Life on autopilot can affect anyone, serving sometimes as a means of survival amid chaos. Other times, it’s a conscious choice that celebrates a quieter life, free from daily noise. However, for those who share my perspective, this can begin to feel like a half-hearted existence filled with ordinary routines.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing; routines can be beneficial and even centering. But it’s when we’re consumed by monotony that we risk overlooking the value of what we do and what we own. When we run on autopilot, commitments can start to feel like checkmarks on a to-do list—or worse, burdens. And possessions can become mere objects. They no longer provide the joy and experiences that once fulfilled us, potentially causing us to forget how privileged and blessed we are to have them.
So how can we live more fully, even when we feel like we’re coasting on autopilot?
Live More Through Intention
For me, it’s important to experience life while I’m here. I’m all about making the most of my time, commitments, and things. That said, I believe being intentional plays a big role in making that happen. Though it’s easy to drift into autopilot and overlook the joys around us, what counts is how we pivot when we become aware of that disconnect.
It takes intention to adjust our perspective.
Mindfully embracing our day-to-day teaches us to consistently see the good in our lives, allowing us the opportunity to fully appreciate our experiences and what we have. Naturally, there are those who are okay living life without deeply considering their routines, and that’s totally valid. However, for those of us who seek a little more from life, today’s post aims to share how we can do just that.
Make the Most of What You Do and What You Have
If you’ve been reading along with us for a while, you may recall that function and minimalism are my jam. It pains me to spend money on things that don’t get their full use! In fact, wasted potential bugs me so much that I actively look for ways to avoid it.
Take my wedding dress, for instance. This $179 element of wedding festivities was not going to be worn once! No way, no how. I wear that dress every anniversary. Here we are celebrating 6 years of marriage!
Another example of this mindset includes the decision that Brian and I made to update our balcony and replace our deck! These spaces weren’t being utilized much in our home, and we knew that revamping them would encourage us to enjoy them more fully. Investing in these once-neglected spaces has really made a difference.
While it’s taken some practice to learn how to maximize my resources and commitments, it’s taught me to invest in what truly adds value to my life. Here’s how I’ve learned to live more:
Use My Things to Fuel Experiences
Owning things for the sake of ownership isn’t part of my style. My possessions aren’t intended to be decorative clutter or a token of success; for me, they have purpose. They’re practical, self-reflective, and valuable resources for adventure. I like using what I have to create meaningful memories and experiences.
- Power Tools and Machinery: Brian and I have gradually built up our collection of tools over the past few years. We’ve used them to tackle a number of DIY projects together, which has been a really fun experience. Of course, we could have paid someone else to do our projects or completed them individually, but this would have completely changed the experience! We’ve had such a blast working together, through all-nighter mishaps, creative problem-solving, and learning new skills. And now we have these incredible memories 💛
- My Trusty Steed: At 18 years old and with over 200,000 miles on it, my car is still kicking butt with no signs of slowing down. While it certainly gets me from Point A to Point B, I love using it for road trips, casual drives, and random side quests. My car is also a great hands-on learning experience; it’s affordable to maintain and relatively straightforward to fix without high-tech components. So not only does my car provide a means to an end, it’s also a reliable companion that celebrates the flexibility and freedom of getting lost in new cities, connecting us to those we love, and sharing quality time with Dad while Brian and I learn how to work on it together.
- Fitness Gear: Our small collection of gym equipment, like dumbbells and yoga mats, has motivated us to stay active together. In fact, we’ve turned a bedroom into a cozy home gym, complete with stationary bikes and a TV that plays P90X on repeat! These items support a healthy lifestyle and have helped us establish a fun and challenging workout routine that we both love.
Mix and Match Errands and Free Time
I’ve learned to combine to-dos with my fun time. Sure, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it has helped us find a better balance. I don’t really want to spend all day, every day, running down errands, just to move on to the next. Nope. It may work for others, but it’s not how I want to live life.
Groceries are super-minimal, which not only helps save on time, money, and health but also on extra effort. If we’re planning a massive meal or holiday dinner, we’ll often shop in stages. One day is reserved for picking up X, the other for picking up Y, while we smoosh in a small treat for ourselves. Thrifting, a Pub Sub, Malaysian food, or boba tea. If we have a busy weekend of running around, we’ll occasionally add in dinner or a visit with friends (even if it’s a quick pop-in!) just to say hi.
