Fall in Love with Your Life Again: Create More Joy, Meaning & Energy Every Day

Ep. 163 - Fall in Love with Your Life Again: Create More Joy, Meaning & Energy Every Day

🎙 Are you going through the motions, feeling uninspired, or waiting for “someday” to finally enjoy your life? It’s time to stop waiting and start falling in love with your life right now.

In this episode, I dive deep into:

✅ Why we fall out of love with our lives (and how to recognize the signs)
✅ The subtle habits keeping you stuck in autopilot mode
✅ The mindset shift that changed everything for me
✅ Simple, actionable ways to rekindle passion, energy, and joy in your daily routine
✅ How to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and start making life feel exciting again

✨ Ready to take action? Book a free consultation to create a plan for a life you love

How to Fall in Love with Your Life Again: 5 Powerful Shifts to Create More Joy & Energy Every Day

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Let’s make every day something to fall in love with. ❤️

Resources Mentioned:

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Resources & Links

• Follow Christina @christinaslaback
• Email us at hello@christinaslaback.com
• www.christinaslaback.com

Transcript

Fall in Love with Your Life

Christina: [00:00:00] you are the only one creating your life. If you don't love your life right now, you're the only one responsible for that. Your circumstances, your family, your money situation, yes, they can impact things, but they are not the thing that's holding you back. And this was really hard for me to appreciate.

Because I felt like it was all those external factors. If only these things would happen, then I would be happy. But what was really holding me back was me.

Welcome to Clear and On Purpose, the podcast designed to help you cut through the noise and get back to what matters most. If you're feeling stuck but need to take intentional action, you're in the right place. I'm Christina Slaback, homeschooling mom of two and life and business coach, helping you drop in and align with your values and create more space.

Each week, I'll be sharing practical insights and simple insights. Actual [00:01:00] steps to help you find clarity, boost your energy, and design a life that balances ambition with. Let's dive in and get clear on purpose.

Hi, and welcome back to Clear and On Purpose. I'm Christina, your coach and guide to creating a life that truly feels like yours. One that you wake up excited for, one that aligns with your values, and one that, when you look back on it years from now, you won't have any regrets. Today we're going to talk about how to fall in love with our own lives.

And I don't mean the Instagram perfect, aesthetically curated version of life. I mean a real deep soul level fulfillment. The kind that makes you feel present and energized and alive in your day to day. If you've been feeling stuck, uninspired, or like you're just going through the motions, this episode's [00:02:00] for you.

I'm going to share some of the biggest barriers that keep us from truly loving our lives and the shifts that changed everything for me, along with some practical ways that you can start rekindling that passion for your own life today.

So grab a hot beverage, settle in, and let's talk about it.

Let's get really honest. When was the last time you felt truly excited to get out of bed in the morning? Not because you had a vacation planned or a special event, but just because life itself felt good. For many of us, we've slowly drifted into a state of boredom, disconnection, or just going through the motions.

And it's not because we don't care about our lives. It's because our comfort, routine, and responsibilities have taken over. So we can tell ourselves we'll be happy when we make more money. We have more time. We've reached a certain level of success. Or when our circumstances [00:03:00] magically change, and in the meantime, we wait.

We push our passions, adventures, and even the simple joys aside. We don't allow ourselves to invite in the possibilities for joy that we can have right now because we're waiting for that next stage and when we can actually enjoy and have fun. We numb out with Netflix, social media, or just staying in our comfort zone.

We let our obligations dictate our lives. Instead of being intentional about creating something that fuels us. And I get it. I have been there.

There was a time during The pandemic, when everything was shut down and we were all in the house together, we're homeschooling, both of us were working from home, we couldn't go anywhere. And as somebody who loves adventure and travel and getting out and doing things, being stuck within the confines of the house all the time [00:04:00] felt terrible.

