How to Get a Life: 20 Things you MUST Do to Feel Alive Again

It’s easy to get complacent with how we live our lives. But learning how to get a life is crucial as it gives you a sense of purpose and direction.

As we grow older, it gets harder and harder to have your own life. You’re basically a slave of work and chores. Your little free time usually goes to your partner if you have one, the kids if you have them, and maybe an episode or two on Netflix before bed. Luckily, you can learn how to get a life again even if you’re stuck in the same mundane cycle.

Life doesn’t always have to be so dull and routine where your days are just repeating the same cycle. If you’re reading this feature, it might be time to get out of your comfort zone and especially break free from your regular routine.

There’s a difference between living your life and just existing, and it’s time you start living your life the way you’re meant to.

You don’t have to accept your life as is. Adding some variety will help breathe happiness and excitement into your life again.

[Read: How to get your life together – 30 ways to live your best life]

Why people end up really bored with their lives

It’s not like you planned to have a boring life. You never sat down and decided to avoid doing any fun things. It’s just something that happens. Usually, it’s a slower process that starts with extended hours at work and ends with you struggling to get household chores done.

You realize you don’t have the time to do what you really want, which becomes routine. You end up settling for a boring life, and you feel like you don’t have a life at all. Life shouldn’t just be about working to pay the bills and providing for your family with all the necessities. Instead, it should be a balance of working and truly living.

It’s important to add at least a little variety to make you feel that life isn’t just all about work and responsibilities. We weren’t born just for that alone, you know?

So by learning how to get a life, you can live life to the best potential. [Read: 20 ways to bring back the spark when you’re super bored with life]

Complacency isn’t really living

Again, there’s a huge difference between merely living and existing. So when you’re complacent about how you’re living your life, it can get repetitive and dull. Of course, your career and responsibilities will always be essential – nothing is going to change that.

However, doing the same things over and over can really get to you. Life happens, and you look back and realize your life hasn’t been fun lately, and that’s okay! It happens as we grow older.

It’s easy to be complacent with life, especially when we’ve settled in already.

We’d rather binge our favorite shows on a Friday night than go out for drinks. We’d rather sleep in than wake up early for a day out with our loved ones. That’s alright.

But at some point, you realize there’s more to life than repetitive routines and tasks, and the mindless passing of days, months, and years. [Read: How to get your life together – 10 mind tricks to regain control]

How to get a life again and start living

If you feel bogged down by everyday life and don’t feel as though you even have a life of your own, we can help. Here’s how to get a life again when it feels like you’re stuck in the same old routine.

1. Think about what you used to love doing

Think back to your teenage years and what you did for fun before getting a full-time job. What was the thing that brought you the most joy?

Chances are, it just popped into your mind. Now go do that thing again! Remember that it’s never too late to learn how to get a life.

If there’s something that makes you happy and you’ve wanted to do it for the longest time, now’s your chance to give it a second try. That’ll help you get a life again. [Read: 25 hobbies for couples that want to have more fun together]

2. Cut back on working

This is a little easier said than done for the workaholics out there. But you can’t complain about not having a life and then still revolving your life around your career. You’re going to need to make some changes and adjustments to get a life. If you can, give up some of your hours.

There’s no need to spend your entire day at your job. Yes, your career is important, but if you feel like you’re missing something in your life, you should think about making more time to have a life. Your career will always be there, but your personal life is passing you by. Do something about this.

3. Schedule chore time

Don’t just leave chores for whenever you do them. If you do this, you’ll end up trying to do stuff every single day and you won’t have time for anything you really want to do. So schedule days when you’ll tackle chores.

If you’re serious about knowing how to get a life, be intentional about scheduling things, even your chores. A day or two should be enough, and you’re free to do whatever the rest of the days. [Read: The best ways to get more “me time” when you have a busy schedule]

4. Reconnect with old friends

If you don’t have a life, you’ve probably lost touch with some friends. Reach out to them again. See what they’re up to and invite them out to lunch or dinner sometime. Making those connections again can open you up for a lot of fun and you’ll be able to start building a life again.

