Life has unexpected bends, some are delightfully surprising, and others… well, aren’t. But either way, as long as we’re on the road of life, there’s plenty to see and to experience and to be discovered by each one of us. And if we keep moving forward, letting our will carry us, we’re in for one fantastic journey.
Life is the ultimate road trip. For some people, the road is straight with just a few bumps along the way, but for most of us, that ride is full of curves, rough patches, and unexpected fun.
However your journey is, the key to living an inspired life is to explore it, own it, and keep moving forward. Bask in the precious privilege that is to be alive.
Here are our best tips that will allow you to keep moving forward and enjoy your journey while doing so.
1. Look for beauty and knowledge.
Just like when you find yourself contemplating how stunning the view is during a road trip, much of the beauty of life is in the details that could easily go unnoticed. Our world is filled with wonders, but we’re often simply too busy and don’t pay them the attention they deserve.
If you want to add more spark to your life, we suggest that as soon as you wake up, you take a couple of minutes to appreciate all the beauty that’s around you, and don’t be afraid to add to it during the day: look for beautiful art for your home, buy some flowers, take a picture of you smiling — the possibilities are endless. To honor knowledge, mentally list the things you learned during the day, just before you go to sleep. Try this little appreciation exercise every day, and you’ll soon start feeling more blessed than ever.
2. Focus on your destination but make sure to enjoy the ride as well.
Goals and desires are great because they keep us focused and give us a sense of purpose. But not everything’s about reaching a specific goal. Make sure to also enjoy the ride! After all, it’s during the process of achieving something that you make mistakes, learn, and become who you are. Arriving at your destination is wonderful, but aren’t the stories that happen during the journey the ones that stay with you the most?
3. Be prepared.
Like how you take precautions before going on a trip in order to enjoy it even more, you should also do that in your life’s journey. Being prepared for possible outcomes can reduce your stress and allow you to know where you’re standing. Take care of your health, invest on your self-growth, nourish your relationships, and last but not least, get your finances in order.
Being mindful about your economy will make you feel receptive to new experiences and adventures because the very act of being financially fit empowers women.
Life comes with many challenges and surprises, some of which we can’t really control, so let’s get up close and personal with the ones we do have a say over.
4. Respect your authenticity.
Everyone’s journey is different simply because each and every one of us is a unique human being with individual sets of qualities and flaws. This might seem obvious, but how many times have you compared your life to somebody else’s? It’s okay to admit it, we’ve all been there.
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that we are authentic and that the path we’re on is not everyone’s cup of tea — but the great thing is, it doesn’t have to be!
We recommend that you stop comparing yourself to everyone else and get comfortable in your skin. Knowing that our journey is only our own makes all our characteristics and quirks even more endearing.
The next time you get caught playing the comparison game, try to relax by taking a deep breath and shaking the extra weight off your back. Opt for (self-) kindness and remember that you don’t have to be at the same crossroads someone else is … or at the very least, not now.
5. Follow your curiosity.
Following one’s curiosity is an undemanding way to find the things that make you feel alive and vibrant. Although having your priorities straight is always a good idea, being open to explore new things (from recipes, to clothes, to hobbies, to actual trips) is a great way to keep your inner light on.
Author Elizabeth Gilbert encourages curiosity and compares multi-passionate people to hummingbirds that move feely from flower to flower and from tree to tree. This approach usually creates complex, rich, and satisfying lives. Even if you know exactly what you want, it’s still okay to take on new adventures and projects once in a while.
Is there something you’re curious about that you haven’t tried? Be a hummingbird and go do it. It may just be exactly what you need right now.
Keep putting one foot in front of the other, and enjoy your journey at your own pace.
You’re the only you who exists. Enjoy your journey.