Living Intentionally: Where Do I Start

So you want to live intentionally. But where do you start? You spend so much time just going through the motions, doing everything you've always done, the same way, the same routine. When friends talked about the lazy days of summer, you went "Huh? What are you talking about? Each day of summer seemed like every other day." Oh wait, that was me saying that, but maybe it was you too. It's so easy to go through life, looking at each day no differently than the one before. We hurry from here to there, not taking time to look around us, never slowing down enough to notice something new or different. Taking care of others at the expense of ourselves. Thinking that "busy" = success. I often think we have it all wrong. I know I'm not the only one. Now, I LOVE doing things for my family, it is really what I love to do the most, so when I went back to work (part time) several years ago, it was hard, it still is sometimes, but in the midst of life changes, we can't lose sight of ourselves. WE are not what we do, not the jobs we hold, the roles we play. We are so much more. 


So, back to where do you start? When I decided I wanted to become more intentional the first thing I did was create a "vision board". Click this link to see how I made it. What started it all was that I had received a magazine for Christmas (I think Oprah Winfreys). Within the pages were various phrases that jumped out at me. "Live your best Life", "Out of your rut, into your groove", and more. Something stirred in me that said, "I need this...am I living my best life? I want to get out of my rut, I want to find a groove." I created this beautiful board and placed it on my desk. I printed out this quote that I found At The Picket Fence and taped it to my computer.

"This bright new day, 24 hours of opportunities, choices and attitudes. This unique gift, this one day cannot be exchanged, refunded or replaced. Handle with care. Make the most of it. There is only one per customer."

(I've since added a few more things to this board)

So maybe that's where you start. It will look different for everyone, but take a step and create some visuals as regular reminders. Maybe you'll put notes on your bathroom mirror or cabinet of how beautiful you are. Maybe you'll put some in your kitchen, bedroom, office. Wherever you will see them regularly. Find quotes, verses, words, that resonate with you. One of my other favorites is the verse:

By the waters of reflection; My soul remembers who I am...Psalm 23:2-3

I was sharing this word I chose on another page, and another member of the page sent me this lettered card with the word Intentional on it that she had just made. It sits on my desk.

The funny thing is, that even with these things, sometimes I forget to look at them, they become part of the decor and not something I look at everyday. Even that has to be intentional. 

Each day we'll tackle some area whether it relates to your spirit, soul, or your body. We'll brainstorm ideas, share books, videos, who knows, to encourage you on your own journey. Because that's what it is...your journey and you know what will work with you. I've noticed other bloggers creating posts on intentionality and authenticity and I'm so excited to read those too and get even more insight and ideas for my own life. We have so much to teach each other and learn from each other. 

With Joy Unquenchable,