Intentional living is a lifestyle based on an individual’s or group’s conscious efforts to live in accordance with their values and beliefs. These can include lifestyles based on religious, political or ethical values, as well as for self-improvement. The history of intentional living is rooted in ancient intentional communities like ashrams and Buddhist monasteries. Still, the modern concept is often traced to 19th-century philosophical discussions and the broader utopian movements of the era. It involves consciously living according to personal values and beliefs, a practice that can be seen in various forms throughout history, from communal living in hunter-gatherer societies to the deliberate, values-based choices in modern intentional living.
Structures for living that were based on particular spiritual or ethical principles were established by the earliest intentional communities, such as ashrams, which were established around 1500 BCE. The philosophical concept of “intentionality” was reintroduced in the 19th century by philosopher Franz Brentano, laying some of the groundwork for a more individualistic understanding of intentionality.
The Purpose of Intentional Living in Our Daily Lives
The purpose of living intentionally is to savor every single moment of our daily routine. It is a process of making mundane tasks more meaningful, of slowing down in our lives and experiencing by being more present.
Sounds interesting?
But how do we do it?
By knowing who you are.
Knowing your values and priorities is necessary before you can begin living an intentional life. These are the things that matter most to you and shape your decisions. It is difficult to lead a life of purpose and fulfilment if one does not have a clear focus.
Consider what you value in life. What traits do you most admire in yourself and others?
There are so many values to pick from. For example: travel, family, loyalty, honesty, and many more. Choose what resonates with you.
But if you’re struggling to define your values, take a moment to close your eyes and visualise. What does your ideal life look like? What principles guide that way of life? You can use this as a starting point to make a decision.
So, you need to define your core values and what drives you. Take some time for reflection. Your values will be the driving force behind living with purpose.
You will be able to make choices and take actions that are in line with your core values once you are aware of them.
By having a growth mindset
Intentional living is a lifestyle and mindset. To succeed, you need to have the right attitude. A growth mindset is required, not a fixed one. Imagine your child bringing their most recent exam home from school. Someone with a growth mindset might say, “Wow, you studied so hard!” Growing and learning are emphasised. Whereas someone with a fixed mindset would say, “You’re so smart.” This implies an innate ability to be smart rather than emphasising learning. This distinction is crucial. Similar to planting. You’re planting seeds and encouraging them to grow. You have to nurture your growth mindset for the roots to take hold. Your plant will thus expand. If you don’t care for your plant, it will never grow. You have a growth mindset because you believe that hard work and dedication can help you learn new skills. By adopting a growth mindset, you can meet obstacles and embrace imperfection
Paying attention to your words, you can work on the art of soft speaking.
Engaging in deliberate practice, you can learn more about yourself by learning from your mistakes.
The belief that you are capable of change is the most crucial component of a growth mindset. You don’t let limitations hold you back.
By making your surroundings work for you
Make your environment work best. Your well-being is significantly influenced by your environment. From your friends and family to your possessions, everything in your environment has an impact. When it comes to eliminating your surroundings, you must be brutal. You receive thousands of different messages each day. You have to filter and consciously choose what you consume.
Take into account everything you consume, including books, advertisements, television shows, social media, and so on. Every material and person has a direct impact on you. They tell you what to like, think, and buy. You will fall for these messages if you aren’t careful. You’ll lose sight of the bigger picture and give in to comfort. Cut out all the negativity in your life. Get rid of the things that don’t make you feel good. You might want to think about going minimalist, even though doing so would be beneficial rather than necessary. Minimalism does not imply getting rid of everything you own. It entails getting rid of things that don’t align with your principles. Minimalism is about aligning values and possessions. Optimise the things that make you happy and get rid of the things that don’t.
Learn the power of no.
Accept the Power of “No.” Living a life of purpose necessitates learning to say “no.” Saying “no” is often viewed as hostile or aggressive, but it’s not. It is a potent instrument for establishing boundaries and preserving energy and time. Because they are afraid of missing out on opportunities or disappointing other people, many people have trouble saying “no.” However, if you say “yes” to everything, you may experience burnout and resentment. It is essential to acquire the ability to say “no” to commitments and activities that do not reflect your values and priorities. Practice saying “no” with firmness but respect. It may initially feel awkward, but practice will make it easier. When saying “no,” assertive communication strategies can also be helpful. Conflicts and misunderstandings can be avoided by using “I” statements and stating your needs and boundaries in a clear way. For example, saying, “I need to take some time for myself right now” rather than “I can’t help you right now” can help communicate your boundaries better.
If you want to keep your mental health and well-being, you need to set limits. Studies have shown that setting boundaries can reduce stress, improve relationships, and increase self-esteem. You can safeguard your time and energy and lead a life that is more fulfilling and centered by learning to say “no” and setting limits.
Regular Self-Reflection
Regularly conduct self-reflection and evaluation. Reflection and self-assessment are essential for living with intention. By reflecting on your experiences and assessing your progress, you can gain valuable insights into your personal growth and development.
Journaling is an effective way to engage in regular reflection. You can gain clarity and perspective on your life by writing down your ideas and experiences. Setting aside time to reflect on your progress toward your goals and aspirations is also helpful.
Meditation is another effective tool for self-reflection. You can improve your self-awareness and gain insight into your inner self by sitting down and focusing on your thoughts and feelings. Engaging in creative pursuits can also be a powerful way to engage in self-reflection. Emotional processing and establishing clear values and priorities can be helped by engaging in artistic pursuits like painting or writing. You stay grounded by reflecting on a regular basis. It’s a reminder to come back to yourself when things get tough. When life knocks you down, you get back up. You give yourself stability by keeping a journal, meditating, and engaging in creative activities regularly.
Have a personal life mission
A guiding principle for intentional living is a personal life mission statement. It’s a concise statement that captures your values, aspirations, and goals and reminds you of what’s important to you. Your individual mission statement will serve as your life’s compass. It will guide you to your true North and help you live in a way that aligns with your goals and values. Your mission can be stated succinctly in one or two sentences.
Crafting a personal life mission statement requires introspection and self-awareness. Creating a meaningful mission statement can be accomplished in a variety of inventive ways, such as by incorporating personal values or visual aids. Your mission statement is not a fixed statement; rather, it is a living testimony to your changing self. Regular reviews and revisions are essential to keep it aligned with your shifting values and priorities. As you grow, your mission statement should also mirror your life’s metamorphosis.
Conclusion: Living A Happier Life through imperfections
Life is exhausting. Some days are hard, boring, or frustrating. Every experience need not necessarily be turned into a meditation to practice intentional living. It indicates that we remain open to the possibility that something might be important even in those instances. It’s reminding ourselves that even on an ordinary day, with all its messiness and discomfort, we’re still in possession of a fragile, temporary gift. Letting go of the idea that meaning can be found somewhere else is part of living with intention. that if we keep pushing, we will eventually arrive at it. Instead, it asks us to stop. To notice. To find meaning in what’s already here. It’s choosing to look at the person in front of you when you’re in a line. It’s resisting the urge to always fill the silence.
Even though ordering takeout and watching television would be easier, it’s making time and space for a private dinner. Acceptance of the fact that sometimes life is just a walk, a conversation, or a cup of tea shared is the whole point of living an intentional life. But a life that’s noticed, tended, and ultimately, remembered, not just for its highlights, but for its depth, its messiness, and its beauty. A life without intention risks becoming a series of missed encounters, a chain of experiences that pass by without ever truly being inhabited. However, a life lived with intention, in which art, love, and beauty are not things we wait for but things we cultivate and prepare ourselves to notice, provides a far richer experience.
