Why It Matters to Live Your Best Life
What is your 'best life'?
I was talking yesterday with friends about people who have passed away. One was saying that when her Mum died, the saddest thing was finding brand new Easter themed dishtowels (unopened), expensive perfume (unopened), brand new clothes being kept 'for good'. Kept for days which never came.
We've all heard that 'every day is a special day' and 'live for the now'. It's not just in the stuff you have but in the things you do.
And it does matter! It does matter to wake up every day in a clear space. In YOUR space. It matters to drink tea from your favourite mug, wear clothes that make you feel fabulous, do things that make you feel fulfilled.
It matters to keep things, however small, that are part of you and your story.
It matters to clear away everything unwanted, unhelpful and excessive so you can LIVE!
I had a 'me day' recently and realised that everyone has a different idea of what a 'perfect day' is for them. In the same way, everyone has a different vision of their 'perfect life', their 'best life'.
My day started with an early morning fitness class (the first for a week as I hadn't been well). It felt so good to be up early and to move again. Then I had brunch in my favourite cafe and did some writing. Then a coffee in another cafe (for change of scene and some more writing). Then a trip to my favourite shop to look for some very specific things - actually some storage for an area I have fully decluttered. I came home and had a lovely lunch and did some more decluttering. I took my time. I did some more writing and made some homemade chicken soup. Finished with a chat with my parents, emailed some friends, then a book and bed.
I had been planning and looking forward to the day for weeks and it did not disappoint! I think it was because it was tied to my biggest goals at the moment and the things I value.
Obviously, every day can't be like that and it wouldn't be the same if it were. We have to work, to earn, to look after ourselves and we can't live all aspects of life in one day.
The power of the 'me day' is that it can be a window into your 'best life' and a little taste of how that could be. It's like the exercise 'if you had a day completely to yourself, how would you spend it?' It's a great question to ask because a day can be a microcosm for your life. How do I want to spend today = how do I want to live my life?
Of course, some things are special because they don’t happen all the time. Going out for coffee becomes just a 'normal' experience if done every day...but little things will still feel special as part of an everyday routine — like a favourite bowl or a nice scarf.
I've stopped keeping things 'for good'. I've stopped saying 'one day' I will do x, y, z. I'm trying to bring the best into the now.
I think it's about asking: what elements of my perfect day could I bring into every day? How could I live more like my 'best life'?
You have to know what your best life looks like to aim for it. Equally, you have to know what it doesn't look like.
Most of all, you have to believe that it matters.
It matters because you don’t know when it will end.
And don’t you want to be in the best place when it does?