This is honestly the best and easiest way to make a life again, especially when all you’ve been doing lately is work and responsibilities. Talk to your friends and schedule time to hang out with them! We assure you, it’ll give you the variety you need in your life. [Read: How to reconnect with old friends & rebuild your lost friendships]

5. Take up some new hobbies

If you’re not into any of your old hobbies, get some new ones. Try taking an art class or a cooking class. Figure out what’s bringing you the most happiness and keep doing it. You never know; you could end up falling in love with the new hobby you try.

Not to mention, trying new hobbies and interests takes you out of your comfort zone just enough to feel like you’re getting a life. It might seem uncomfortable at first, but discomfort really is a necessary part of change.

6. Schedule days JUST for you

We all need some “me time.” But sometimes life doesn’t make time for that, which is why you have to schedule in time to relax and enjoy being alone. Make a schedule and jot down one day a week that’ll be all about what you want to do.

If you want to know how to get a life, be intentional about how you spend your “me time.” It might seem cheesy scheduling your time, but it works, especially if your schedule really tends to be packed. [Read: How to make the most out of your alone time]

7. Act on some of your “fun” impulses

We all have them. We drive by an amusement park and think about how fun it’d be to just hop on a few rides. Why don’t you do that?

Yes, we’ve all been taught that being impulsive isn’t always a good idea but unless it specifically harms someone else or yourself, it’s not a bad idea to give in to your impulsivity!

In fact, if you’re the kind of person who likes planning things and being in control, being impulsive is precisely what you need to get a life. Your life will be enriched by those moments of spontaneity. [Read: 18 ways to become more spontaneous in life]

8. Join local clubs

If you don’t have a life simply because you don’t really know many people, join some clubs. Not only will you find new hobbies you might really enjoy, but you’ll also meet new people.

Being able to socialize and mingle will help you learn how to get a life again. We’re sure you’ll meet some of the best people and learn how to get a life once you join clubs! It’s both fun and helps you socialize at the same time.

9. Go “out” at least twice a month

By this, we mean you should be going out and having fun at least twice a month. Meet up with your friends and have a few drinks, and just catch up. This will add some variety to a boring life, and it helps keep you sane. No matter how introverted you are, going out a few times in a month helps your sanity and adds variety to your life.

It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, as long as you’re having fun. When you aren’t allowed to blow off steam regularly, the stress of life can get to be too much *you deserve it*! [Read: 30 really easy ways to have fun with friends]

10. Make a list of things you want to try and then try them

Sit down and write out a list of things you’d like to try over the next year or so. This can be anything from the new restaurant that just opened to a pottery class downtown. Write some things down that sound like fun, and go try them.

In other words, make a bucket list and try your best to achieve each one! It doesn’t have to be anything extreme. Activities like getting a tattoo or going to the beach are fun enough!

11. Learn to appreciate the things around you

Sometimes you might have a life and are just bored because you’re taking everything for granted. Remember to appreciate the things in your life. It’s easy to forget that a lot of things in your day-to-day life are luxuries.

Gratitude is indeed a more powerful thing than we realize, so if you want to know how to get a life, appreciate the things around you more. Focus on everything you already have instead of constantly complaining about the things you lack.

Also, avoid comparing through social media as it could just be FOMO making you think you don’t have an exciting life when you actually do! [Read: 25 ways to show your appreciation without using words]

12. Don’t forget that you only have one life

Sometimes, people focus too much on their jobs and their daily tasks and forget to enjoy life. If that’s you, just remember that you only get one life. Do you really want to spend it doing everything for other people?

Prioritizing yourself doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human. So live your life and embrace every opportunity that comes by you. Enjoy every moment of your life because that’s the only way you’ll learn how to get a life. [Read: 17 ways to welcome positive energy and enjoy more out of life]

13. Shorten your workday by 30 minutes

To learn how to get a life, you need to shorten your workday by at least a few minutes. Your entire life can’t revolve around just working, no matter how important it might seem.

