We all want to lead satisfying and contented lives.
However, this isn’t always easy, especially with the troubles that we constantly face as human beings.
Whether these issues are small struggles or big problems, it’s important to keep certain things in mind. Knowing these things and acting accordingly can help you live a more contented, satisfying life.
In this article, we’re focusing on 5 things you can do for a more contented and satisfying life in the coming year and beyond.
#1 Make Deeper and More Meaningful Connections
People rarely make resolutions regarding forging meaningful connections with others.
Maybe we’re so caught up with our own issues, problems, and lifestyles to even think about it. What many of us don’t realize, however, is that we take many of the relationships we have for granted.
Meaningful relationships stem from genuine conversations and honesty. This isn’t always easy, but it can be very rewarding if done right.
If you want deeper connections with others, you can start by doing the following.
Reach Out
The first step, and perhaps the hardest, is to reach out.
Some of us aren’t comfortable with talking about how we feel. Others don’t want to burden those around them with their problems.
Give your family and friends more credit, and just try to reach out. They will likely be more than willing to listen to what you have to say.
Listen and Speak
Know when to speak and when to listen. Sometimes all you need to do is listen to someone’s woes, while at other times, it pays to speak up and give advice.
Take turns speaking and listening to be able to voice out your concerns properly.
Keep an Open Mind
Have you ever had a disagreement with a friend?
If you have, then you would know that imposing your thoughts on others doesn’t always help. So, try to always keep an open mind when you interact while keeping firm regarding your thoughts.
Having an honest conversation regarding how you feel about something is one of the keys to a meaningful relationship.
Honesty, acceptance, and open-mindedness are some things that can help you build more meaningful connections with others. Be sure to keep all these in mind and always interact in a genuine manner. You’ll see your relationships with your friends and family improve as a result.
Forging meaningful connections can be very rewarding in the long run.
#2 Prioritize Your Well-Being
Your holistic well-being should constantly be your top priority. This means that you should be mindful of both your physical health and mental health. Taking care of both of these can ensure a more fruitful and satisfying life.
For physical health, your main concerns should be keeping a healthy diet, doing regular exercise, and getting plenty of rest. Youths your age need all of these things and not getting or doing them properly can be harmful to growth.
So, always prioritize eating a balanced diet, staying on-the-move, and getting plenty of sleep every night. Also, stay away from substances like cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol, as these have problematic effects on youth.
Regular exercise is necessary for good physical health.
Your mental health is every bit as important as your physical health. A fit body will have little use if the mind that resides in it always feels bad. As such, be sure to take the necessary steps for keeping your mind always healthy.
These include rest, stress management, proper communication, staying active, and reaching out to others. Most importantly, speak up about your thoughts. This may not be easy at times, but it definitely helps.
Both good physical and mental health contribute significantly to a satisfying life. You can’t just focus on one and forego the other —focus on keeping both in excellent condition.
#3: Work on Self-Improvement
What are the things you don’t like about yourself?
We all have flaws, but these things shouldn’t get in the way of living a satisfying life. What’s important is how we act to address these flaws that we have.
Self-improvement is one of the things that lead to fulfillment. Here are some excellent ways of attaining self-improvement:
Recognize your Flaws
As cliché as it sounds, nobody is perfect.
We have flaws, and these imperfections are part of us. It is vital for you to never define yourself by your flaws alone.
More importantly, you need to recognize these flaws as a part of yourself that you wish to change.
Of course, it sometimes takes time to pinpoint what these flaws are. You may need to do a bit of introspection to find the key flaws.
Accept Yourself
Accepting your imperfections involves knowing what you can change and coming to terms with what you cannot.
You need to accept these flaws for what they are.
Even better is to empower yourself with these flaws —see these as a jumping point for improvement.
Focus on making yourself a better person without solely defining your identity based on your imperfections.
Go on the Path of Improvement
Once you recognize the flaws that you can improve, it’s time to think of ways to change them.
Remember to actively incorporate changes in your lifestyle that seek to address the flaws you want to improve.
We all have both good and bad qualities. These make us who we are.
Regardless of what aspect of life you wish to focus on, pay attention to the changes you make.
For example, are you aiming to be more empathic towards other people? If so, take some time every few days to check on how your friends are doing.
Is personal hygiene what you wish to improve on? Then allot a certain amount of time every day to focus on hygiene.
It doesn’t matter if your changes are physical, mental, or emotional — it takes time and effort to improve. Don’t give up, remember it doesn’t happen overnight – but it can and will happen!
Ask for Help
Taking the path of improvement is a tough endeavour; fortunately, it isn’t something that you should walk alone.
If you feel that things are getting too tough to bear, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Asking for help is a sign of strength.
Reach out to friends and family and ask them for advice. More importantly, if you feel that you need professional help, then contact a counsellor.
Counsellors can help equip you with skills that can prove to be useful in your journey to self-improvement.
Don’t Beat Yourself Up!
We can’t just say that we want to improve and then suddenly expect this change to occur overnight.
These things require lifestyle and behavioural changes and will take time to take effect.
If you feel that the changes aren’t coming fast enough, don’t beat yourself up. Patience is a big factor here, so step back and keep going about the changes you should make.
We can’t stress enough that you should never let your flaws define you. Instead, focus on how you’re working on these to become a better person.
Doing so will give you a more positive outlook and life and can contribute to your overall well-being.
#4 Set Your Goals and Take Steps to Attain Them
Have you set any goals for your future?
Most of us already have our goals set in mind, while some are still figuring out what they want to do with their lives. Regardless of where you are in setting goals, it helps to think about the next step you should
take.
Do you want to study abroad? Then try learning a new language. Do you have specific careers in mind? Learn the skills that can help in the long run.
If you’ve already got your goals figured out, then good for you! All you need to do is pick up the skills and take steps to reach these goals. If not, don’t fret. Many people who are well into adulthood are still figuring their goals out, so give yourself some space.
Know that you’ll eventually get there — a little thinking or a push may be all it takes.
When you set goals, make sure you also think of ways to attain them.
#5 Take It Slow
Finally, taking it slow is one of the most important pieces of advice that we can give.
It’s very easy to be overwhelmed by today’s fast-paced lifestyle – couple this with all the things that are happening in the world.
These can all weigh down on your mind and cause excessive stress, which is unhealthy.
It helps to stop and breathe every once in a while. When you do, give yourself time to think, relax, and let the stress wash away. This much-needed break may just be what can help you get through a stressful day.
You can also do supplementary activities that can help you relax and take the troubles away. Some good examples include breathing exercises, meditation, hobbies, or generally just doing anything that takes away your stress.
Meditation is great at calming the mind.
Live a More Contented and Satisfying Life This 2021
Doing the changes to live a more satisfying life can’t be done overnight. It takes a complete shift in behaviour and mindset. It’s not easy, but it’s attainable, and some of us will need a bit of help doing so.
There’s no shame in asking for professional help. If you’re one of those, you need to look for a reputable and experienced counsellor to aid you. Those in Ottawa and surrounding areas will find Capital Choice Counselling to be an excellent choice.
We have counsellors who are highly qualified and can help. Contact us today to book your appointment.