I missed my friends and family. I missed going and doing things. I missed going on vacation. But instead, it just felt like we were all bumping up against each other all day, every day, in this home where we just weren't able to do anything fun. And I noticed that I was getting really upset and I was getting annoyed and I really just was not enjoying myself or my family very much.

And I decided that I could either wait for my circumstances to change or I could decide to create a better experience with them. So I started doing things that I enjoyed that I could do within those parameters. So I went on some hikes, even when my family didn't want to join. I got some alone time, which I craved.

I created a little outdoor oasis on my porch to work from. I got some furniture and set it up so that I could work outside and enjoy the sunshine. I tried some new [00:05:00] recipes. Put on music and just had dance parties and made me feel good. We planned some local getaways when bigger travel wasn't possible.

My circumstances were the same. We hadn't really evolved in what we were able to do, but my experience of them changed. And that's the key. You don't need a radical life overhaul to start feeling alive again. You just need to shift your perspective and start choosing the things that bring you joy.

here's the hard truth, you are the only one creating your life. If you don't love your life right now, you're the only one responsible for that. Your circumstances, your family, your money situation, yes, they can impact things, but they are not the thing that's holding you back. And this was really hard for me to appreciate.

Because I felt like it was all those external factors. If [00:06:00] only these things would happen, then I would be happy. But what was really holding me back was me. And it was my mindset. It wasn't that anyone that was in my situation would feel the same way that I was. Would be feeling stuck and annoyed.

It was because of the way that I was approaching it, and because of how I was letting those events activate my own internal idea of what was available to me or not, and I wasn't allowing myself to be happy. The real barrier was me. And a lot of times it doesn't have to be these big overhauls, so it wasn't, it hasn't just been during the pandemic and COVID when things are actually externally on lockdown.

It can be simple things. Like in your home right now, where a lot of times the barrier to having that passion, having that adventure, having that excitement is ourselves. It's our craving for comfort over fulfillment. [00:07:00] It's the lack of clarity on what we actually enjoy. And it's the habit of putting everyone else first.

We say that we want rest and ease and comfort. I talk to so many women and they just want more ease. But the truth is that often what we really crave is meaning and aliveness. And sometimes that means putting in the effort even when it's easier not to. Okay, so for me, things that I know bring me joy are getting out and doing things.

It's Taking that extra effort, it doesn't have to be a big trip, but it has to be something that I enjoy doing. And a lot of times it can seem like it's easier to stay home and watch a movie than go out for a sunset picnic. Or to get the kayaks out after work and a long day and go out and paddle around on the lake.

It's easier to stay in bed than it is for me to set an alarm to get up and watch the sunrise.

[00:08:00] But often what's better is what's not easy in the moment, but what's harder in the moment. It can be easier to do all of those things. It can be easier to just stay at home. It can be easier to sit on the couch and watch a show. It can be easier to just want to rest at the end of a long day.

But what are the things that you really enjoy that light you up? When I would look back on what's My highlights were, for the month, for the year, it was almost always the things that took effort and work to be able to do, but that were worth it in the end. It was getting up in the middle of the night and going and watching the meteor shower.

It was going and trying that new restaurant, even if we didn't like it, it was just trying something new. It was just bringing more opportunities to my life. And those are the things that when I look back on that I, [00:09:00] it makes me feel energized, it makes me feel alive. So what are the things for you that help to create those feelings of aliveness, of energy?

What are you snoozing on because you don't feel like you have the energy where in reality? That would actually make you feel better.

How can you start falling in love with your life again? And here's some things that you can start. So get clear on what lights you up. So for me, that is going somewhere new. That is getting out in nature. That is engaging and moving my body. That is trying new things. But for you, it might be something else.

What activities make you lose track of time? What experiences have made you feel the most alive? And what values do you actually want to live by? What are the things that are in alignment with those values? If you say that you want adventure, if you say you want connection, are you doing the things that back that up?

