Intentional Living, according to the Wikipedia, is any lifestyle based on an individual or group’s conscious attempts to live according to their values and beliefs. These can include lifestyles based on religious, political or ethical values, as well as for self-improvement.
“Intentional living means understanding your fundamental beliefs and values, and then actively living your life in line with those values.”
UNKNOWN
I was reading this article from The Good Trade as I was researching about Intentional Living, and the intro of the article really spoke to me in volumes, ““Don’t believe your feelings, believe your values.” It’s a reminder that feelings are situational, but values are consistent.“
I have been feeling disconnected for a while now which is a result of everything that has been happening in my life. When I lost my mama, I felt disconnected as a daughter, when my needs are not being met, I feel disconnected as a person, when I miss having my devotion,I felt far from God, when I am unproductive at work, I feel disconnected to my creative side.
It has been a struggle for months now and I know I have to take action if especially as I embark on a new chapter in my life.
While the hype of living intentionally is at an all-time high, my purpose on adapting this is because I want to stop living on autopilot. 2015 was one of the best years in my life as I was really living the life that I’ve always wanted. I travelled, I earned money while not doing so much, I was working with my dream clients and I was so connected with who I am and what I want. I was grateful, faithful and happiness was inside me.
So today, I want to make that decision to start living intentionally in all areas of my life. Spirtually, mentally, financially, physically, emotionally.
Living a simple life certainly requires intentional living.
UNKNOWN
How To Start Living with Intention
To start living intentionally, we can follow Becoming Minimalist’s Guide which consists of several steps:
Laying the Foundation: Realize that your life is made up of choices, evaluate the culture that you’re swimming in and to examine yourself.
Adding Practical Steps: Decide to live your life, define your purpose, set goals, stay focused and learn from others.
For me, I started writing on my journal. I acknowledged and wrote what I needed to change and which areas of my life I really need to focus on.
After writing on my journal, I started decluttering a corner in my room that have been crowded with trash that I was too lazy to throw away.
I also transferred money into our loan account which I should’ve done last week.
Then I started writing this blog. I want to document this journey as it might help other people who are in the same boat as me.
Decluttering Your Space
This is the first step that I really needed to do. I need to declutter our room to make extra space and make it more comfortable.
I have a LOT of stuff. Lots of clothes, books, boxes, whatnots.. I have decluttered our room a few times but it’s still hard to let go of my things. *sigh*
There’s stuff everywhere! Yes, even on the floor.
Our room would “look” clean for a couple of days if we get some help but we have ways to add clutter again and again.
I watched Marie Kondo’s series on Netflix with hopes of getting motivated to clean and declutter yet I’m still having a hard time cleaning.
But after reading about intentional living, I know I needed to declutter our bedroom, for real this time. I need to organize everything, probably give stuff away and throw the unnecessary boxes and receipts that I have hoarded for years.
If you’re tight on time, you can allocate at least 15-20 minutes in your day to clean one area in your room or house. I will write a follow up post once I’ve cleaned and organized our room.
Are You Ready To Live with Intention?
Grab a notebook, paper or your journal and a pen and write out your core values. Answering these questions is a good starting point too:
- What do you believe in
- What kind of person you are and what you want to be
- What kind of life do you want to be
- What makes you happy
- What are your priorities in life
- What are you passionate about
- How is your financial health
- What kind of job you currently and what’s your dream job
- If you’re a mom or a first time mom, what kind of life do you want your kids to have and what kind of environment do you want to raise them
These are just some questions to get you started and hopefully start living an intentional life full of gratitude, abundance and happiness.
I will try to write more posts about Intentional Living, possibly about How To Be Intentional about your Choices and Habits so stay tuned for more! 🙂
Now it’s time to declutter another area in our room. Have a lovely Sunday everyone!
