Ava Sinclair
What does living your best life mean for you?
Like success, the definition of “best life” varies from person to person. For some, it could be living in a penthouse and getting to travel whenever they want.
For others, it’s a simple life surrounded by family and nature.
Whatever your version is, I think we can all agree that living your best life means living it in a way that fills you with joy and purpose.
But let’s face it, we don’t get there with a magic carpet or an off-on switch.
Living your best life is a result of consistent daily habits. The things we do day in and day out are what shape the entirety of our lives.
As the writer Annie Dillard once said, “How you spend your days is how you spend your life.”
So, in this article, I’m going to share with you these 9 daily habits that can truly lead you to live your best life.
Let’s dive in.
1) Prioritize your mental health
When we talk about living our best lives, we often focus on career success, financial stability, or exciting experiences.
But what about our mental health?
Make no mistake, your mental wellbeing is just as important as any other aspect of your life.
In fact, without a healthy mental state, all those other achievements can lose their shine.
Just look back at what the gymnast Simone Biles did in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
She chose to pause and take care of her mental health, sacrificing her chance to win the gold.
This is so important because, as the World Health Organization said, “[Being mentally healthy] enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”
Don’t all of those sound like ingredients for your best life?
So, to make your mental health a daily habit, start by checking in with yourself each day.
Take note of how you’re feeling, and don’t brush off any negative emotions or stress.
Take steps to manage these feelings – maybe it’s through meditation, exercise, or talking with a trusted friend or therapist.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. What’s important is that you’re taking active steps to nurture your mental health.
2) Practice gratitude daily
Now, you might be thinking, “What does gratitude have to do with living my best life?”
Well, as it turns out – a lot!
Research in the field of positive psychology has shed light on the profound effects of gratitude on our overall wellbeing.
It’s not just some feel-good concept, but something that can actually impact our mental health and happiness.
In essence, practicing gratitude means acknowledging the good things in your life.
It’s about appreciating what you have instead of always wanting more.
The beauty of gratitude is that it shifts our focus from what’s missing in our lives to what we already have.
And by doing this, we often realize that we have more than we think.
We get into a whole mindset of abundance.
That means, even if you’re not rich by society’s standards, you actually are in so many other ways, and you can recognize that!
So, start making it a habit to reflect on the positive aspects of your life every day.
It could be as simple as writing down three things you’re grateful for each morning or before bed.
This shift in perspective can make a world of difference in your quest to live your best life.
3) Embrace discomfort
Now, this might seem contradictory to the previous point.
After all, how can embracing discomfort contribute to living your best life?
Often, our instinct is to avoid uncomfortable situations.
But the truth is, discomfort is a part of life that we can’t – and shouldn’t – always dodge.
Why?
Because stepping out of our comfort zone is where growth happens.
It’s where we learn, adapt, and become better versions of ourselves.
This doesn’t mean you should seek out unnecessary pain or hardship.
But it does mean recognizing that discomfort often comes hand in hand with making progress towards your goals.
Whether it’s tackling a difficult project at work, having a tough conversation with a loved one, or pushing yourself physically in a workout – these uncomfortable moments are opportunities for growth.
4) Cultivate deep connections
In our hyper-connected world, it’s easy to mistake quantity for quality.
We may have hundreds of social media “friends,” but how many of those are genuine, deep connections?
The truth is, having meaningful relationships is a fundamental part of living our best lives. In fact, what the Harvard Study of Adult Development – the longest-running study on human happiness – found is that our deep relationships are the key to a good life.
So how do you cultivate these deep connections?
It starts with being present and genuine in your interactions.
Listen actively when others speak. Show empathy. Be there for them in times of need.
And don’t forget to open up too. Sharing your thoughts, fears, and hopes can help strengthen these bonds.
So make it a habit to invest time and energy into your relationships each day. Believe me, it’s the most worthwhile investment you’ll ever make.
5) Invest in self-care
We’ve all heard the term ‘self-care’, but it’s far more than just bubble baths and spa days.
In fact, self-care is an essential daily habit that can significantly contribute to us living our best lives.
But what does effective self-care look like? Here are a few ideas:
- Maintaining a healthy diet
- Getting regular exercise
- Ensuring adequate sleep
- Setting boundaries to protect your time and energy
- Pursuing hobbies and activities you enjoy
Now, it’s important to remember that self-care will look different for everyone.
What matters is that you’re prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing each day.
So, consider adopting some of these habits. You might just find they make a world of difference.
6) Practice mindfulness
Another reason why modern life can feel so stressful is that we don’t often practice mindfulness.
But if you want to live your best life, you have to learn this habit. Why? Because it trains you to live in the present.
Mindfulness is about being fully engaged. It’s about noticing the world around us, our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions without judgment.
When we practice mindfulness, we’re not only more aware of our own emotions and reactions, but we’re also more attuned to the needs of others.
And let’s be honest — isn’t that a vital part of living our best lives?
So, let’s make it a habit to take a few moments each day to simply be.
To breathe, to observe, and to fully experience the present moment.
Trust me, this simple daily habit can make a world of difference in your journey towards living your best life.
7) Foster a growth mindset
Imagine you’re faced with a challenging task — perhaps it’s learning a new skill, tackling a complex project, or facing a difficult conversation.
How do you react?
Do you shy away, convinced that you’re not capable? Or do you embrace the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and grow?
This is where the concept of a growth mindset comes into play.
Cultivating a growth mindset is a daily habit that can significantly contribute to living your best life.
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, a growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed with effort and perseverance.
It’s about viewing challenges as opportunities to grow rather than obstacles to avoid.
So ask yourself: Are you open to learning and improving, even when things get tough? Do you see failures as learning opportunities rather than dead ends?
If so, you’re on the right track.
8) Cultivate resilience
Resilience, in my experience, is one of those qualities that’s easier said than done.
I remember a time when I faced a significant setback in my career.
It felt like my world was falling apart.
But instead of letting it crush me, I chose to use it as a stepping stone. I learned from it, grew from it, and came out stronger on the other side.
That’s what resilience is all about.
It’s about bouncing back from adversity, learning from our mistakes, and using difficult experiences to grow and improve.
And let me tell you — this quality is absolutely vital when it comes to living our best lives.
Life is full of ups and downs. We all face challenges and setbacks.
But how we respond to these hurdles can make all the difference.
9) Find your purpose
Finally, I want to share with you perhaps the most important aspect of living your best life: finding your purpose.
Purpose is that deep-seated sense of meaning and direction in our lives.
It’s what drives us, motivates us, and gives us a reason to get up in the morning.
Without a clear sense of purpose, we can feel lost, unfulfilled, and disconnected from our lives.
But when we find it, everything changes.
We become more motivated, more resilient, and more satisfied. We’re able to make decisions that align with our values and aspirations.
When you have a ‘why’, life suddenly feels more meaningful, even if it isn’t perfect.
Make it a daily habit to connect with your purpose.
Whether it’s through meditation, journaling, or simply some quiet reflection — take time each day to remind yourself of what truly matters to you.
