The Intentional Life: Learning to Live with Purpose

How I Discovered the Need for Intentional Living

We spend so much of our lives chasing milestones—finishing school, landing the perfect job, traveling to dream destinations—assuming that achieving these goals will automatically lead to happiness. But what happens when you hit those milestones and still feel unfulfilled? That’s exactly where I found myself.

For the past five years, I’ve been navigating the world of remote work, starting when COVID pushed my last two years of college online and continuing into my first job and there after. Initially, it seemed ideal—flexibility, freedom, no commuting. Yet soon, I found my days blending together. Work never had a clear end, and life felt repetitive and unchallenging.

That’s when I realized intentional living isn’t just about routines—it’s about turning every action into something that adds value to your life. Making your bed in the morning clears your mind and sets you up to return to a ready space. Brewing your morning coffee should feel like a small, daily accomplishment—something you improve over time and take pride in. Opening your camera during remote meetings builds your reputation and professionalism, aligning small daily habits with the future you’re working toward. Most importantly, taking action on ideas instead of letting them sit in your mind turns thoughts into progress. When you set the intention to improve, you’ll naturally begin taking steps forward.

The Wake-Up Call: Redefining What Success Means

For me, the wake-up call wasn’t just one moment—it was a series of realizations as I noticed my routines lacked challenge and purpose. Success isn’t about looking busy or ticking off tasks. It’s about creating habits and actions that align with who you want to become. Life can feel dull when you're going through the motions, but intentional living breathes meaning into even the simplest actions.

Practical Steps I've Taken Toward Intentional Living

I don’t claim to have all the answers, but here are three key practices that have transformed my day-to-day life:

1. Prioritizing Daily Movement

Exercise helps clear your mind and sharpen your thinking. Scientifically, contracting your muscles releases endorphins and increases blood flow to the brain, improving focus and mental clarity. Daily movement makes you feel stronger, more confident, and mentally sharper. Whether it’s a hotel-room workout, a city run, or simple stretching, movement is my reset button.

2. Cleaning and Simplifying Your Space

I used to dismiss advice about cleaning your room and making your bed. But after doing it consistently for a few weeks, I understood—it’s not about the bed; it’s about building small habits that lead to bigger actions. Cleaning your space helps clear mental clutter, making room for creativity and focus. If you haven’t used something in six months, it’s probably time to let it go. Organizing your environment helps you stay intentional with your priorities.

3. Taking Intentional Action on Ideas

Ideas without action are just thoughts that clutter your mind. I’ve learned to immediately write down and prioritize ideas, then take steps to bring them to life. Discipline isn’t forcing yourself; it’s honoring your future self and looking back with gratitude for the actions you took.

The Result: Clarity, Happiness, and Progress

Since embracing intentional living, I wake up every day ready to work, learn, act, and adapt. I know I’m working toward my future self. I’ve become more mindful about saving, paid off all my debt, and feel genuinely excited for what’s next. My life feels clearer and more purposeful because every small action adds up.

How to Know if You Need More Intentionality

• If you feel like you’re repeating the same day over and over.

• If you’re not seeing clear progress in areas that matter.

• If you have ideas but don’t know how to start.

• If you accomplish things but struggle to see them as achievements.

If this sounds like you, intentional living could make all the difference. Start with small actions that build good habits, and you’ll start to feel the shift.