What is Intentional Living?

Have you heard the term Intentional Living? You may have heard it but you may also not be sure exactly what it means. So today I am going to share with you what Intentional Living actually is, what are the benefits and why you should be doing it! 

WHAT IS INTENTIONAL LIVING?

Whenever I say I am a Simple Living Mentor and I help people live intentional lives, I always get the confused look and the inevitable question “so what does that mean” 

And actually, intentional living is a very simple concept. It is about YOU deciding to live a life that is in complete alignment to your personal values, which ultimately gives you purpose.   

When you live intentionally you decide what matters to YOU and you set the direction of your own life.  

Now you will have noticed I said and stressed the word YOU there multiple times. That is because in this fast paced, demanding, modern world, we are surrounded by distractions. And unfortunately if we do not set our intentions for our lives, the distractions take over and set intention for us. Which 9 times out of 10 is in complete dis-alignment with who we are and who we want to be.  

And before you know it, a lifetime has passed without you doing or being what you intended. I am sure a lot of you can relate to this – where you feel as though life is just running away with you and you haven’t been able to achieve what you wanted. So many of us live in stress or boredom, not full present or committed to the life we have been given. 

BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS – and that is why my job exists and why I do what I do. 

Now, let’s be honest – the real reason behind a lot of this overwhelm and unhappiness – is because most of us have lost control of our daily lives – because of these dam distractions. We have filled our days full from beginning to end with endless to dos and commitments: work, home, kid’s activities, community events, religious endeavours, hobbies… the list goes on. We are pulled from every angle which in turn keeps us from anything meaningful in our lives and leaves us with no white space.  

And actually, this white space is really powerful! This white space is what allows us to explore life, it helps us to realise what life could give us and what life could be. You can start asking yourself some powerful questions, that open you up to self knowledge.  

So in fact all we need to do is eliminate these distractions, this ‘stuff’ from our lives and the path will become so much clearer, we can start to understand ourselves more and what we want out of life – and ultimately consciously design our life 

LETS BE A LITTLE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHAT INTENTIONS ARE…. 

Every action you take starts with an intention, whether you want to clean your kitchen, run a marathon or even go out with a friend – that has been a decision you have made fuelled by the desire to make something happen.  

It starts with your intention and then it requires focus and action to make it happen. So by living an intentional life you are choosing to take action on your intentions. YOU are taking responsibility for the outcome. 

BUT WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LIVING INTENTIONALLY? 

1. Clarity of Purpose: Living intentionally allows you to have a clearer understanding of what you want out of life. It gives a sense of direction and helps filter out distractions or actions that don’t align with your core values and aspirations.
2. Greater Fulfilment: When you align your actions with your values and deeper desires, you experience greater satisfaction and fulfilment. You feel that your life has meaning and that you’re not just drifting aimlessly.
3. Improved Decision-Making: With a clear set of intentions, you can make decisions more confidently. You know what matters most to you, which helps you prioritise tasks and decide where to allocate your time and resources.
4. Increased Productivity: When you’re clear about your intentions, you’re more likely to stay focused on tasks that matter. This reduces procrastination and increases efficiency.
5. Enhanced Well-being: Living intentionally often leads to better mental and emotional well-being. By being in tune with your needs and taking steps to fulfil them, you foster self-care and reduce unnecessary stress.
6. Strengthened Relationships: When you are intentional about your relationships, you tend to invest more time and effort into nurturing them. This deepens connections and understanding with loved ones.
7. Adaptability: With a strong foundation of self-awareness and clear intentions, it becomes easier to adapt to unexpected changes. You can quickly assess how new situations align with your values and adjust accordingly.
8. Growth and Personal Development: Intentional living encourages self-reflection and self-improvement. By constantly assessing your actions and their alignment with your goals, you’re always in a mode of growth.
9. Reduced Regrets: By being proactive and conscious about your choices, you’re less likely to look back with regret. You’ve made decisions based on what you truly wanted, rather than what was merely convenient or pressured upon you.
10. Enhanced Resilience: When you’re grounded in your intentions and values, you’re better equipped to bounce back from setbacks. You have a deeper understanding of your ‘why’, giving you the motivation to overcome challenges.

Let me know in the comments what Intentional Living means to you and also if you have any questions or comments on what I have just shared.

---