“Live less out of habit and more of intent.”
This month we recognize National Mental Health Awareness. It’s wonderful to see the tremendous strides we have made in recognizing mental health and trying to eliminate the taboo that has surrounded it in the past, yet there is so much more work to do. We live in a time where people are struggling emotionally and mentally and it’s important for them to feel like they have an outlet. Mental health is an essential part of overall health and can affect everything in your life. It’s so easy to feel completely overwhelmed with daily pressures from work, school, family, relationships, home responsibilities and life in general. The world of social media has only compounded these feelings of needing to keep up and succeed in all aspects of life as we continuously compare ourselves to others.
One of the most important lessons we can learn is to be in the moment. To live with intent. To do things that make you calm and to learn to step away when you are feeling stressed. Sometimes just walking away from a situation will give enough separation to allow you to change perspective. The pressure to do our best is real – it’s how you decide to interpret what your best is that matters.
My intention is to try to do things with intent, as I feel it leads me to focus on my why vs. just what is on my to-do list. It helps me to find the purpose in my actions and decisions and allows me the freedom to interpret the outcome. I try to find things that get me excited and that I look forward to. And every once in a while, I allow myself those indulgences of slowing down and taking in the moment rather than focusing on what’s next. It’s not always easy but it’s absolutely necessary.
