Live The Life YOU Want To Live, Not The One You THINK You Should

This is a quote I have stated in many previous articles and podcasts so I thought I'd write an article explaining the full meaning behind it.

You should not feel constrained by societal norms, cultural expectations, or the expectations of family, friends or mentors but instead you should strive to live a life that is authentic to YOUR own values, goals, and aspirations. 

In this article, I will explain the importance of living an authentic life and the benefits it can bring.

This quote is a reminder to not let societal expectations or the expectations of others dictate how you live your life. 

Instead, it's to encourage you to make decisions based on what is true to you and your values. 

It is important to be aware of the choices you make and to ensure that you are living a life that is in alignment with your own values and beliefs. 

When making decisions, it is essential to remember that no one else can define your happiness but you. 

Do not settle for anything less than the life you truly want.

Having a clear sense of what we want out of life is essential for achieving our goals and living a life that is true to us. 

There is nothing better than waking up to a life you can't wait to go and live.

There is nothing worse than waking up to a life you hate living.

We must identify our values and use them as a guide for making decisions. 

We should take the time to reflect on our goals and the steps we can take to achieve them. 

This may require taking a step back and evaluating the current state of our lives and what we can do to make it better.

Living the life we want is not always easy and it may require us to make very hard decisions and sacrifices.

Many of us feel pressure to live a life that is in line with what society, parents, mentors or our peers expect of us. 

It is easy to get caught up in the expectations of others and forget to focus on living the life we truly desire. 

Society often imposes a certain idea of what is considered a "successful" or "ideal" life, which can include things like:

• Getting a certain type of job
• Getting married
• Having a certain amount in the bank by a certain age
• Having children
• Living in a certain place
• Wearing certain clothes
• Driving a certain type of vehicle

And so on...

However, these expectations may not align with an individual's true passions, values, and aspirations. 

Living the life one thinks they should, often means living a life that is not authentically their own. 

This can lead to feelings of resentment down the line.

On the other hand, living the life YOU want to live, means:

Pursuing YOUR own passions

Pursuing YOUR own Ideas, interests, and goals, regardless of what others may think or say. 

It means being true to oneself and living in a way that brings genuine happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. 

The decision to live authentically can be difficult, as it requires you to break free from societal expectations and to forge your own path. 

But the rewards of doing so are well worth the effort.

Living an authentic life also means taking responsibility for one's own happiness and fulfillment. 

It means not relying on external validation or the approval of others to feel good about oneself. 

Instead, it means finding a sense of self-worth and validation from within. This can be a powerful source of self-confidence and self-esteem.

Furthermore, living authentically also means being true to your own values and beliefs. It means standing up for what you believe in, even if it goes against the norm. 

This can lead to a sense of personal integrity and a strong sense of self. It also means being honest with yourself and others, which can lead to deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Another reason why people feel trapped in a life they don't want is because they are too focused on pleasing others or meeting external expectations. 

They are more concerned with what others think or say, rather than living a life that brings them genuine happiness and fulfillment. 

When you choose to go down this path, you have to be willing to disappoint people in the short term.

But it's important to remember that you have the right to make your own choices and live your life as you see fit. You should focus on your own happiness and fulfillment, rather than trying to please others or meet external expectations.

Another important step in living the life you want to live is to let go of the past and focus on the present. 

This means letting go of regrets, mistakes, and negative experiences. Instead, focus on the present moment and on creating a positive future. When you let go of the past, you will be able to move forward and create a better future for yourself.

How can you move forward if you're still holding onto the past?

For as long as you continue to hold onto the past, your life will be stuck where it currently is.

It's important to remember that change doesn't happen overnight. 

It takes time and effort to create the life you truly want. 

But with determination, a good well thought out plan and perseverance, you can make it happen. 

The first step is to take a good look at yourself and your current situation. 

Ask yourself what it is that you truly desire in life? 

What are your passions, your interests, your goals? If you don't have any passions, just think about what is the desired type of lifestyle you would ideally like to be living.

Once you have a clear understanding of what you truly want, it's time to start making changes.

One step at a time, you can start to make changes in your life that will bring you closer to the life you truly desire.

NOTE: Again, these changes will take time, it may take 3-5 years to completely turn your life around. But you should be seeing progression within 6-12 months of implementing these new changes.

If you've been doing the new changes for 6-12 months and you have not seen any signs of progression then it's time to formulate a new plan and strategy.

Turning your life around can be a challenging process that may take a significant amount of time and effort. 

The specific length of time and difficulty will depend on the specific changes you are trying to make and your personal circumstances. 

It's important to have a plan, set achievable goals, and work towards them consistently. 

Remember that change is a journey, not a destination and it's okay to stumble and make mistakes along the way. 

It's important to be kind to yourself and to remember that progress, not perfection is what matters.

It's also important to recognise that the journey of living the life you truly want to live can be challenging and you will face obstacles along the way. But don't let these obstacles discourage you. 

Instead, use embrace the discomfort.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable whilst you are in this phase.

Remember, every obstacle is an opportunity to learn and grow, and it will make you more resilient in the long run.

Conclusion

Living the life we want is not always easy or straightforward, but it is possible. 

By being mindful of our decisions and staying true to our values, we can make progress towards a life that is more fulfilling and meaningful. 

We must take ownership of our lives and make decisions that are in line with our goals and dreams. 

The reward of living an authentic life that brings genuine happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose, is immeasurable. 

It brings a life you can't wake up to instead of one where you're hurrying through the day.

Embrace this journey

Be prepared to disapoint a few people 

Be prepared to be uncomfortable and confused sometimes

Be true to yourself and don't be afraid to chase your dreams, (Do it responsibly of course) 

Live the life you want to live, not the one you think you should.

- Till Next Time