

Treat others the way you would like to be treated

Before you speak, ask yourself:  is this kind, is this necessary, will I say it to myself?

When you say something to someone, be sincere about it.  After all, actions speak louder than words.  Your words mean nothing if your body language, eyes and face, say something else

Have boundaries and standards when it comes to intimate relationships.  Never settle; your happiness will, more often than not, be short-lived

When your day didn’t go as planned, be gentle with yourself and never beat yourself up over it.  Sometimes things happen differently, or doesn’t happen, but there is always a reason behind it.  Know that all is as it should be

Have an attitude of gratitude for each and every one in your life

Changing how you look at life will change how you feel about the people and things coming in and out of your life

Look up and look pleased – even on the days that you don’t feel like getting out of bed; just smiling at a stranger will brighten your mood

Live everyday as if it is your last; live it to the fullest, enjoy every second and remember to laugh a lot

Mimic a dog!  Dogs only give and want love, without any strings attached.  Loving someone, giving your time and energy to someone, shouldn’t come with “I did this, so you owe me that.”  Of course, it depends on what you gave (lending money, for example, is something completely different).

Let go of being too attached to material things.  You came into this world without anything and you are going to leave this world without anything.

I am sure there are many other things that you, my readers, can add to the list.  Living your life to the fullest means knowing that you are unique, that you have certain talents (skills) that others don’t have, that you are the one and only version of yourself.  Make the most of what you got, what you have and always be thankful for everyone and everything in your life – even the ups and downs!  Without those, you will never learn and grow.