Living Well

To me,  Living Well means –

Living in a way that’s sustainable

We all go through busy patches when we have more to do – it might be sick kids, a big work project, or helping a friend in need. But we can’t live well if we’re constantly moving from one busy stage to another.

I know because that’s the way I used to live. I didn’t make choices – I said yes to everything, pleased everyone and set impossibly high standards.

What I found down that path was that I couldn’t really enjoy any of it, and (this is a story for another time) I ended up burned out and sick.

Living Well also means Living in a way that’s intentional

We need to know what’s important to us and what things we can let go of – either activities and commitments that aren’t really important to us or letting go of standards that don’t serve us. Either way Living Well involves getting clear on priorities. Once we know our priorities, we know what to say yes to and what to say no to – and we can do it without as much indecision, angst and second guessing.

Living Well includes using our skills and gifts

A counsellor once said to me that I was living life like a series of projects to be managed. I was all about getting through what needed to be done in the most efficient way possible. What was missing was the things that made me feel like me.

I won’t say that I was quick to change, but what I’ve found is that when I invest time in my gifts and the things that make me feel like me, then the way I experience everything else changes and improves.

When I feel like me, I feel more able to accepting, patient and kind to others. I really see that in the dynamic with my husband and kids – how much more I have to give them.

Which leads into the next of living well –

Being our best selves – showing up as the people we want to be

For most of us there are qualities we want to show in our lives. For me it’s kindness, generosity, patience and the ability to be present with the people around me.

Whoever you want to be, there are conditions that will make those qualities flourish and other conditions that make those things nearly impossible. I know if I take on too much, I’ll be cranky, impatient and resentful. So, living well means understanding who we want to be, and how we can create the conditions in our lives that are more likely to make those qualities shine.

Lastly, I think Living Well means staying in our own lane

We’re all different and it doesn’t serve to compare ourselves to others or to think that we need to be or do what someone else is being or doing. The good thing is that the clearer we are on our own priorities, our gifts and who we are being, the easier it is to let go of other people’s opinions and resist the temptation to compare.

Living well means different things to different people, it might mean having lots of material possessions, exciting experiences, success in work or having quality relationships. But, regardless of what’s important to you, I believe that we need to be intentional. To Live Well we need to know what we want to move towards in our lives and what we want to move away from.

What about you?

What does Living Well mean to you?

What’s working in your life right now?

What’s not working?