Kiran Athar
Life has a way of making us forget just how good we’ve got it.
From stress at work, to “perfect” lifestyles shown on Instagram, it’s easy to get caught up in what we “could” have instead of what we’ve already got.
So, if you’re looking for a bit of clarity, here are 10 signs you’re actually living a great life, even if you don’t always realize it.
Let’s jump straight in:
1) You have a loving family
In a world where so many people have either lost family or have strained relationships, if you’re on good terms with your parents or siblings, count yourself lucky!
Now, I don’t mean to say that you play happy families all day long.
That’s unrealistic.
But in general, if you know you can count on them, trust them, and feel loved by them, you’ve got a pretty nice life, even if it doesn’t always feel that way.
The truth is, having a parent to call when you’re having a bad day, or someone who cares enough to remember your favorite soup when you go to visit is incredibly heartwarming.
So, keep your loved ones close. Appreciate them.
There’s no doubt you’ll miss them immensely when they’re not around anymore.
2) You have a bed to sleep in and food to eat
Another sign that life is great is if you have a comfortable bed to sleep in, food in the fridge, and you’re never worried about where your next meal is coming from.
In the US alone, just over half a million people this year are considered homeless.
That’s a pretty stark percentage, and one I try to remember whenever I’m having a bad day.
Because ultimately, no matter how terrible my day at work was, I know I’m coming home to a cozy, safe, environment where I can indulge my worries in a healthy, home-cooked meal.
When you adopt an attitude like this, it’s not to diminish your problems (they are absolutely valid and should be addressed), but it’s easier to be appreciative of the things you do have.
3) You feel safe
Feeling safe in your home is such an underrated feeling.
I went from living in a fairly large town, which wasn’t the most dangerous place, but equally not somewhere you can let your guard down.
Now, I live in a small rural village where most people leave their doors unlocked. I don’t remember the last time I had to look over my shoulder or worry about keeping the front door closed.
It provides such a sense of peace and security, it’s priceless.
So, if you also feel the same way in your home, count yourself lucky.
There are many people who can’t afford to live in such luxury, or who are experiencing abuse within their own homes. Peace, sadly, isn’t an option for them.
4) You’ve got access to knowledge and education
Another sign you’re actually living a great life is if you have access to education.
Imagine being passionate about a subject, but not having the internet, books, or schools to learn about it.
It’d be incredibly frustrating.
But you, you’ve got the opportunity to learn new things all the time. At a click of a button.
If you fancy changing your career path, you can.
If you want to learn how to bake a cake, you can.
With knowledge and education comes opportunity. And with opportunity comes better living standards and a happier outlook on life in general.
And hey, if life isn’t feeling so great right now, you have the power to change it. And that’s something you should never forget.
5) You’re not worrying over your next paycheck
It’s not something everyone is blessed with. And that’s not to say you haven’t had to work hard for where you are in your career, but it’s something you should appreciate nonetheless.
If you live comfortably and can afford nice things in life, you’re better off than many right now, especially with the cost of living crisis.
Being able to buy food, pay your bills, run a car, or even own your own home should give you peace of mind.
And to keep things in perspective, your, mine, and everyone else’s financial positions can change in an instant.
All it takes is cuts at work, an injury, or an elderly parent falling sick to turn it all around.
So, appreciate it while you have it, budget when needed, and make sure you’ve got savings for the future!
6) You find happiness in the small things
When you’re able to find happiness in small things, such as reading a book, taking a walk, or eating a delicious meal, it’s a sign that life is going well for you.
You’re not inundated with tons of stress. You haven’t lost your appetite because of anxiety. You’re focused and content because you’re not sleep-deprived.
I’ve often made the mistake of telling certain friends to just “relax” and “enjoy the moment”.
But many of them struggled to do so, and eventually, I understood…how can they, when they have the weight of the world on their shoulders?
It’s hard for them to quieten the voices in their mind and simply find happiness in small things.
So if you’re able to live in the moment and find such happiness, count your blessings, it’s a sign that in general, your life is pretty great.
7) You’re comfortable in your own skin
Feeling at home within yourself is like a superpower.
You aren’t constantly worried about what other people think of you, and you don’t crave being around others all the time.
You find peace and contentment in your own company.
Forget comparing yourself to others, or berating yourself for having flaws. You own your flaws, you know your strengths, and you’re living authentically.
This is another sign you’re living a great life, even if it doesn’t always seem that way.
The truth is, having this harmony within yourself is something most people can only dream of.
The fact that you’ve got there is a telling sign.
8) You’re fortunate enough to travel
It seems like everyone is jetting off on exciting holidays, filling their social media with pretty sunset pictures and selfies by the pool.
But, actually, there are many who aren’t fortunate enough to do this.
I know of plenty of families who are struggling financially, and even planning a day out locally is considered a treat, let alone boarding a plane to somewhere exotic.
So, the next time you’re booking a flight, remember, you’re in a good position to be able to do this.
And let’s be honest – travel is such an invigorating, soul-warming, eye-opening experience.
Being able to make such memories, to me, signifies you’re living the good life!
9) You have good health
Ever heard the expression, “Health is wealth”?
They weren’t lying! If you’ve got good health, you get to do everything you want, pain-free. Work, run, play with your kids, whatever it is.
You’re not sitting in a hospital multiple times a week. You’re not breaking sad news to loved ones. And you’re not turning down invites because your body simply can’t cope with leaving the house.
If there’s one thing we should have learned from Covid, is that life is precious.
We need to enjoy it and appreciate it while we can!
10) You have freedom of expression
And finally, if you’re able to express yourself freely, without fear of a government, boss, or partner punishing you for it, you’re certainly living a great life.
All you need to do is turn on the TV to see how many people struggle to have their voices heard or their rights recognized.
I’ve personally come from a culture where freedom of expression, especially for females, is heavily policed.
So, when I broke free and started living life on my own terms, I finally got a taste of what it’s like to dress the way I want, voice my opinions, and make my own choices.
It’s incredibly empowering.
So, if you’re able to express yourself without fear, count yourself privileged. You have a voice and you’re able to use it.
If at any point life isn’t going well for you, you’re in a position to make positive changes.
Final words
To summarize, this list isn’t trying to make out that your life is perfect, and you experience no problems. Not at all.
We all go through ups and downs, and no one has it all. But, sometimes, it helps to be reminded of the small things in life which actually make it great.
I hope this list did that for you!
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