How to Actually Enjoy Your Life (Instead of Just Checking Off Goals)
Have you ever felt like life is just one big to-do list?
Graduate. Get a good job. Find a partner. Buy a house. Have kids. Achieve, achieve, achieve.
And if you don’t check off these boxes fast enough—or in the “right” order—it can feel like you’re falling behind.
But here’s the thing: Life isn’t a race. And happiness isn’t hiding at the finish line.
So let’s talk about it—how do you actually enjoy your life, instead of just chasing the next milestone?
1. Stop Measuring Yourself Against Someone Else’s Timeline
Feeling behind usually comes from one thing: comparison.
Maybe your friends are getting promotions, buying houses, or settling down while you’re still figuring things out. Maybe society tells you that by this age, you should be at this stage.
But here’s the truth: There is no one “right” timeline for life.
Some people get married at 25. Others find love at 50.
Some hit career success early. Others don’t find their path until way later.
Some have kids. Some don’t. Some travel the world. Some build deep roots in one place.
None of these paths are “right” or “wrong.” They’re just different.
What to do instead:
✔ Remind yourself that you’re not behind—you’re on your own path.
✔ Unfollow or mute accounts that make you feel like you’re not doing enough.
✔ Celebrate your own milestones, even if they don’t look like everyone else’s.
2. Enjoy the Present Instead of Just Prepping for the Future
How often do we put happiness on hold?
“I’ll be happy once I get that job.”
“I’ll relax once I’m more financially stable.”
“I’ll enjoy my life once I have it all figured out.”
But waiting to be happy later is a trap—because “later” keeps moving.
If you don’t practice enjoying your life now, you’ll never feel like you arrive. You’ll just keep chasing the next thing, and the next, and the next.
What to do instead:
✔ Romanticize the small moments—your morning coffee, a deep belly laugh, the way the sun feels on your skin.
✔ Make time for joy now, not “when you have more time.” (Because let’s be real, life will always be busy.)
✔ Ask yourself: If I already had everything I wanted, how would I live my life today? Then, start doing those things.
3. Define Success on Your Terms
So much of feeling behind comes from chasing a version of success that wasn’t even yours to begin with.
Maybe it’s what your parents wanted for you. Maybe it’s what your culture or society expects. Maybe it’s what looks impressive to the outside world.
But if you’re following someone else’s definition of success, you’ll always feel like you’re falling short.
What to do instead:
✔ Ask yourself: What actually makes me feel happy and fulfilled?
✔ Stop worrying about what looks successful—focus on what feels meaningful.
✔ Redefine success in a way that has nothing to do with external achievements. (For example: feeling free, having deep friendships, living in alignment with your values.)
4. Make Life Fun Again (Not Just Productive)
Ever notice how kids just play? No guilt. No agenda. No wondering if they’re doing it “right.”
Then we grow up, and suddenly, everything has to be useful. Hobbies have to be monetized. Relaxing feels like wasting time.
But joy is not a reward you have to earn—it’s a requirement for a fulfilling life.
What to do instead:
✔ Bring playfulness back into your life—dance, paint, try something new, just for the fun of it.
✔ Stop waiting for special occasions—romanticize the regular moments. Use the fancy dishes. Light the candles. Play your favorite music while you cook.
✔ Schedule time for things that bring you joy, even if they serve no purpose other than making you happy.
5. Trust That You’re Exactly Where You’re Meant to Be
It’s easy to look at where you thought you’d be by now and feel frustrated. But what if you trusted that your timing is unfolding exactly as it should?
What if every detour, delay, and plot twist wasn’t a mistake—but a necessary part of your unique journey?
Some of the most incredible things in life happen off script.
What to do instead:
✔ Trust that you’re not late. You’re not behind. You’re right on time for your path.
✔ Shift your focus from rushing to living.
✔ Remind yourself: You can still have everything you want—just on your own timeline.
It’s so easy to feel like life is something you have to catch up on. Like happiness is waiting for you at some future milestone.
But the truth?
Your life - and your happiness - isn’t in the future. It’s happening right now.
So instead of just checking off boxes, start asking yourself:
✔ What actually makes me feel alive?
✔ What moments bring me joy—no matter how small?
✔ How can I make today meaningful, even in the tiniest way?
Because this moment? It’s just as much a part of your story as the big milestones. And it’s worth enjoying. 💛
Let’s Start Reclaiming Joy—Together.
Come hang out. No pressure, no perfection. Just real conversations about what it means to enjoy your life—exactly as it is.
This Space Is for You If:
☀️ You want to slow down—without falling behind.
☀️ You’re tired of feeling like you have to "deserve" joy.
☀️ You’re ready to stop overworking and start actually living.
What You’ll Get Here:
📩 A Wednesday love letter: Personal stories, small-but-mighty mindset shifts, and permission to do less (but feel more).
🤣 Your weekly dopamine boost: The best therapy and mental health memes from the internet to brighten your week.
☕ The kind of conversations that make you exhale—the ones that remind you you’re not alone and help you reclaim joy in the middle of real life.
(It’s like a coffee date with your encouraging friend who happens to be a therapist.)