SELF-HELP

10 Simple Practices To Help You Live a Fulfilling Life

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gratitude and happiness
An attitude of gratitude opens the door to joyful living and actually makes you happier. [ Photo / futurelearn.com ]
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Are you feeling a bit lost or unfulfilled in your daily life? Do you feel like life has become a blur of meaningless days that look and feel the same?  It’s not uncommon to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and lose sight of what truly makes us happy. Many of us function on autopilot, not really living life as joyfully and meaningfully as we should be.

If that’s how you feel, it might be time to take stock of your routine and see how you can improve it. Don’t worry, there are some simple daily practices you can incorporate into your routine that will help you live a more fulfilling life. In this article, we explore some of these practices to get you started on the right path. Let’s dive in.

1. Practice Self-Care

Let me start by saying that a fulfilled life begins with self-care. It’s pretty simple: you can’t live well and wholeheartedly when you’re not physically or mentally well.

So, make sure you set aside time to do something that makes you feel good, whether it’s taking a bubble bath, going for a run, or simply reading a book. When you prioritize your own needs, you’re better able to show up for others.

2. Start Your Day With Intention

The way you start your day sets the tone for the rest of it. So why not start with a clear intention? Take a few moments each morning to reflect on what you want to achieve for the day. Write down your goals or affirmations, and visualize yourself accomplishing them.

3. Practice Mindfulness

That’s right, being fully present should always be part of your daily intentions. Mindfulness isn’t just some New Age blabber; it’s an actual practice that helps us stay grounded in the moment without judgment.

For me, it’s necessary, so I can fully enjoy what life has to offer each day. I’m a worrywart (or rather, I used to be), but once I worked a mindfulness practice into my daily routine, I found myself able to let go of my worries.

Mindfulness helps us stay grounded in the moment without judgment. [ Photo / medicalnewstoday.com ]

So take a few moments each day to practice mindfulness, whether it’s through meditation, yoga, or simply focusing on your breath. It’s also perfect for calming you down during stressful times.

4. Cultivate Gratitude

It’s easy to take things for granted in our lives – this is what I was talking about when I said that sometimes we go through life on autopilot. What happens when you stop taking things for granted and start practicing gratitude instead? What happens when you take note of every little thing and appreciate it for what it is?

Here’s the good news: An attitude of gratitude opens the door to joyful living. That’s a fact – it actually makes you happier! If it doesn’t come naturally to you yet, that’s okay. You can start by sitting down at the end of the day and reflecting on what you’re grateful for.

You could write them down in a journal, share them with a friend, or simply think about them in your mind. This will help you cultivate a positive mindset and find joy in the little things.

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5. Express Kindness

As you develop an attitude of gratitude, a curious thing happens. You become a better and kinder person. And you know what? That adds tremendous value to your life.

Acts of kindness not only make others feel good but can also boost our own sense of well-being. There’s something about expressing kindness to others each day that gives us a sense of purpose.

Whether it’s a small gesture like holding the door open for someone or a more significant act like volunteering for a local charity, you’ll feel like you make a positive impact on someone else’s life.

6. Let go of grudges

Now, the great thing about practicing kindness is it softens us up and teaches us to forgive those who have hurt us. See how it’s all connected? It’s not enough to be kind to others; we have to be kind to ourselves, too.  And that’s what letting go of grudges is – it’s an act of kindness towards yourself.

Whenever someone has hurts me, I like to think about the pain and anger I feel as a rock I’ve got to carry on my back for the rest of my life. It’s not a pretty picture, so I make a conscious decision to forgive that person and let go of the resentment I feel.

They might not deserve it, but I do. I deserve to live a life free of anger and negativity. And so do you.

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7. Connect With Others

Here’s another practice that will give your life more meaning – making connections with others. The truth is, although we might say we’re fine being alone, we’re still social creatures. Connecting with others is essential to our well-being.

Research points to the many benefits of social connection. For one, it really drives the happiness meter up. It also has an impact on your physical well-being – people with strong social ties have better health and longer life.

So, make time each day to connect with friends or family members, whether it’s through a visit, a phone call, a text, or an email.

8. Connect With Nature

At the same time, don’t forget to leave yourself some me-time. Better yet, spend that precious alone time in nature. Spending time in nature can be unbelievably restorative and grounding.

Go for a hike, take a walk in the park, or simply sit outside and bask in the sunlight. Breathe in the fresh air deeply and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature around you. This will help you feel more connected to the world around you and reduce stress.

I can attest to this – every time I feel stressed, I go out for a walk in the park near my house and sit there for a while, just watching the ducks muck around in the pond. I always come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle new tasks!

9. Engage in Creative Activities

We all have a creative side, so why not tap into it? Engaging in creative activities like painting, writing, or playing music can be a great way to express ourselves and relieve stress. Even if you don’t consider yourself “creative,” you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of when you give it a try.

And you know what? Your brain will thank you for it! When you work with your hands and do creative work, something special happens. Your brain chemistry gets altered, and you forge new pathways in your brain.

10. Choose Experiences And Relationships Over Possessions

If you’re longing to infuse your life with more joy and meaning, perhaps it’s time to stop thinking about accumulating more things. See, society loves telling us this: in order to live a happy life, we need to have the latest phone, designer bag, car, and so on.

But that’s all about perception. The real story is that possessions and material things don’t really equate to happiness. You know what does? New experiences and healthy relationships.

That ought to give us pause in life’s consumerist culture. Instead of spending money on things you don’t really need, choose to invest in experiences that teach you new skills and that you can share with others.

In the long run, you’ll find yourself feeling more fulfilled.


Ashford Gikunda is a teacher of English and Literature in Gatundu North.
Written by
ASHFORD GIKUNDA -

Ashford Gikunda, a digital entrepreneur, runs Exams Hub.

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