Intentional living simply means to live life with a purpose. It is about examining your ‘why’. Why you do the things you do or make the choices you make. The choice to live your life with intention calls for diligently inspecting the decisions you make in life. Author Audrey Stanton writes that intentional living means understanding your fundamental beliefs and values, and then actively living your life in line with those values. While intentional living is often associated with a specific aesthetic or written off as a trend, it takes more than a motivational quote and minimalist bedding to live true to your values. Living intentionally requires slowing down, digging deep, and being mindful of your actions, she notes. “The first step is to accept that life is made up of choices. We can choose to connect with our beliefs, or we can choose to let others guide our decisions. Even when we feel completely stuck, intentional living reminds us that we have agency over how we react to situations out of our control. Intentional living looks different for each individual, but one thing that can’t be disputed is that it is an ongoing process. Identifying, implementing, and staying in touch with your values is a lifelong practice, and well worth it,” Stanton says. Victor Mupenzi, a life coach and mentor, similarly depicts intentional living as that life lived with intentions, purpose, target and with a direction. “I would say we all intend to stay alive, so intentionally we are all living. By that I mean, living intentionally is what we are all doing but the difference is after wanting to live, are you living with intention? If not, how can you live with intention? “You know every day when I wake up, I plan my day; what I am going to do, what I am going to improve on, what I am going to learn and how I am going to face the day and do the things that prepare my future,” he shares. And that’s the way to live life with intention. But that’s not what everybody is doing. Ways to practise intentional living Aline Mutangana, an artist and content developer, says one thing to always consider is the fact that living is all about experiencing everything that life has to offer. “The goals and material possessions of life can easily sweep one off their feet. However, much as these are all fancy and beautiful to own, enjoying the moments that lie in-between the chase is way worthwhile,” Mutangana says. She advises planning your day in advance for those who seek to achieve intentional living. “Come up with a firm routine for yourself on how you plan on spending your day. Such structure helps you to make priority for the things that matter. It also helps to stick to the plan and schedule for the day,” she says. She also recommends valuing time as a precious gift that can’t be gained back when lost or wasted. “Those who live intentionally manage their time wisely. They invest it in things that matter and add value to their life.” Stanton notes that intentional living is more than setting thoughtful plans. It’s also about how you react when those plans are suddenly thrown out the window. This concept is about getting to know your raw-self so that, every time the world begins to lead you astray, you have something to lean back on. “Once you’ve identified your values, implementing them requires a bit of reflection as well. Assess your routine, friend group, purchasing habits, and overall lifestyle. Do these aspects of your life match your values? Start to observe your daily life and ask yourself if these various elements align with your beliefs or if they are hindering your commitment to those beliefs. While this process may lead to letting go of what no longer serves you, intentional living is more about moving towards what you want instead of moving away from what you don’t.” Consistently incorporating your values and beliefs in small doses will prepare you for bigger decisions, too, like which direction to take your career, who to spend your life with, or what to invest your money in.
