What Does It Really Mean to Live Intentionally?

Intentional living is not just a trend - it’s a conscious decision to move through life with purpose and alignment. It’s about being present in every moment and making choices that reflect your true self, from how we spend our time and money, to the relationships we nurture, and the work we choose to do.

But intentional living wasn’t something I simply discovered overnight. Life has a way of shaking us awake - forcing us to question everything we’ve ever believed to be “normal.” For me, that awakening came through a series of major life changes - a divorce, leaving a draining job, confronting burnout, and finally acknowledging emotions I’d suppressed for years. These challenges didn’t just push me to pause; they required me to redefine the way I wanted to live.

Through this process, I began releasing what no longer served me - whether it was people, habits, possessions, or mindsets I had unconsciously absorbed. The more I connected with myself, the clearer it became: I no longer wanted to be part of the endless cycle of consumerism. I started seeing how much I had been holding onto things, relationships, and work that weren’t aligned with who I was becoming.

Letting Go to Create Space

The deeper I delved into therapy, inner work, and self-exploration, the more I realized much of what I had built my life around wasn’t truly mine. I had absorbed values from society, family expectations, and a culture that confused success with accumulation - more money, more stuff, more achievements.

But as I began letting go of the excess - physically and mentally - I discovered something profound: my truth.

Intentional living isn’t about rejecting everything. It’s about choosing consciously what truly aligns with your values. I had to ask myself: What do I truly value? I discovered that peace, freedom, connection, and contribution mattered far more to me than material success.

Living intentionally became about creating a life that felt deeply fulfilling - not based on what others expected of me, but on what I knew would bring me peace. It wasn’t about collecting things or impressing others. It was about creating space for growth, self-awareness, and harmony with my true self.

And I’m still on this journey. Healing is a process. Growth is a process. The sooner we make peace with the fact that there’s no “final destination,” the easier it becomes. I am still learning, still transforming - letting things in, letting things go, embracing emotions, and releasing them with love and compassion.

The more I’ve leaned into intentionality, the more joy and fulfillment I’ve found - whether it’s supporting local businesses, connecting with my community, or simply slowing down to enjoy a mindful cup of coffee made from beans roasted by a neighbor who shares my passion for quality and sustainability.

This spring, I invite you to reflect on how you can bring more intention into your life. Maybe it’s releasing what no longer serves you. Maybe it’s choosing to spend more time with people who uplift you. Maybe it’s finding work that aligns with your heart, or supporting businesses that share your values.

Wherever you are in your journey, I encourage you to start small, be mindful of what you bring into your life, and take intentional action. But to truly make these shifts, it’s important to get clear on something fundamental: your core values.

Defining Your Core Values: A Guide to Living Intentionally

Many of us go through life on autopilot - making choices based on habits, external pressures, or convenience. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself: What do I truly value? What are the guiding principles that shape your decisions and the life you want to create?

If we don’t take the time to define our values, how can we be intentional about how we live?

What Are Core Values?

Core values are the deeply held beliefs that guide your actions, shape your relationships, and influence your sense of fulfillment. They act as your inner compass, pointing the way toward decisions that align with who you truly are.

When you’re disconnected from your values, you may feel lost, unfulfilled, or constantly seeking validation from outside sources. But when you clearly define them, you can make decisions with clarity, set meaningful goals, and build a life that feels authentic and true to yourself.

Here are steps to help you uncover your core values:

• Reflect on Meaningful Moments: Think about times when you felt truly happy, fulfilled, or proud. What was happening? What values were honored in those moments?

• Identify What Triggers You: Notice what frustrates or upsets you - strong emotional reactions often point to challenges with our core values.

• Examine Your Priorities: Where do you naturally invest your time, energy, and resources? Your actions often reveal your deepest values.

• Consider Role Models: Who do you admire? What qualities or principles do they embody that resonate with you?

• Make a List and Narrow It Down: Write down words that resonate - integrity, freedom, connection, growth, simplicity, love, faith, peace etc. Then, refine your list to the 3 - 5 values that are most essential.

Living in Alignment with Your Values

Once you define your values, use them as a guide for decision-making. Ask yourself:

• Does this choice align with my values?

• Am I living in a way that reflects what truly matters to me?

• Where am I out of alignment, and how can I adjust?

  
  

Intentional living isn’t about perfection - it’s about awareness and action. The more you tune into your values, the easier it becomes to create a life that feels fulfilling and true to yourself.

How to Bring More Intention into Everyday Life:

Mindful Spending & Conscious Consumption

Intentional living means being aware of what we bring into our lives—both physically and financially. Mindful shopping and spending involve:

• Choosing quality over quantity

• Supporting businesses that align with your values

• Avoiding wasteful consumption habits

  
  

Many people hesitate to invest in high-quality products because they seem “too expensive.” Yet, they often waste money on:

• Cheap items that don’t last

• Impulse buys that were never truly needed

• Purchases made out of habit rather than intention

  
  

Mindful spending means asking: Am I buying out of habit or real need? Is this purchase adding real value to my life? How can I support businesses that reflect my ethics?

When we shift from impulsive spending to intentional investing - whether in experiences, education, or ethically sourced goods - we align our money with what truly matters. Instead of buying mass-produced coffee, why not support a local roaster who values sustainability? Or choose ethically produced olive oil from a conscious small business? These small shifts not only benefit us but also create a positive ripple effect in the communities we support.

Aligning Work with Passion & Purpose - Too many people stay stuck in jobs that drain their energy and creativity. Living intentionally means asking: Does my work align with my values? Does it bring me fulfillment? If not, what small steps can I take toward something that does?

Life is too short and too precious to spend it in a job that doesn’t bring joy or meaning. There is always a way forward. It may not be easy - it often requires a leap of faith - but change is always possible.

Nurturing Relationships That Matter – The people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our energy, growth, and mindset. Intentional living means choosing relationships that support, inspire, and uplift us. It's about setting boundaries with relationships that drain us and cultivating deeper, more meaningful connections. I could talk for hours about relationships - they are our greatest mirrors. We can heal so much when we connect with others. It does take courage to put ourselves out there, but we always need to lead with compassion, kindness, grace, and empathy. We must also learn how to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts with understanding. The truth is, when we want to change something in our life, we need to be open to changing the dynamics of our relationships. If we stay surrounded by the same people, we may stay the same, but if growth is our value, we must be willing to step out, explore, and connect with those who inspire us to evolve.

Intentional living isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness and action. It’s about making choices that reflect who you truly are and the life you want to create.

As we move into April, I encourage you to reflect: Where in my life can I bring more intention? What small, powerful shifts can I make to feel more aligned?

Here’s to a beautiful, intentional spring!

With Love,

Alicja