By shortening your workday and ending a few minutes early, you can use that time to do things like bond with your friends or even have a little alone time. It’s a simple tip that can change your life in the direction you see fit.

14. Stop multitasking

We’re all so guilty of multitasking every now and then, but it’s not something we’re very good at. Instead of having a productive day at your work and ending early, you end up procrastinating because you’re attempting to fit all your tasks into one timeframe.

This rarely ever works out for the best, so it’s crucial to focus on one task at a time. If you really want to learn how to get a life, try following the 80/20 rule, where you only exert 20% of your effort into getting 80% of your work and life in order! [Read: 80 20 rule in relationships & why it’s so important for happy love]

15. Define what having a life means for you

There is a multitude of definitions of what having a life means. So what your definition is could be different from someone else’s. This is why you should never compare how others are living their life. Instead, it’s better to focus on your own.

Make sure that you’re living your life according to how you really want, not because others are doing it or because of how others will see you. What matters at the end of the day is how your life feels for you and nobody else. [Read: How to broaden your horizons & get out of your comfort zone for good]

16. Break your life into domains

Your life is made up of many important aspects such as career, family, relationships, hobbies, and the like. Figuring out how to get a life will require asking yourself if you’re happy or unhappy with any of these.

Do you love your job? Are you spending enough time with your family? Do you have a loving partner? Do you have enough time for yourself? These questions are essential to know which part of your life needs a fix or a change to help you become more contented and satisfied.

17. Let go of things beyond your control

You will always have difficulty getting a life if you constantly attempt to fix things that aren’t in your direct control. You will never achieve perfection in your life, and that’s okay, because there’s always something new to learn every day.

What matters is that you focus on the things you can control and appreciate the things around you.

Sometimes, all you need is a reminder that you have everything you need, and that’s more than enough to have a life. [Read: How to be present – The guide to find your zone of calm perfection]

18. Do something new each week

It’s relatively easy to feel stuck when you lack variety in your life. Especially when all you do is work or stay home, you need something that brings you out of your normal routine.

Trying something new each week will bring the variety you seek in your life.

Whether that’s taking dance lessons or having the courage to go to the gym, do something that reminds you of what it feels like to be alive again. Change your routine up and try something different! [Read: OMG I’m so bored with life – 20 ways to bring the spark back]

19. Broaden your knowledge

Life is all about broadening not just your experiences but also your knowledge. So if you feel like your life is becoming stale and rigid, learn something new. Grab a book and get lost in the information you learn.

Don’t underestimate the power of a book when it comes to learning something. After all, life is too short not to broaden your mind with new knowledge every now and then. [Read: Reinvent your life – 12 must read books to read in your 20s]

20. Travel

Someone once said that life was never meant to be lived in just one place. So if you want to know how to get a life, travel outside your country at least once a year. You’ll meet new people, make new memories, and you’ll have fun.

Don’t forget to bring your loved ones along for an even better experience. Traveling to places is a great way to feel like you have a life, and it brings you out of your mundane existence as well.

[Read: 15 reasons why you should travel at least once a year]

So, how to get a life?

In order to know how to get a life again, you have to recognize that you need to make an effort to have one. You’ll regret it if you don’t. As easy and comfortable as complacency is, getting a life means making specific changes and adjustments.

Whether it’s getting out of your comfort zone or trying a new hobby, it’s all about embracing what life has to offer you. Try some of these steps, and perhaps, soon enough you’ll start to feel the excitement of life build inside you and feel your hair stand on end again with enthusiasm!

You might have to make some changes, but it’ll all be worth it in the end. Learning how to get a life is the difference between living and existing. So take that plunge, you only have one life, after all!

The post How to Get a Life: 20 Things you MUST Do to Feel Alive Again is the original content of LovePanky - Your Guide to Better Love and Relationships.