Monotony and autopilot can easily creep in while we’re all navigating our own schedules and routines. This is especially true when kids and family time are involved! The trick to resisting a mindless existence on autopilot is to splash in some joy. What do you like to do in your free time? Break up the monotony with some fun. Don’t forget to live a little while you’re checking things off your to-do list.
Invest in Quality
Why spend time, money, and energy on poor quality? While sometimes it can help in a pinch, it’s not always the best way to go. This goes for materials, humans, experiences, and all aspects of life, really. We’re uninterested in subpar experiences or relationships. If we don’t jive, we don’t jive.
Investing in quality has changed how we approach life. It means being intentional in our decisions and opting for well-crafted items and meaningful experiences. Brian and I have learned to prioritize quality, whether it’s in our tools, clothing, or even the people we surround ourselves with.
Here’s how we shifted our focus toward quality and prioritized the things that matter to us:
- Identified Priorities: Are we content with something that’s good enough, or would we be happier with something of better quality? This question allows us to consider where quality will have the greatest impact on our lives.
- Embraced Research: Understanding quality means learning about which brands and products are known for their craftsmanship and warranties. Luckily, I enjoy reading, so diggin’ into research is fun for me. I scour reviews, recommendations, and other resources to learn more about potential investments before making decisions.
- Paid for Durability: We strategize and save for costly products if they’re worth the extra durability. Of course it can be tempting to select cheaper options, especially if we’re trying to be more budget-conscious. However, we’ve found that spending more upfront tends to save money in the long run, ultimately reducing the likelihood for replacements.
- Cultivated Meaningful Connections: In cultivating, or intentionally building, our understanding of what brings us meaningful joy, Brian and I have become more selective about the connections that we allow into our lives. We’re all about commitments and relationships that encourage peace and personal growth, which means we’ve naturally let go of what drains us. For example, we’ll often forego obligations, pricey dinners, and even new clothing to make space for spontaneous trips or quality time with the people we love.
- Adjusted as Necessary: Life happens, and circumstances and people change. Brian and I pivot when the situation calls for it.
Create Rituals that Celebrate Personal Values
To live more, consider what you value and create a routine that reflects those beliefs! Rituals, or small and meaningful practices, help us actively incorporate our personal values into the mix of our everyday lives. For Brian and me, this means carving out time to purposefully reconnect with our values and goals. Whether it’s a simple weekend coffee ritual, a daily P90X workout, or a monthly financial check-in, these habits help us appreciate the little things and stay focused on what matters.
Live Your Life
If you’re tired of life on autopilot, the good news is that you can shift gears! Rediscover your “why”; lean into your passions and create a life of relationships, commitments, and possessions that celebrate your why. Let go of the obligations that drain your energy. Of course, this can feel intimidating, but I’m not suggesting you throw out your entire routine. Start small!
Consider one small change you can make to start living a little more intentionally. A good place to start is usually with your stuff—are you truly appreciating all of the things you own? Are there items that no longer have meaning or that you never use? Letting go of these can create space for what actually brings you joy. As you begin to appreciate your possessions, think about how you can also translate this reflection into your commitments and relationships.
By making intentional choices about the things we own and the commitments we make, we can lead a life that fully aligns with our true values. A fully lived life is less so about societal markers of success and happiness and more about pursuing what truly inspires us.
What small change will you make today to start maximizing your life?
2 Responses
“Quality doesn’t cost, it pays.” Those are words of wisdom that I’ve grown to acknowledge as great truths. As someone that has invested in various tools over the years, I’ve found that my earlier purchases (when I didn’t have much money) were lacking in durability. Motors that overheated, socket wrenches that slip, hydraulic jacks that leak have all visited me, usually when I needed them. Since then, I’ve been more selective in my purchases, weighing the upfront cost against the product’s purported dependability.
Exactly, I agree! I have discovered the same, which becomes frustrating when you have to buy something over and over again because it no longer performs as it should. It really shows how our experiences shape our spending habits. Choosing quality means fewer headaches and, hopefully, a lot more efficiency.