How to Start Living Life to the Fullest

Five years ago, I decided to create Simply + Fiercely because I had a vision of helping others live life to the fullest.

Why am I so passionate about this?

Because the hard truth is I spent longer than I’d like to admit living life half lived. I wasted years on auto-pilot, going through the motions, and doing what was expected of me without much conscious thought.

I wasn’t happy but I used to think that it was “normal”—no one’s happy, right? We’re all tired, stressed, and living for some imaginary date in the future when life will hopefully get better.

If you’re nodding along, I want you to know that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to settle for just barely surviving.

Instead, you can draw a line in the sand and start living your best life right now.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean everything will be perfect (because it definitely won’t) and all your problems won’t just disappear overnight. I’m not promising a fantasy but I am offering a vision of an intentional life.

Whatever your situation, you can choose to move in the direction of your dreams—you just have to decide to begin.

Please note this post includes affiliate links. (Click here for my full affiliate disclosure statement.)

What Does it Mean to Live Life to the Fullest?

Let’s get started by talking about what it means to live life to the fullest.

As I’ve already mentioned, I don’t believe it’s about living a fantasy or rejecting reality. You don’t have to escape to a tropical island or win the lottery to find true joy.

Instead, I encourage you to look for the magic in your everyday life. What makes you feel alive? 

For me, it’s the small things—hot coffee in the early morning, watching my daughter giggle, and listening to my husband tell a bad joke—combined with a daily commitment to purposeful action.

I take small steps towards my big dreams every day by writing, learning new skills, living simply and saving money for the future.

I still pay bills, wash dishes and deal with temper tantrums but my life is rich and beautiful nonetheless. It’s about balance and continual refinement—a slow and steady process of doing more of what matters and less of everything else.

If you’re ready to start living life to the fullest, then this is your starting point. Listen to your heart and define what matters most to you.

After all, it’s hard to know where to go if you don’t choose a direction—so ask yourself:

• What makes you get up in the morning?
• What makes a day feel “well-lived”?
• What really matters most to you?

I recommend investing some serious time and energy into these questions (this will help you if you get stuck) and then try out some of the following tips.

Stop settling and start living the life you know you deserve.

DITCH THE AUTOPILOT

We all tend to live on autopilot, often more than we realise. We make choices out of habit, with a lack of true attention to what we’re doing, and we’re left feeling numb. (If you’ve ever gone to bed wondering where the day went, then you know exactly what I mean!)

Challenge yourself to intentionally turn off autopilot by paying attention to the little things. Be present, practice gratitude, and take notice of the beautiful moments. I can almost guarantee that if you do, it will make life feel fuller and more vibrant.

DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

OK, I know this sounds obvious but honestly—how much time do you spend doing what makes you happy?

If you want to live your best life, then you need to start doing more of the things you “wish” you could do. Make your happiness a priority, even if it’s only for a few minutes every day and see how it changes everything.

Also, on a related note, stop worrying so much about what other people will think. Letting go of the opinions of others and prioritising what YOU want most can be scary but it’s an exhilarating step towards living a fuller life.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

It’s so much easier to enjoy life when you’re feeling your best physically, so take care of yourself the best you can.

I know this is sometimes easier said than done and for some people, it’s an uphill battle due to circumstances beyond their control. Still do what you can with the resources you have available— and if you’re healthy, don’t take it for granted.
Simple things like eating well, gentle movement, and making time for self-care can make the biggest difference in how you experience the world. Also, don’t neglect your mental health. There’s no shame in asking for help if you need it.

IMPROVE YOUR FINANCES

I’ll be honest … I don’t really like writing about money but there’s no denying the important role it plays in our lives. Money isn’t everything but it undoubtedly makes life easier—money buys freedom and freedom gives us options.  gherry.com

A simple way to get started with improving your finances is by paying attention to your spending. Remember that living the fullest doesn’t necessarily mean buying all the things! In fact, opting for simpler purchases and surroundings often allows us to feel freer and lighter.

Take steps to stop mindless shopping, work towards becoming debt-free, and learn to be happy with what you have. I used to be in a lot of debt myself so I know how hard it can be to turn things around but just start small and talk to a professional if you need help.

WORK ON YOUR MINDSET

One thing I’ve learned over the years is the value of mindset. Your thoughts create feelings and your feelings create actions. What you believe and how you choose to see the world shapes your life.

Amazing and fulfilling things are happening all around us every day. The more you take notice of them, the more you’ll see new and exciting opportunities in your own life.

Of course, I’m not suggesting that you turn a blind eye to harsh realities or practice toxic positivity. It’s OK to feel sad, hurt or scared—we all do sometimes—but when you’re ready, you can shift your mindset by actively looking for the good in life.

Remember that “where your attention goes, your energy flows” (attributed to James Redfield).

CREATE INTENTIONAL, SIMPLE ROUTINES

There’s a big difference between “falling into a habit“ and creating routines in an intentional way. Decide what matters most to you and then actively create daily routines that ensure these things are attended to. Don’t leave the things you value most up to chance.

BE WILLING TO FAIL

“A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” —John A. Shedd

Here’s a hard-learned truth for you: if you want to live life to it’s fullest, then you must be willing to fail. You will need to take risks, be vulnerable, and do scary things with no guarantee of success.

It will feel uncomfortable but do it anyway because the alternative is a life half lived. The pain of failure is not as bad as the pain of regret.

If this is hard for you, then I recommend reading this book for inspiration.

CHOOSE A THEME FOR THE YEAR

Consider choosing a theme that encompasses what you want for the year and allowing it to be your guide. This is a way of turning your vision of “living life to the fullest” into something more tangible.

For example, if you want to spend more quality time with family and loved ones, deciding on “connection” as your theme might inspire you to stay focused on your relationships throughout the year.

FORGIVE YOURSELF

This is a big one, my friends.

SO many people want to live a great life but consciously or not, they hold themselves back. On some level, they feel like they don’t deserve joy—often because of a past mistake.

We punish ourselves or we become paralysed with fear about messing up again, so we hold ourselves back. It might be limiting but it feels safer than getting hurt.

If you can relate to this, then I invite you to forgive yourself. Treat yourself with the kindness that you’d normally reserve for others and by forgiving your past, you’ll gift yourself the freedom to move forward.

In the words of Mel Robbins: “If you had known better or if you could have done better, you would have.” No doubt this holds true for you. It’s okay to give yourself permission to move on—to forgive yourself—and to live your life well.