Enjoy Your Life Now

If we were asked to look at our lives and measure our satisfaction with them, I believe most of us could agree that there is something we want more of. More money, time, status, space, and so on. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting more in life, from time to time, we should pause on wanting more and take time to enjoy and appreciate what we already have.

For instance, think about something you have now that you worked hard for, prayed about, and finally got it. This could be anything from buying something you saved up for, getting a promotion at work, taking a vacation you always wanted, or completing a home project you’ve always wanted to do. Did you truly enjoy and appreciate that thing, or did you immediately start thinking about the next thing you wanted or wanted to do?

If you’re like me, you probably enjoyed said thing for a little while, then found yourself longing for the next thing. Why are we like this? Well, research has shown that one of the main reasons humans always want more is that we lack gratitude.

“You can have all the money and achievements in the world. But, if you are grateful for nothing, it’s like no matter what you make or do, life simply will not get any better. It’s like everything falls into the black hole of things we take for granted.” (Step Fontane Pennock, Positive Psychology, 2017)

My purpose for this post is to encourage you to enjoy your life now and everything you have worked hard for and prayed for. Spend time reflecting on your blessings, practicing gratitude, and engaging in your current life before trying to add more and more to it.

I write a lot about gratitude because I have seen its positive impacts on my life and mental health. Here are some ideas of how you can enjoy your life now.

7 Ways To Enjoy Your Life Now

Host A Game Night

Invite family and friends over to enjoy a game night at your home. Utilize the space you’ve been blessed to live in by hosting others and making fun memories.

Take A Day Off In The Middle Of The Week

Use the PTO you’ve earned and worked hard for to do something that makes you happy. This could be scheduling a spa day, running errands to the garden center, Target, and Starbucks (my favorite places), or just staying home and watching daytime TV while everyone is out of the house for the day.

Look Through Old Photos

I love going down memory lane by looking through my old photos. This helps me to recall all of the adventures we’ve had as a family and allows me to see how blessed I truly am.

Cook A Restaurant-Inspired Meal

Put all the tips you’ve learned by watching Food Network into practice by recreating a meal you like to eat out. My husband loves to do this, and I love it when he does it, too (he’s the cook in the family).

Take A Staycation

Explore your local area by taking a staycation, book a nice hotel for the evening, and walk around the city like a tourist.

Redecorate Your Home

Completely move things around in your home so it looks like a new house the next time you walk in. Add a few new decor pieces or put up old stuff you have stored away.

Write A Gratitude List

Think back over the last three to five years of your life. Write a list of all the good things that happened to you. List the things you worked hard for and received and everything you are thankful for. Look over this list whenever you start feeling discontent with your life.

I hope this has encouraged you to enjoy your life now and not to wait until you have more.

“and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

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About the Author: Ivanna Baron shares her story and experiences and offers encouragement and practical advice for personal growth, wellness, and faith on her website ivannabaron.com.