10 Habits for Living a More Meaningful Life

Forming good habits can be a life-changing experience

Israrkhan
Publishous
6 min readDec 18, 2022

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A hiker with a backpack is sitting on the ledge
Photo by Khamkhor on Unsplash

Over the past few years, I’ve learned that creating habits can be a powerful way to start living a more meaningful life.

From my own experience, I found that integrating habits into my daily routine has helped me create more intentional habits that bring joy and allow for personal growth.

Finding meaning and purpose in life can be a challenge for many of us.

Despite living in an age of unprecedented opportunity, the relentless pace of modern life can make it difficult to carve out time for reflection and contemplation.

But habits — small habits, done every day — have made a remarkable difference in my life.

Through developing these habits, I’ve been able to capture the untapped potential within me, while gradually revealing hidden depths that enable me to find and live in deep meaningfulness.

If you’re looking to take control over your own life and journey toward fulfillment, I’d highly recommend cultivating certain habits that allow you to unlock the meaning within you.

If you’re curious to learn more, read on to discover 10 habits that can help lead you toward a more meaningful life.

1. Wake up each day with a purpose

When I started waking up each day with a purpose, it changed my life dramatically.

Every morning, I take just a few moments to set an intention or purpose for the day. By doing this, I have felt more in control of my life and have found much greater fulfillment than before.

It not only increased my productivity but also led me to live a more meaningful life.

An example of how habits can shape someone’s life is the story of how I became an avid runner after making it part of my daily routine: I used to dread running but started off small by committing to wake up each day and run for 30 minutes changed me completely.

Now running is something that I look forward to every morning and has become an essential part of who I am today.

Waking up each day with a purpose truly can improve your daily habits and bring more meaning into your life!

2. Give more than you take

I’ve learned that giving more than you take can lead to a very meaningful life.

After I started practicing this habit, I noticed positive changes in every aspect of my life — from physical health and financial stability to emotional well-being and better relationships.

Seeing the positive impact it has had on me was an eye-opening experience, and now I’m an advocate for inspiring others to adopt the same habits.

Because when you give more than you take, you become inspired yourself, and that allows for greater fulfillment and purpose in your life.

3. Live in the present moment

Everyone has faced moments of stress and frustration, wishing they could be in the future or stuck in the past.

I used to obsess over my memories or worry about what was still to come.

It wasn’t until I adopted a habit of living in the present moment that I opened myself up to so many new positive experiences!

At any given moment, we have options and choices that can open us up to limitless potential if we practice being mindful.

I found happiness as soon as I let go of worrying about things that weren’t yet real and spent more time appreciating what was right in front of me: a beautiful sunset, for example, or the laughter of my friends.

I urge readers to tap into this power by taking some time out of each day to dig into the present moment — notice your environment with all senses activated, and embrace the life you are living now instead of thinking about what has happened before or may happen next.

4. Appreciate what you have

Everyone has something in their life to appreciate, and I’m here to remind you of that.

When times are tough, it can be hard to stay positive, but if we strive to appreciate what we have, it may just be the game-changer we need.

In my life, my appreciation for everything — from the small things like getting a good parking spot today or having a delicious dinner — has been hugely beneficial in keeping me grounded and reminding myself of how much I do have.

Even when things seem overwhelming, practicing this appreciation habit helps me count my blessings rather than focus on the negatives.

I would highly encourage you to take a few moments every day to mentally check in with yourself and appreciate what you possess — big or small!

5. Take time for yourself

As life becomes increasingly busy, making time for yourself is essential.

It can be hard to resist the overload of external expectations and demands, but if you don’t take a break from all that, you won’t have enough energy to keep up with them!

For me, self-care involves indulging in activities such as reading books and taking leisurely walks.

Taking time for yourself can be a powerful habit that will help you stay focused, motivated, and energized throughout your day-to-day life.

So I encourage you to make some time every day to do something you love — even if it’s just for 10 minutes — so you can have the energy to keep up with all the other things you have going on.

6. Connect with others

I believe that one of the best ways to live a meaningful life is to connect with others.

As humans, we are wired for relationships and connection — it’s how we thrive!

Taking the time to get to know people and build strong connections can be a great source of fulfillment in both your personal and professional life.

I’ve found that by engaging in meaningful conversations and being open to forming relationships, I’ve been able to make deeper and more lasting connections with people.

So take the time to engage with those around you — you never know what kind of amazing relationships can come out of it!

7. Nourish your body and mind

The health of your body and mind is essential to leading a meaningful life.

Taking care of yourself should be a priority so that you can have the energy and vitality to pursue your goals and live an enjoyable life.

For me, nourishing my body and mind involves eating nutritious foods, getting regular exercise, meditating, and limiting my time on social media.

I find that when I take the time to take care of myself, I have more energy and focus on being productive in my day-to-day activities.

If you want to nourish your body and mind, integrate healthy habits into your life so you can live a fulfilling life!

8. Follow your passions

Following your passions is one of the most powerful things you can do to lead a meaningful life.

When I’m doing something I’m passionate about, I feel truly alive and motivated — it’s like nothing else matters!

Whether it’s writing, painting, or playing an instrument, following your passions can be an incredible source of joy and fulfillment in your life.

So take the time to explore your interests and follow your passions — you never know what amazing things can come out of it!

9. Embrace change

Change is one of the few constants in life, and learning to embrace it can be a powerful tool for finding meaning.

Life will always have its ups and downs — but if you’re able to be flexible and open-minded when things don’t go according to plan, it can help you find new opportunities you wouldn’t have found otherwise.

I’ve found that when I’m able to embrace change and let go of the need to control everything, I’m more open to embracing new experiences and taking risks.

So don’t be afraid of change — view it as an opportunity for growth!

10. Be grateful for the journey

The journey of life can be a wild ride, and it’s important to remember that each stage has its own unique set of challenges and rewards.

Taking the time to appreciate all the experiences you have had along the way — both the good and bad — can help you find meaning in your life.

So instead of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, try to be present and take the time to recognize all the moments of joy and growth you have experienced.

Being grateful for the journey can help you appreciate every moment, no matter how big or small.

Conclusion

The 10 tips I’ve provided in this article are just a starting point — there are countless other ways to find meaning in life.

What’s most important is that you find what works for you and embrace it wholeheartedly.

So take the time to reflect on these tips and see which ones resonate with you.

Then, start putting them into practice so you can begin living a more meaningful life.

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