You only live once, so you might as well start enjoying the life you have! Although most people think that you need tons of money and material things to enjoy your life, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Life is really what you make it. So even if you haven’t reached all of your goals or attained the life that’s on your vision board, you can still enjoy your life as it is today. Here are 20 simple ways to help you start enjoying the life you have.
1. Do a social media detox
You’ve probably heard the quote, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Unfortunately, social media is often our biggest culprit when it comes to comparing ourselves to others.
Doing a social media detox allows you to get away from an environment that causes you to compare yourself. It also frees up your time to do other things on this list!
2. Get outside
Research has proven that spending time outside is great for your mental and physical health. Not only do you need the fresh air, but you get to see the beauty of the earth that we live on.
When’s the last time that you’ve literally stopped and smelled the roses? If you can’t remember, it’s time to take a break and go outside. Feel the wind on your skin and enjoy the kiss of the sun.
3. Nurture your relationships
As humans, we’re designed to be in relationships with one another. We were created to be in a community, so isolation isn’t good for our mental health. That’s why cultivating great relationships is important.
Life's better when you have people to enjoy it with. Take time to call your friends and visit loved ones. Having great relationships will only help you enjoy your life even more.
4. Volunteer in your community
Taking time to help the less fortunate and even your community will give you a better appreciation for life. Make time to volunteer within your community. Not only will you feel great about making an impact, but you will be grateful for the things that you have.
5. Travel
Traveling is a great way to enjoy life. There’s something amazing about seeing the world and enjoying new experiences and cultures.
Of course, traveling should be something that you budget for and there are hacks to save on travel costs. Whether it's abroad or locally, just experiencing a new environment and culture is a great experience to enjoy.
6. Keep a gratitude journal
Gratitude breeds contentment. Taking time each day to jot down things that you’re grateful for will help you realize that your life isn’t as bad as you may think.
Learn how to be grateful for the small things in life. This will help you appreciate and enjoy them even more. A 30 day gratitude challenge is also a great thing to do!
7. Pamper yourself
Pampering yourself is a form of self-care and self-love. After all, if you don’t take care of yourself, who will? But just because you hear the word pamper doesn’t mean that it has to be expensive. There are plenty of ways that you can always pamper yourself on a budget, so finances shouldn’t be an excuse!
8. Exercise consistently
While you’re exploring self-care options, don’t forget about exercising. Taking care of your physical health is the best way to show self-care. Exercising keeps you in good health so that you can enjoy life for as long as possible.
9. Give yourself grace
At times we can be hard on ourselves when we haven’t accomplished certain goals by a specific date. Though it's great to have goals, we also have to give ourselves grace when things don’t go as planned. Life is a lot less stressful and enjoyable when you learn how to roll with the punches and pivot.
10. Celebrate your accomplishments
While giving yourself grace, don’t forget to celebrate when you do achieve those goals. Nothing is too small to celebrate!
Acknowledging your accomplishments gives you the push that you need to keep going. It also allows you to reflect on where you’ve come from so that you can have a moment of gratitude. Learn to acknowledge your wins and treat yourself for them!
11. Laugh often
Laughter is medicine for the soul. The great thing about laughter is that it doesn’t cost you anything—no pharmacy or insurance needed! Find the joy in life, even if it’s laughing at yourself.
12. Do things that you enjoy
It may seem simple enough, but sometimes we need a reminder to do things that we actually enjoy. As adults, we’re constantly doing things that we have to do, so it’s important to find time to do the things that you want to do.
Life shouldn’t just be about taking care of responsibilities. Find a hobby, learn a new skill--do things that make you happy.
13. Get out of debt
The pressures of being in debt can be overwhelming. It impacts your ability to travel and do the things that you enjoy. Knowing this, getting out of debt is certainly a way to enjoy life more.
Imagine life without owing student loans, having credit card payments, or even a car loan. Getting out of debt gives you the freedom to enjoy life without financial worry.
14. Save and invest for your future
The best way to enjoy today is by not worrying about tomorrow. When you’re not fretting over being financially secure in your future, it frees up that energy to focus on other things. Saving and investing for your future allows you to have this financial security.
15. Be present
In an age where everything is vying for our attention, it's important to be present. Being present means that you’re fully engaged in the moment with no distractions. Be sure to fully give your attention to the people you’re with. You’ll cherish those moments forever.
16. Get out of your comfort zone
Some of the greatest opportunities and experiences in life are on the other side of your comfort zone. If you want to experience life to the fullest, you’ll need to learn how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Do things that challenge you. Take risks. It all makes for a more enjoyable life.
17. Live by the Golden Rule
The law of reciprocity is true—you get what you put out. If you want to live a life that you enjoy, do things for others that you want for yourself. In other words, live by the Golden Rule. Be kind to others and also generous. You’ll not only get this in return, but it’ll make you feel great as well.
18. Always be yourself
Being yourself is the most freeing thing that you can do. Get comfortable in your own skin and don’t shrink or conform for others. By doing so, you’ll attract people who genuinely love you for who you truly are. This means that you can have more authentic and enjoyable relationships and experiences.
19. Make time to rest
Rest is essential for your wellness. It ensures that you’re able to be present and perform at your optimal self. This includes getting enough sleep, decompressing, and generally taking time to relax. Create a daily schedule that includes time for rest and relaxation so that you can enjoy other aspects of your life.
20. Learn new things
Learning a new skill can give you something else to enjoy. Whether it's picking up a new hobby or even studying a new language, they can all make great additions to your skillsets.
There are tons of free platforms that you can leverage to learn and explore new interests. We even have over 30+ completely free courses here at Clever Girl Finance. Take advantage of them and dedicate yourself to learning something new.
Focus on enjoying the life you have
As you can see, enjoying the life that you have doesn’t cost you much. It starts by finding joy in the things that are around you. It also requires you to try and experience new things.
Each of these tips are small steps that you can take to enjoy the life you have. Give them a try and see how much more you can enjoy your life!