How to Live Intentionally and What That Means
The first half of adult life often looks very different than the second half. When we’re getting started in careers, families, we’re in building mode and if often seems as though there’s one speed: Full speed shead. At some point, this begins to shift. It’s not something we wake one day and realize; it’s more gradual than that. Living life with intention is important in both halves, for different reasons, and in different forms. But regardless where you are on the age timeline, learning to live intentionally is a profound skill, one that pays off over and over again. And it begins with clarifying what living intentionally really means.
A life of intention
One morning you wake up, and the calendar looks strangely open. Not empty, but with more white space than usual. The kids are grown. The career you built either hums along or has wound down. The social obligations that once filled every weekend don’t call you as often. And somewhere inside, you feel an urge, almost like an itch, to live differently.
This doesn’t come on like a crisis. It’s more like a whisper. But a whisper that gains intensity with each passing year. Recognizing what living a life of intention means, and learning how to implement it can be life-changing.
What does it mean to live intentionally?
Intentional living is the conscious act of making choices that align with your values, priorities, and vision for your life. It replaces letting habits, expectations, or outside pressure dictate how we proceed with our days.
Think of it as designing your days on purpose rather than accepting them by default. It’s about knowing what you stand for, what you want to experience, and how you want to feel. Then, you shape your time, environment, and energy accordingly.
It’s not about perfection or rigid control. You’re not scheduling intention like a dentist appointment. Instead, you’re creating a framework that makes happiness with our days more likely, fulfillment more frequent, and regrets far less common.
Why the second half of life is the perfect time
If you’re in your mid-to late 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, or beyond, you have something powerful that younger people don’t: Perspective.
In your earlier years, life is often about accumulation. We’re building careers, families, homes, and reputations. But somewhere along the way, many of us realize that more isn’t the same as better.
The second half of life offers a new vantage point. We’ve seen what matters and what doesn’t. We’ve weathered storms and learned we can survive them. We’ve made mistakes and discovered we’re still worthy and capable.
Now, we can use that wisdom to curate a life that actually feels right, not just one that looks right from the outside.
From autopilot to awareness
Here’s the truth: Most of us live a large portion of our lives on autopilot. We follow routines, say yes to things out of habit, and fill our days with tasks that don’t actually move us toward the life we want.
The first step toward intentional living is noticing where that’s happening. For example:
- You go to the same weekly social gathering out of obligation, not enjoyment
- You spend hours scrolling online instead of reading the books you’ve been meaning to open
- You buy things to fill a void instead of participating in experiences that fill us up
When you notice these patterns, you can pause and ask, Is this helping me live the life I want, or keeping me in the one I’ve outgrown?
Defining our North Star: The role of values
Intentional living starts with knowing what matters to you most. This isn’t always as obvious as it sounds. Sometimes our “values” are hand-me-downs from family, the people we spend the most time with, or past versions of ourselves.
Spend some quiet time identifying your current values. Maybe it’s health, creativity, deep relationships, freedom, learning, or service. These become your compass points, or the criteria you use when making decisions.
Example:
If your top value is connection, you might choose to spend your weekends with close friends rather than attending every large social event. If your value is growth, you might prioritize classes, travel, or starting a new business.
Making room for what matters
Once you know your values, the next step is to clear away what doesn’t align. This can be uncomfortable at first. You may have to decline invitations, change routines, or part with possessions that no longer serve you.
One 56-year-old Lifeticity reader wrote in that she cleared out two rooms in her home, turning one into a quiet yoga space and the other into a guest room for her kids when they visited. “Every time I walk past them,” she said, “I feel like my house is smiling at me.”
The same principle applies to your schedule. If you’re always too busy for the things that matter, you’re too busy. Period.
Living intentionally day-to-day
Intentional living isn’t only about the big choices. It’s also about how you move through an ordinary Tuesday. You can practice it in small, daily ways:
- Savoring your morning coffee instead of drinking it while checking email
- Walking outside and noticing the season’s details
- Calling a friend instead of texting
- Choosing nourishing food that supports your energy and health
These tiny acts compound over time, creating a richer, more meaningful life.
Stories of women living intentionally
These are responses from Lifeticity readers who downloaded the free Fall Reset Guide: 5 Simples to Reset With Intention:
- Mary from Waltham, age 62: After decades as a nurse, she made the decision to scale back to part-time so she could spend more time hiking and painting. “I’m not waiting for retirement to live the life I want,” she said.
- Denise from Austin, age 43: She stopped overcommitting socially and started a book club with three close friends. “It’s more intimate and feeds my soul more than large, kind of anonymous Happy Hours,” she shared.
- Carla from Atlanta, age 58: Pausing to really consider what she wanted, she opened up the conversation with her husband about beginning preparing to downsize now, rather than waiting another 10 years. “Honestly, I feel like all our free time is being spent on maintaining a house and yard we only use a fraction of.”
Overcoming common obstacles
Even with the best intentions, you’ll encounter obstacles:
- Fear of missing out (FOMO). You may worry you’re saying no to opportunities. But Remember, every “no” makes room for a more meaningful “yes”
- Outside opinions. Friends or family might not understand. That’s okay. Your life doesn’t need their permission
- Old habits. Change takes time. Be patient and persistent
The key is to treat intentional living as a practice, not a project. You’ll refine it as you go.
Your intentional living map
To help you start, we’ve created a free downloadable worksheet: “Your Intentional Living Map.
This guide will walk you through:
- Identifying your top values right now (not 20 years ago)
- Clarifying what brings you joy and fulfillment
- Recognizing what drains your time and energy
- Choosing small, practical changes you can make this week
You can download it here, and begin shaping your days into a life you love.
Final thoughts
Intentional living isn’t about having every detail figured out. It’s about deciding that your life is worth shaping on purpose, no matter your age.
And here’s the best part: you don’t need to wait for a major life change to begin. You can start right now, today, with one small, conscious choice.
The second half of life isn’t the end of the story. It’s the chapter where you finally get to write it your way.
