Fail. If you never take risks because you do not want to deal with the disappointment, then you will also never be able to enrich your life. Sure, it is safe to stay at your perfectly fine job, but if you do not take a risk and apply for your dream position, then your life will also be just perfectly fine. (Of course, this does not mean make reckless or irresponsible choices) Conquer your fears. Whether you are afraid of water, heights, or new people, making an effort to see that there’s nothing to be so scared about can make you feel more confident and capable.
Of course, not every new person will be compatible with you and talking to new people can lead to some awkward conversations; however, the more you get into the habit of introducing yourself to new people, the more likely you are to meet people who are exciting and interesting. Making an effort to meet new people will also make you a person who knows that he always has more to learn from life, instead of sticking with the same five people he already knows in his comfort zone.
If you do have the money to travel, try to avoid being merely a tourist. The real people who make a place different than your hometown are invariably largely somewhere else. Try to go where the locals go and to talk to as many natives as you can. A good start is often going to a local (not tourist-oriented) bar, restaurant, or recreational spot. If you do not have the money to travel, try food from various cultures, watch foreign films, read books by a diverse range of authors, or taking history or language courses can also help broaden your horizons. Focus on always improving yourself and learn about all of the different ways of living and thinking out there.
Finding a new hobby or interest you care about can increase your sense of commitment, which will enrich your life. You may also encounter new and interesting people when you pursue a new hobby, and these people can help you gain support and see the world in a new way.
Read a book that you always thought was “too difficult”. Practice a new sport. Train for a marathon or a half marathon. Or even a Fun Run, especially if you never considered running before. Write a draft of a novel. Or just try your hand at a haiku. Take on new responsibilities at work. Do something you once failed at. Learn to cook a gourmet meal
Biographies or memoirs for inspiration, or learn about extraordinary people you never knew existed. Historical non-fiction to learn about how the world used to be. Literary fiction to see relationships and experiences in a new light. Books about art, photography, or music to expand your horizons. Newspapers to learn more about current events. Seriously, when was the last time you read an actual newspaper with professional journalists?
A person who lives an enriching life is comfortable admitting that there are things he doesn’t know and is always eager to learn more. Find a way to ask the people who fascinate you questions about their experiences without making it seem like an interrogation.
If you’re a social media addict, you may not even realize all of the ways in which social media is negatively affecting your life. If you make an effort to limit your social media use to just 10-15 minutes a day, then you’ll be amazed by how much happier you feel and how much more time you have to pursue your own goals and interests.
If someone has really hurt you and it will take time to process that person’s apology, then be honest about it. Don’t pretend like you’re okay and then go on to complain about the person to your fifty closest friends. This won’t get you very far. You can forgive someone and still ask for some space before you start spending time with that person again. If you can’t be around the person without being angry or bitter, then don’t force yourself to do this just yet.
Sometimes, it may not be possible to fully end a toxic relationship if you’re stuck seeing the person regularly. Still, you can make an effort to be around the person less or to not let the person get to you when you do have to talk. Think about the people who make you feel the best about yourself and the most excited about the world, and try to spend as much time with those people as you can.
Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. This can mean running, swimming, biking, hiking, or playing a sport with friends. Yoga can also make you feel more mentally and physically capable. Be more active. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk as much as you can instead of driving. Move to other side of the office to talk to your coworker instead of communicating by email. If you’re talking on the phone, do some stretches or move around instead of sitting in one place. Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night and try to go to bed and wake up around the same time every day so you have an easier time falling asleep and waking up. Get a healthy mix of lean proteins, fruits and veggies, and healthy carbs in your diet. Avoid foods that are overly fatty or greasy or they will make you feel less energetic. Make yourself a smoothie now and again to enjoy your veggies in a different way.
