Do you ever feel as if you are going through the motions of life? Not unhappy yet not happy either? An empty life? If you can relate to this, you are part of the growing phenomenon that I term the “Living Dead”. People who have let the routine and monotony of life grind them down. They no longer take pleasure in anything and are basically just surviving.
If it’s true that we only have one life, it’s a sad state of affairs that so many of us are wasting away our lives, dreaming of something better yet never finding it. Here are some inspiring ways to stop being a part of the “living dead’ group.
1) Be Impulsive
There is no reason to pre-plan everything. If you are the cautious type, act against this and do more things on the spur of the moment. Doing this will help counteract your fears about the unknown and the unfamiliar. Being overly cautious can take the fun out of life and make us too careful, all the while limiting our experiences. Dealing with uncertainty is a part of life and trying to live in the moment can teach us more confidence to be able to deal with whatever comes our way. Obviously still do a basic risk assessment beforehand and don’t jump straight off a cliff (!) but if you shy away from last minute weekend breaks – booking a weekend away at the last minute would be a good exercise in living a bit more impulsively.
2) Try New Experiences
Don’t be afraid to try new things. Break away from an empty life, be adventurous and get out into the world. You will never know your true strengths and weaknesses unless you are willing to try many different experiences. I don’t think I would ever try bungi jumping ( I never say never) but I would be willing to try parasailing. I welcome that feeling of slight trepidation as I know that it means I am slightly on edge and therefore pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I have done this continually for at least the last ten years and as a result I am a completely different person now. Much more confident than ever before.
3) Vary Your Routine
Who says that you have to cook dinner for 7pm exactly? Where’s the rule book that states you will always make spaghetti bolognese on a Wednesday? Routines can make life easier but when it becomes too ingrained, we become robotic in our experience of life. So, I suggest you mix it up a bit. try a different pub or restaurant. Take the long route instead of the usual route. Anything that varies your normal routine is good.
4) Expect More From Life – Don’t Settle
You get what you expect out of life. If you expect nothing and settle for little, that is probably what you will get. Open up your thinking to include a wider variety of opportunities. Often, when we engage in limiting self-beliefs we unwittingly exclude opportunities from our world and often don’t even see that they exist. Think big, ignore the limits and let your imagination guide you. It will help you to feel alive again, instead of feeling as though you are just existing.
5) Seek Out Like-Minded People
Some of the best times in my life have been spent with people who ‘get me’. People who think in a similar way and enjoy the same things. Figure out what you enjoy and find like-minded people to spend time with. Exchanging ideas and brainstorming can generate a new energy that recharges ‘batteries’ for ages. Positive energy is contagious.
We choose how to live our lives and often we end up in a boring rut that we never stop to question. An empty life exists.We continue along the same dull path and sadly, some people never ever wake up from this and do something different. Make the most of your life and seek out new people and new experiences. I’m so glad that I did…
Mandy X
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
