Living with Intention

Living with Intention: How I Built a Life Aligned with My Values

For a long time, I was busy - always moving, always doing, but not always feeling fulfilled. I had achievements on paper, a packed calendar and a socially acceptable version of "success", but something felt off. I was living on autopilot, responding to life instead of actively shaping it.

That all changed when I began living with intention - a shift that started when I took the time to figure out what truly mattered to me. This wasn’t an overnight epiphany, but rather a slow peeling back of layers until I could clearly see the values at the core of who I am. Once I found them, I started aligning my decisions, routines and even relationships around them. Here's how I did it - and how you can too.

Step One: Defining My Core Values

I didn’t always know what my values were. I just knew I was saying "yes" to things that didn’t feel right and "no" to things I secretly wanted.

To figure out my values, I started with some deep reflection. I asked myself questions like:

• When do I feel most alive or fulfilled?

• What moments in my life have made me proud - genuinely proud, not just praised by others?

• What do I admire in other people?

• What drains me or makes me feel out of alignment?

I journaled my answers and noticed recurring themes. Words like freedom, authenticity, growth, connection and impact kept coming up. Those became the foundation for my intentional life.

Tip for my readers:
Start small. List out 10 moments in your life where you felt joy, pride or peace. What values were present in those moments? Patterns will start to emerge.

Step Two: Aligning My Life Around Those Values

Once I had clarity on my values, I began auditing my life - my job, relationships, habits, even my daily routines. Here’s how I approached it:

• Freedom: I realized a traditional 8–5 wasn’t compatible with the autonomy I craved. So, I transitioned to freelance work, even though it was risky at first.

• Authenticity: I stopped watering down my personality to please people. This meant some relationships faded, but the ones that remained became deeper and more real.

• Growth: I now schedule time for learning - books, courses, new experiences. It’s no longer optional.

• Connection: I started being more present with loved ones. Fewer texts, more face-to-face time. I also made a habit of expressing appreciation more often.

• Impact: I volunteer regularly and choose work that aligns with causes I care about, rather than chasing the highest paycheck.

This didn’t happen all at once. It’s still evolving, but each intentional choice has created a life that feels right - not just looks good from the outside.

Step Three: Helping You Live with Intention

If you're feeling stuck, restless or like you're drifting through your days, it might be time to reconnect with your own values. Here's a simple process to get started:

1. Identify Your Values

• Try a values list online and circle words that resonate.

• Reflect on peak experiences and pinpoint the values present.

• Narrow it down to 3–5 that feel essential to who you are.

2. Evaluate Alignment

• Where in your life are you honouring those values?

• Where are you out of alignment?

• Journal or talk it out with someone you trust.

3. Make Small Shifts

• Choose one area of your life and make a change that brings you closer to your values.

• Maybe it’s setting better boundaries, changing a routine or having a long-overdue conversation.

4. Revisit Regularly

Values can evolve. Check in with yourself often to ensure you’re still on your path - or ready to adjust it.

Final Thoughts: The Beauty of Living Intentionally

Living with intention isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about making conscious choices, even small ones, that reflect who you are and what you stand for.

I’m still figuring it out, but every day I live in alignment - even a little - I feel more grounded, more at peace and more me.

So take a breath. Reflect. Ask yourself: What really matters to me - and am I living like it does?

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. You just need to start.