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As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of festivities, obligations, and expectations. It’s a time when we often act, indulging in excesses that can leave us feeling out of control and regretful come January. But what if we could approach the holiday season with intention and make choices that align with our values and bring us long-term satisfaction?
In this episode, we will talk about the concept of intentional living and explore how it can transform our holiday experience. I will share my insights on the two key components of happiness and life satisfaction.
Through my own experiences and extensive research, I will break down the importance of intentional living in creating a holiday season that we don’t have to recover from in January. I encourage you Warriors to reflect on your past January experiences and identify areas where you felt out of control or dissatisfied. By observing ourselves with kindness and compassion, we can learn from our past behaviors and make intentional choices that lead to a more fulfilling holiday season.
The Two Components of Happiness
Happiness has two parts.
- the feeling state of happiness
- and the behaviors that align with our purpose and values.
It’s actually not always about feeling ease or feeling good. That short-term feeling of good can lead us to long-term trouble. While feeling short-term discomfort and making a choice with our evolved adult brain leads to long-term satisfaction.
While it may be tempting to focus on short-term pleasure and indulgence during the holiday season. But this often leads to long-term dissatisfaction and regret. By making choices that align with our values and long-term goals, we can experience a deeper sense of contentment and fulfillment.
Intentional Living
Intentional living means making decisions on purpose instead of life making decisions for us. It is where your power lies this holiday season.
The concept of intentional living is a powerful tool for creating a holiday season that aligns with our values and brings us joy. Intentional living involves making decisions ahead of time and choosing actions that serve our well-being and purpose. By pausing and considering the energy behind our actions, we can make choices that lead to long-term satisfaction and avoid the impulse-driven behaviors that often leave us feeling out of control.
Reflecting on Past January Experiences
“Think back to last January. How did you feel? In which parts of your life did you feel like you needed to shift? Where did you tell yourself, ‘Okay, we got to get this under control now, girlfriend’?”
Warrios, reflect on your past January experiences and identify areas where you felt the need to make changes. Whether it’s in the realm of spending, eating, drinking, relationships, or self-care, remember the importance of observing yourself without judgment and with a sense of curiosity. By understanding your patterns and triggers, we can make intentional choices that lead to a more balanced and satisfying holiday season.
Making Intentional Plans
“What would it be like to give yourself permission to do what’s best for you? That’s why this is not about what is right or wrong or what someone else thinks is right or wrong. It’s about you deciding ahead of time what’s right or wrong for you.” – Susie Pettit
Whether it’s deciding to skip the gym for December or setting boundaries around spending or indulging in holiday treats, tap into your own intuition and make choices that feel right for you. By deciding ahead of time, we can avoid the stress and impulsivity that often lead to regret and dissatisfaction.
The Power of Intentional Days
Intentional days are about choosing before someone else chooses for us. What works for you?
There is a power in intentional living on a daily basis. We can have an authentic and fulfilling holiday season by making choices that align with our values and well-being. This allows us to reclaim our power. Warriors consider what matters to you and to set boundaries that honor your own needs and desires.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
As the holiday season approaches, let us embrace the power of intentional living and make choices that align with our values and well-being. By reflecting on our past experiences and observing ourselves with kindness and compassion, we can learn from our patterns and make intentional choices that lead to a more fulfilling holiday season. Let us prioritize our own needs and desires, setting boundaries that honor our well-being and allowing ourselves to experience joy and contentment.
The journey towards intentional living is ongoing, and it requires practice and self-reflection. By enrolling in the Love Your Life School or seeking support from a coach or therapist, we can deepen our understanding of ourselves and cultivate the skills necessary for intentional living. Let us commit to living lives we love, not just during the holiday season, but every day. With intention and self-awareness, we can create a future filled with joy, contentment, and fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
- Happiness and fulfillment come from intentional living and making decisions that align with our values and bring us long-term satisfaction.
- Observing ourselves without judgment and being kind and compassionate allows us to learn from our past actions and make intentional choices.
- Intentional living involves tapping into our own desires and needs, rather than looking externally for what is right or wrong.
- Making decisions ahead of time and being intentional about our actions can help us avoid feeling out of control or needing to make changes in January.
- Seeking support from coaches or therapists can provide guidance and help us live intentional lives.
Find support here:
⭐️ Find all links and resources mentioned in the show notes here
⭐️ See if the Love Your Life School is open for enrollment here
⭐️ Susie’s free resource for you! Questions for your best holiday yet: https://smbwell.com/Holiday
⭐️ Did you love this episode? Make sure you’ve listened to all the foundational episodes of the Love Your Life Show. Get the free Podcast Roadmap here
⭐️Do you get my weekly Wednesday email? I love connecting with warriors more personally through email.
⭐️Have you checked out my favorites on Amazon? I created some new lists: My favorite “Anxiety Helpers”, “Susie’s Supplements” and “Favorite Products”. Check them all out here (and then let me know what I should add to the lists! )
⭐️Are we friends on Instagram? Let’s catch up!
⭐️I’ve been sharing videos of my life in Australia on Facebook – I’d love to be friends with you there too!
⭐️Have a child between the ages of 9-25? Learn the basics to support your changing child here
⭐️ Gift Susie some support! Keep the Love Your Life Show Ad-free and support Susie at https://patreon.com/susiepettit THANK YOU!
⭐️ There’s no better time to make sure you practice the fundamentals of raising confident, resilient kids. Use the code HOLIDAY to get a discount on Susie’s popular Raising Teens Program https://smbwell.com/parenting
⭐️ Find Susie’s favorite products here (there are some great gift ideas for your teens and your spouse!) https://www.amazon.com/shop/smbwell
