You might not be new to the concept of living one’s best life, and you are not alone. Mainly due to the rise of social media and its activities, the term is becoming even more popular. But is the template that social media portrays what living your best life is really about? Are the lavish parties, the exciting trips, and expensive-looking lifestyle on Instagram accurate representation of having the best experience? Why does it also feel like everybody but us have it all figured out when it comes to living their best life? Surely, that must not be all there is to living your best life? Well, it’s not.
What does it mean to live your best life?
Going by what social media reports, living your best life involves some level of financial freedom as well as extra time on your hands. But how many people can do this while meeting their goals to save money? So, you don’t have the most expensive things, and you cannot travel the world at your convenience. But does that mean you don’t have a shot at living your best life? Surely not. While all these things are definitely great, they are not the only determining factors.
Living your best life involves a lot more, and sometimes it has nothing to do with glam and money. The reality is that the behind the scenes is more important than what we see, and should be the focus. Social media only exaggerates the finish line and gives no credit to the work and process of getting there.
There is a disparity between what you want out of life and what your reality is, due to your work and life responsibilities. But that does not mean you cannot get the most out of any situation. How about looking at the phrase from a subjective angle and finding a way to apply it to your personal circumstances. It also means setting goals of self-awareness and self-growth in every aspect of your life.
Things to consider about living your best life
In your quest to achieve ‘your’ best life, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Be your authentic self
It is easy to want to put up appearances just to give off the impression that you’re living your best life. However, this is more likely to make it more difficult to truly live your best life. Building trust and relating to others also becomes more challenging, and you find yourself at the opposite end of what you are trying to do. Being authentic gives you some level of confidence that makes it easier to have a positive image of who you are and what you stand for. This makes it easier for you to be content in yourself and your abilities as well as the life you have. And this sets the stage for you to step forward into achieving your dreams and goals. The people around you can also trust you better when you are authentic, and they give you the benefit of the doubt. You’re able to build a reputation on that, making it easier for them to be genuine around you.
Make a conscious effort to grow
As mentioned, living your best life is also about striving for self-growth, and until you pay attention to doing that, getting to where you want will be more challenging than expected. So, no matter the stage of life you are, make sure you are making the investment in yourself to be better by the time you pass that stage. This means putting in the effort to learn more, and for you to achieve maximum results, you will have to be consistent. This brings you closer to your goal of living your best life. While you’re learning, try yourself not to burn yourself out and take time to catch your breath if you need to. It will be of no use if you’re in a hurry to live your best life and then get too tired when you finally get to do it.
Be responsible
Sometimes, people think that living your best life means clothes have to help. Even though a little helping hand is great, you alone are responsible for how your life turns out. And once you achieve the best life status, in essence, you alone will enjoy it. So, start developing the mindset of taking control of what you let in and out of your life. Make calculated decisions and try your best not to leave things to chance. Also, assess your life to see what you don’t like and take strides to change those things. Is it your job, neighborhood, or friends that are a little too overwhelming to deal with and stand in the way of living your best life? If there is something you can do about it, then, by all means, go ahead. For example, if you don’t like the way you look, try making small adjustments to your style. Something as simple as a new pair of eyeglasses can upgrade your look. Save money by purchasing them online. It doesn’t have to be anything too dramatic – small changes one at a time is good enough. Additionally, there’s nothing wrong with asking for a helping hand when you need it.
Remember that perfection isn’t actually realistic
If you’re waiting for the perfect moment, then you might wait for a very long time, watching others live their best life. You might not be new to the idea that nothing is perfect in life, but sometimes the things we see make it look like that may be a myth. But before you do that, remember that everybody’s experience is different and the fact that it looks perfect doesn’t mean it is. So keep in mind that the road to living your best life will not be straightforward. There will be bumps along the way, but once you see them as just that, bumps and not dead ends, then you’re going to be fine. Also, remember that your idea of how things are going to go is most likely not how they’re going to be. Once you prepare yourself for that, you’ll be in a better position to embrace the process it takes to live your best life.
Be compassionate
Sometimes, the world makes it look like being kind means that you’re weak. But being kind to others is one way to bring yourself some fulfillment. So, offer a helping hand when you can, for example, you could volunteer at a charity or donate some clothes or money to an organization. Apart from others, the person you should be kind to the most is yourself. You are your greatest investment, and you will need your best self to live your best life. So do well to eat well, exercise, and see the doctor often. Also, be passionate about what life has to offer, facing each new day with zest and excitement. Having a positive attitude will go a long way to make a living your best experience more realistic for you.
So, the simple answer to the question ‘Is it realistic to live your best life?’ is Yes. Just not the way you think. You will have to start by scrapping some of what the internet says about what it means to live your best life, including the hashtags and start to define what your best life is. Then you can take steps to achieve it. While you’re at it, have the five things mentioned in mind to help you customize your ‘best life’ experience. Also, remember that you don’t have to prove to anyone that you’re living your best life. It is a personal victory that you can enjoy by yourself.