Meditate. Just find a quiet spot and a comfortable seat and focus on relaxing your body as you concentrate on your breath. Just 10 minutes of meditation a day can make you feel more focused and well-rested. Stop multi-tasking. Though you may think this will help you get things done more quickly, it will actually make it harder for you to fully immerse yourself in any single task. [4] X Research source Write in a journal. This is a great way to slow down, to pause and reflect on your day, and to get your brain to process your experiences. You may discover new ideas and thoughts just by giving yourself time to write before moving on to the next task.
Not all of your “me time” has to be productive. Sometimes you just need to unwind a bit and to take time to rest. That’s fine, too. Protect your “me time” like it’s the hot date of your dreams. Don’t let last-minute plans or favors make you have to reschedule with yourself. Try waking up half an hour earlier just to have some time with yourself before you start your day. This can make you feel less rushed and hectic as you begin the usual grind.
You can tutor adults or children at your local library, work at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen, or help table for a worthy cause. Just making a habit of volunteering a few times a month will make you more compassionate and less self-obsessed.
Being less wasteful can also help you cultivate more gratitude and to really appreciate the world around you more by trying to cause as little damage as possible.
Write “thank you” cards to your friends and family members just to let them know how much they mean to you. Call up your parents or grandparents regularly. If you’re not living in the same place, then making an effort to call just to say hi—not because you want something—can help you maintain strong bonds and to enrich your life. When you do spend time with friends and family, make sure to make a real effort to ask how they really are doing; don’t just spend time with people to get things off your chest.
Focus on achieving small goals and know that you can choose to feel happy and fulfilled any time you want. You don’t need to feel like a failure or a loser just because you haven’t gotten where you’ve wanted to go quite yet. Make a list of all of the things you’ve accomplished and that you’re proud of. You’ll see that you’ve been working hard along the way and that you should already feel fulfilled and happy with yourself.
Make a gratitude list at least once a week. Write down every little thing you’re thankful for and then tape this list above your desk or keep it in your wallet. When you’re feeling down, read over the list to remind yourself of all of the great things you have going for you. Take the time to thank people, from your waitress to your mother, for all they have done for you. Look for opportunities to express gratitude and to let people know that what they do for you really does matter.
Remember that what’s great for your neighbor or your best friend may not be the best for you. Focus on doing what you need to make your life better and learn to shut out the other voices. Spending hours on Facebook can lead you to feel that your life, relationship, vacations, or family aren’t nearly as good as everyone else’s. If spending a lot of time on social media makes you feel inadequate about your own life, just stop. If you’re in a serious relationship, focus on doing what’s right for you based on your own timeline instead of trying to move in together, get engaged, or get married based on another couple’s standards.
The best way to live an enriching life is to improve yourself and to feel good about the choices you make. If you do this, it won’t matter if people think you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. Learn to follow your heart. If you want to study theatre instead of law, which is what your parents want, learn to accept that your life will be more enriching if you follow your dreams.
If you’re too focused on being perfect, then you won’t have time to step back and enjoy your life on its own terms, mistakes and all. Once you accept that you’ll never be 100% right all the time, you’ll be able to make much more interesting choices. If you really want to create meaningful bonds with people, then you have to let them see who you really are, flaws and all. If you want everyone to see you as this perfect person with no vulnerabilities, then people won’t feel like they can ever really open up to you or trust you.
You don’t want to look back on your life and wonder where all of those years went. Make an effort to live in the moment instead of always thinking ahead to the future, and you’ll be able to live a much more fulfilling, enjoyable life. Make more of an effort to do things “just because. ” Not every step you take or person you meet has to help you become more successful. Besides, if you’re never spontaneous, who knows how many opportunities you may miss out on over the course of your life.
If you feel like you’ve just been going through the motions and don’t really know what your life’s purpose is, then it’s worth it to take some time to slow down and do some soul-searching and to try new things in order to find it. Remember that it’s never too late. It’s okay if you don’t find an all-consuming purpose to give your life meaning. Just making an effort to steer your life in the direction of something that means a lot to you can make a big difference.
