4 Ways To Set Yourself Up To Live The Life You Really Want

Are you living your best life? Sometimes we get so caught up in the day to day that we don’t stop to think as seriously about this question as we should. It’s easy to drift in our careers, coast with our relationships and take our health for granted. And before we know it, another year has gone by without us stopping to consider whether we’re living the life we really want.

Of course, living life well means different things to different people, and it’s not always easy to define, but it starts by taking a deep dive into some of the key parts of your life and reflecting - honestly! - on where you are. A life audit, so to speak, where you review and identify areas of your life you need to work on. Once you know what needs to improve you can set goals and take steps to help you achieve positive change.

We’re not suggesting that you have a total life overhaul. Baby steps are fine, as long as they are taken with authenticity and purpose. To get you started, here are some areas of your life you can focus on to set yourself up to live the life your eally want.

1. Review Your Relationships.

Regardless of whether you’re naturally reclusive or a social butterfly, we all need to connect with others to thrive. We rely on others for love, companionship, support, security and ultimately, our sense of belonging. But relationships don’t always run smoothly and sometimes you need to take a fresh look at the people around you. Sometimes you'll find that you've outgrown your friends, neighbours, colleagues. Maybe even your partner or your family. Or maybe they’re the ones who have moved on and you’re just not on the same page anymore. That’s ok. Life happens. What’s not so good is hanging on to a relationship that doesn’t work for you anymore.

Cutting the cord isn’t always easy, and sometimes, like with family ties, it’s simply not possible. But by taking the time to recognise how you feel, you can take steps to manage your relationships. Are you excited or anxious when you see someone? Do they make an effort to be there for you? Do you want them to? Does the relationship feel nourishing? Or toxic? These questions are a good place to start, and if the answer to any of these questions is a negative one, maybe it’s time for change.

If your relationship, whatever its nature, is in a good place, make the effort to nurture it. For example, if you are in a good place romantically and one of your relationship goals is to have the wedding of your dreams, make it happen. Yes, it can be costly but it will be one of the most exciting days of your life so plan ahead, decide what’s important to you, set your budget and go for it.

2. Look At Your Home Life.

Your home should be your sanctuary. A place of security and comfort, where you can unwind and make memories. Do you feel that when you walk through your front door? If not, maybe you need to take steps to improve the feel and function of your home.

Again, you don’t need to adopt an all or nothing approach. Take it one room at a time. Start with the room you spend most time in - or start with the smallest space in the house if that seems more manageable to you - and think about how you are using it. Does the layout and furniture work? Is it well lit? Are there things you could - and maybe should - get rid of?

Sometimes all you need is a good decluttering session to make the room work for you again. Or maybe you’ll find that your home is simply no longer right for your lifestyle and you need to think about upgrading, extending or downsizing. Changing your home circumstances can be a daunting process, whether it involves buying your first home, moving to a new property or upgrading with home improvements. Getting expert advice is key.

3. Evaluate Your Career.

Every now and again it’s important to step back and assess where you are in your career and review your professional goals. By asking yourself some searching questions, you can hopefully recognise your accomplishments and identify your career aspirations. Is your work engaging and satisfying? Do you have ambitions for promotion that you would like to pursue? Are you being adequately recognised and rewarded, emotionally and financially, for the work you do?

Hopefully this will enable you to tick some of your career goal boxes, as well as giving you valuable insights into the areas of your professional life that need improvement. It’s also a time to think about your work life balance, and make sure your wellbeing is not being adversely affected by your job.

Maybe you’ll find that you need to study in order for your career to progress, or that you would benefit from a career change. There are financial solutions available to help you pursue a new course of study, whatever your age or stage of life.

4. Check Your Finances.

It may sound obvious, but doing a financial audit is an essential part of setting yourself up to live the life you want. Prioritising your financial wellness and thinking about where your hard earned money goes will help ease your financial stress and leave you with more money for the things you really want to do in life.

By keeping your budget in check and spending mindfully you’ll have more money for the things that matter most to you. Maybe that’s a new car, maybe it's the holiday of a lifetime, or maybe you want to invest in your wellbeing so you can take control of your health. Let’s face it, money you spend to improve your health and protect you from unexpected medical costs will give you a better chance of living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Living Your Best Life.

Living your best life is an ongoing process. Every day brings with it new opportunities and new challenges, so it’s important to reflect and set new goals at regular times throughout your life. Your 30 year old self will have different ambitions and desires than your 40 year old self, so move with the times and embrace all that a regular life audit can offer you.

If you’re looking for expert guidance, speak to the experts at Cherry Godfrey and let them help you enjoy your best island life.