Do you not know what you want with your life? You are not alone. But with some lifestyle-design-magic you can start moving very fast.
"What do I want with my life?"
It is a very popular question. A while ago I had a conversation in the dunes with someone who did not know what she wanted. What kind of work she would like, how she wants to contribute and how she really wants to organize her life.
She reminded me of so many people in my life. Acquaintances, friends and family members who are looking for an answer and find it hard to find.
themindsjournal.com
The answers are not found in books and are seldom the pick-up. To come to the answer you have to think, dig in yourself, follow your feelings, make a plan and very important: take steps.
Exactly, you have to work for it. And we call that work lifestyle design. And these tips help you do exactly that.
1. Do not focus on the job, focus on the lifestyle
I understand. Your work is important. You spend a large part of your time on it, and it provides you with the income for realizing other dreams.
But your job is not your life. A job is a means to achieve something. And it is important to first ask yourself what exactly you want to achieve.
Having a job is not an end in itself. You do not need a job to survive, you need income. A job is a means to generate income. It is a useful tool, but it is not the only means and certainly not always the best way.
So do not worry about what kind of work you want to do and ask yourself: what does my ideal lifestyle look like?
2. Time for lifestyle design - Develop your ideal lifestyle
Why is this valuable? Because asking another question yields completely different answers.
nataliesisson.com
For example: You do not know what kind of work you want to do. This will get you stuck. You want to work with your head, at an office or something. But what exactly, that is unclear.
3. Develop a step-by-step plan for the coming years
This is the moment when you will put the whole 'my job is my life' philosophy to the test. Because how much money do you need to shape this lifestyle? And to what extent can you play with this to get it to your liking?
A few examples:
If you choose to become minimalist you will not only make your life more enjoyable. You also lower the pressure on your bank account because you buy less.
If you choose to work less, you may save childcare costs for your children, leaving you with just as much money left over.
If you consciously design your life, you will not be tempted into the 'standard' path. Suppose you earn a fair amount of money now.
Normally you might be tempted to take out a three-tonne mortgage for a beautiful home. Now you choose to continue living cheaply, because you can use this money to build a life with more freedom.
You may find ways to have a great life with the income from a part-time job. Because you manage your money smarter, live smaller, eat more vegetables, grow a part of your vegetable yourself, drop out unnecessary subscriptions, become less materialistic, take your TV out the door, generate part of your own electricity etc.
The less money you need, the less you have to work. But even if you like to work, making a plan helps make your life more fun. It prevents you just to be carried away with the current and come out where you do not want to be.
4. Work quietly towards your ideal life
Realizing your ideal lifestyle can take years. But that is not a problem, because the road is paved with small victories and a strong feeling of satisfaction.
When you have a big goal in mind, your days become inspiring. You no longer just work 'because you just have to work'. You work in the light of a better life. You know what you are doing. You know what you're getting your bed for.
I have been working for years in a life where I feel free, unhurried and loving, while in the meantime I contribute to making the world a better place with soChicken. I have come a long way, but the 'plan' is far from being completed.
nikkimccaig.com
I found the inspiration for this blog on beterleven.nl
and other sources I used : nikkimccaig.com