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Are you happy with the life you have?
Do you wish you could live a different one?
It’s time to take the first step and create the life you’ve always wanted.
To do this, start by making a list of your dreams and goals. Once you’ve got a good idea of what you want, start planning ways to make them a reality.
Work toward your dreams relentlessly, and before you know it, you’ll be living the life of your dreams.
The key takeaway of this post is to focus on your goals, find your purpose, and take mindful steps to build the life you desire.
Here are a few other things you will learn while reading:
- Identify Your Dreams: Encourages creating a list of dreams and goals as the first step toward building the life you want.
- Take Risks: Overcoming fear and taking risks to achieve happiness and fulfillment.
- Discover Your Purpose: Introduces the Japanese concept of “Ikigai” (life’s purpose) to help guide personal growth and satisfaction.
- Be Present: Emphasizes mindfulness and staying focused on the present moment.
And, if you are short on time, feel free to jump to a section by clicking anything you want to read more about below!
Taking Risks
If you have read Wilde Escape, you know that I have been slowly creating the life I want.
After a divorce, I started reflecting on my life and finding out what makes me happy.
This was also when I started looking at my finances and determined that I would leave the stresses of my life, the main one being my job.
I’ll be the first to tell you that’s a tough decision. But if you set some boundaries and goals, you will start to discover what makes you happy.
Taking risks is never easy, but I couldn’t be happier now that it’s been a few years.
The main issue with taking risks is the fear of the unknown. If you are like me, you have to make pros and cons lists and have contingency plans. Or another way of putting it, plan B, C, and D options. You never know what could happen.
Once all this is in place and you focus on what makes you happy, you can discover the life you want to live is not as far away as you might think.
What Life Do You Want to Live?
People want to do many different things in life. Some want to work and make a living, while others want to travel the world and see everything.
Some people want to be stay-at-home parents or live a simple life.
The question most people ask themselves is, what life do they want to live? I would even add the question I think everyone should answer, What truly makes you happy?
I’m not sure about you, but it seems that every year, around this time, I start to reflect on my life. I think about the changes that have happened, the goals I set, and even when my next road trip will be.
Back to reality
It’s been almost a year since I returned from the longest road trip I’ve taken (so far to date).
Since I’ve returned, it hasn’t taken long to miss road life. This is also one of the things that makes me happy!
Ultimately, these are some of the things I want to achieve daily in my life.
If you read that other post, you know a few things, including not waking up without an alarm clock, making coffee in a random location, daily hiking, and taking a few hours to do what I want. Not to mention all the beautiful areas you get to camp in!
Another thing that happens to you is that days seem to go by faster. If you stop for a second, you realize that life has taken over. You don’t seem to have the time I want to do what I want.
You are woken up daily by an alarm clock, drink your coffee on the way to work, and hiking consists of walking to the office.
Basically, you are working for the weekend. That is if you can disconnect and enjoy the weekend. Only to realize that you are stressed when Sunday night rolls around.
So maybe we should focus on giving ourselves something to live for. Whatever that might be.
Discovering What Your Life Purpose Is
I’ve been reading a lot lately, which has been amazing! One of the new terms I started looking into is a Japanese term, Ikigai (pronounced as “ee-key-guy”).
You might wonder what that has to do with creating a life you’ve always wanted.
Well, I’m glad you brought that up. Ikigai, in the simplest terms I could find, is a life purpose or a reason to live.
This truly makes you happy. It’s essentially a quest that gives our lives meaning and purpose.
While researching this new term, I found that finding your ikigai isn’t easy. But once you do, it will help you become thrilled and fulfilled.
Looking Into Ikigai
Taking a closer look at this concept, you will learn that ikigai has a meaning in life and ikigai has a meaning of benefit.
So when referring to Ikigai, you are referring to something that gives your life meaning. I like the importance of helping you become happier and more creative or giving you a reason to live.
As I searched for my ikigai, I found that it’s why I wake up in the morning. It’s something that helps push me to achieve my perfect life.
The time is now
People in this world seem to get so much done it doesn’t seem real.
These people have careers, businesses, and families and still have time to have a beer with friends and coach a kid’s soccer team.
It’s crazy to think that they can get all this done. Just remember that we all have the same 24 hours in a day. It’s time to focus on what makes you happy.
Together we are going to achieve our perfect lives.
Once you start looking at your days, you might see a lot of wasting time. I know I did once I started noticing how much Netflix I watch.
Next, spend a few minutes listening to a video from Alam Watts: The Dream of Life.
One Way You Can Change Today
You can do many things to change your life for the better today. Whether you want to lose weight, get more out of your work or school, improve your relationships, or feel happier, there are simple steps that you can take to make a difference in your life.
Here are four ways to start today:
- Make a plan.
- A specific goal will help you stay focused and motivated to reach your destination.
- When needed, ask for help, but don’t be afraid to take on tasks alone.
- Stay positive and optimistic.
Something that has helped me with this process is to start being present in the moment.
The best example I can think of. How often do you eat lunch, think about the million things you must do, prepare for your next meeting or return emails?
Do you even remember what you had for lunch today, much less yesterday?
What did it taste like? Did you appreciate your meal, smell your meal, and see what it looked like? Did you notice the temperature, texture, and taste when you took a bite?
I know I didn’t.
Once you are present in the moment, you will also begin to notice the things around you. You will see something for the first time, smell things in the air, and feel the area around you.
So for the next week try being present. Stop and look around you when you realize you are “multitasking” at lunch. Bring your mind back to the present moment.
Smell the air, taste the food, and all the sounds around you. Savor each bite you put in your mouth.
During this challenge next week. You want to be present in the moment. Here are a few examples I’m going to do:
- When you are working, do the work.
- If you are writing, be laser-focused on what you are writing about.
- When you are at the gym, focus on movements, how your body feels, smells, etc.
Wrapping It All Up
I hope this has got you thinking about what kind of life you want to live.
Just remember, this is not something that will happen overnight.
Are you happy with where your life has led you?
Do you want to be stuck in a job you hate for the rest of your life?
Or do you want to travel the world and see new things?
The choice of where you are going from today is yours, and you can make it happen.
Let’s not waste our days and start focusing on what we want in our lives.
Finding what makes us happy will be different for everyone.
Focus on finding your ikigai, and let me know in the comments below!
I can’t wait to hear what it is.
To achieve your goals, you will need to work hard and dedicate yourself. So don’t give up, and keep pushing forward. Thanks for taking the time to read this!
Don’t forget to let me know what you think about finding your ikigai in the comments below!
It’s definitely time for you to take another road trip!
Even if it’s a shortish one.
Anyone that reads your blog knows how much you love it, so treat yosefl!
It makes me happy to know you are working on creating the life you want.
Bonus that it includes me.
One point you made that I disagree with:
I’m not sure about focusing on what your body smells like at the gym. Yiikes!
Unless, of course, it smells of freshly laundered workout clothes.
Ha! That made me laugh.
And I think everyone needs to have an escape! Going on more hikes and a few bike rides have helped me. Not to mention I think it’s the best thing you can do for your mental health (getting outside and staying present in the moment). The fresh air, sounds of nature, wind, and so on are AWESOME!
To that, I have two small trips set up for this week. Not sure if they will turn into a few days, but we shall see!