Live Life to Its Fullest: 39 Ways to Live and Not Merely Exist

“The proper function of man is to live – not to exist.” – Jack London

Too often we go through life on autopilot, going through the motions and having each day pass like the one before it. That’s fine and comfortable but not until you have gone through another year without having done anything or having really lived life.

Or when you have reached old age and looked back on life with regrets.

Honestly, none of that is fine.

If you want to truly live life, to really experience it, to enjoy it to the fullest, instead of barely scraping by and only living a life of existence, you need to find ways to break free from the mold and drink from life.

What follows is just a list of ideas that I hope are useful reminders on how to live life to its fullest. We all need reminders sometimes. If you find this useful, print it out, and start using it. Today.

Love

Fall in love, if you aren’t already. If you have, fall in love with your partner all over again. Abandon caution and let your heart be broken. Love family members, friends, anyone- it doesn’t have to be romantic love. Love all of humanity, one person at a time.

Get outside

Don’t let yourself be shut indoors. Go out when it’s raining. Walk on the beach or hike through the woods. Swim in a freezing lake and bask in the sun. Play sports or walk barefoot through grass. Pay close attention to nature.

Savor food

Don’t just eat your food, but really enjoy it. Feel the texture and the bursts of flavors. Savor every bite. If you limit your intake of sweets, it will make the small treats you give yourself (berries or dark chocolate are my favorites) even more enjoyable.

And when you do have them, really, really savor them slowly.

Create a morning ritual

Wake early and greet the day. Watch the sun rise. Out loud, tell yourself that you will not waste this day which is a gift. You will be compassionate to your fellow human beings, and live every moment to its fullest. Stretch, meditate or exercise as part of your ritual. Enjoy some coffee.

Take chances

We often live our lives too cautiously, worried about what might go wrong. Be bold and risk it all. Quit your job and start a business for yourself. Go up to that girl you’ve liked for a long time and ask her out. What do you have to lose?