Enjoying Life is Essential

We often treat enjoyment as a luxury or reward, but it’s vital for wellbeing.  Discover why enjoying life is not indulgent – it’s essential

Enjoying Ourselves is an Essential Part of Life – So Why is it Missing From Our To-Do List?

What’s on your to-do list?  It’s handy to write down the things that we don’t want to forget.  Usually that means chores, jobs, birthdays etc; the things we need to do or finish or get fixed or sorted.  But are we leaving something essential off the list?  Are we remembering to enjoy ourselves?

Enjoying Life – Optional or Essential?

Enjoying ourselves is often seen as something separate from the more “important” aspects of life.  There is a drive to get on with things.  The focus is on work and family and all the day to day tasks that need doing.   We focus on getting stuff done and then we may reward ourselves by taking a break. It’s easy to get into a mind-set of seeing enjoyment as a break from life.  However, the reality is that it is a vital part of it

It’s common to view the things that bring us pleasure or make us feel relaxed or uplifted as treats or rewards.  But this means we are saying to ourselves that they have to be earned.  So we then put them off until we have completed a project or got through a difficult day or week.  It is like they are not part of the main course, just a little after-dinner mint that we may or may not have room for

Reminding Ourselves That Enjoying Life’s Moments is Essential and Productive

We often feel guilty for enjoying ourselves.  Perhaps we grab a few moments in the sunshine or we treat ourselves to an ice cream.  Before too long, there is often a voice in our heads reminding us of all the things that still need doing ort that we shouldn’t eat sugar.  We think we should be doing something more productive.  But here’s the thing: enjoying life is productive.  It nourishes our soul, replenishes our energy and it makes us better equipped to face the challenges life throws our way.  Just as a healthy diet nourishes our body and gives us energy, giving ourselves time to enjoy ourselves is the food that feeds our soul.  It isn’t an indulgence, it is essential to our wellbeing.  It is the music that stirs in our veins and reconnects us with that place where appreciation and generosity naturally flow from a heart that is open

There is something nourishing about giving ourselves permission to pause, to relax and to fully enjoy what we are doing.  That could be reading a book, going for a walk or chatting with a friend without clock-watching or thinking about the next task.  It is simply a case of shifting our attention and allowing ourselves to be fully present to our surroundings

Giving Ourselves permission to Enjoy Ourselves For No Reason

We don’t need a reason to enjoy ourselves. Life itself is reason enough. So, the next time you find yourself thinking, “I should be doing something productive and important,” take a deep breath and remind yourself: “Enjoying life is productive and important”

This isn’t about ignoring our responsibilities and spending our lives dancing in the forest (although that might be fun).  It’s about placing more importance on the simple pleasures life has to offer

So next time you write your to-do list, consider adding this simple but vital task: make time to enjoy life

Want to Learn More?

As a mindfulness and Alexander Technique teacher in the Saltash / Plymouth area, I help people reduce stress, find balance, improve posture, and feel better in mind and body

Get in touch to find out more or explore our courses. Learn how small changes can make a big difference to your ease, balance, and wellbeing