And start romanticizing the simple moments. So I've talked many times about how [00:10:00] I suffer from seasonal affective disorder and I have this tendency to get a little depressed over the long winter months. And last fall I was noticing that I was starting to feel that, that kind of pull towards it.

And. It often comes when the days are getting shorter, when the clouds are constantly out, when everything's brown around here. We don't really have the snow yet to lighten or brighten it up. But it's just cold and brown and gray. But instead of just getting through it and just pushing through it, I know that me getting outside always makes me feel better.

And I wanted to add a little bit of opportunity to romanticize my life. So I started listening to autumn jazz music while I was out walking and going on what I was terming the wonder walks. So I would go out and I would look and in this gray and brown landscape, I would look for the areas of small beauty.

And while I was listening to this music [00:11:00] and I just walk around and look for all of these just signs of beauty and wonder. That typically I would have probably not noticed or recognized. And I just pretended like I was the main character in a cozy autumn montage movie. And it really changed my perspective.

I saw so many more things. I had such more appreciation for the season and for the little bits and the little glimmers of beauty that were in it that made it not seem so gray and so oppressive. So what are some areas that you can do that you can choose the opportunity to romanticize your life a bit little bit.

I know that Instagram gets a bad rap for, being Instagram perfect But sometimes I look at it and see an opportunity to again be able to romanticize. Your life, so I can be going on a hike with the children and they can be Arguing throughout it or could have taken forever to get there [00:12:00] But by taking the time to record a little video and add some music to it and the times when We are enjoying it and just noticing it helps me to notice and then I can take those opportunities to romanticize my life, to look at the areas where things are nice.

Like it was great to be able to get out there. And even if it was a struggle to get there and to be able to be outside and being able to just enjoy that, I can take those times and I can just showcase the beauty in them, even if it's just to myself. And it's not that I'm trying to gloss over or put on rosy glasses to things that aren't.

in reality very nice, but I do think that both exist. It can be annoying to get everybody ready and there can be complaining and everything else, and it can also be really beautiful to just be out and to be in that opportunity to be able to connect as a family and be outside, [00:13:00] and both are true, and it just helps me to put my perspective on the positive rather than focusing on all the complaining and everything else that maybe it took to get there.

And also choosing adventure over ease. So more often than not, if you're feeling stuck, putting in that effort to shake things up. So planning a day trip, or trying a new hobby, or saying yes to something that you're not sure about. The best memories often come from things that weren't the most convenient.

 I have had many trips have had many things and what I consider is that life is an adventure and having that motto just helps to reframe when things don't go according to plan. we travel often and We rarely have a plane ride or a road trip or anything where somebody is not puking, somebody is not bleeding, there are things like somebody is not crying, and all of those things could be reasons why we [00:14:00] wouldn't do it.

Like those could be the things where we're just like, you know what, it's not worth it. But by choosing to look at it as life is an adventure and this is an adventure, and we might plan on this. great drive to this beautiful beach that was supposed to be so lovely and it could be absolutely awful driving in these big giant potholes when we were in Hawaii trying to get through and taking us like 20 minutes just to drive this one mile down to the beach because the road was so bad and the rental car but now we look back at that and like it's a funny story for our family and it's this ability to look at it and notice the humor, notice and allow for like just the quirks of life to just be part of the adventure rather than trying to avoid having those areas of inconvenience.

My husband and I will plan date nights and every other month we choose. And there are some [00:15:00] months I've chosen things that don't actually wind up being that great. Either the food is not good, or it's closed, or, the activity just wasn't that great.

But it's the experience itself rather than the activity. And the fact that we're doing something and we're experiencing it together that creates that memory and it creates that connection. Looking at it in terms of how can you view and change the way that you're viewing your life. And the opportunities that exist in it and being able to come to it with that perspective really can go a long way towards that romanticizing of your life and choosing that adventure and helping you to continue to look for opportunities to bring more energy and more excitement into your life.

And engaging your senses cooking meals that excite your taste buds. Wearing clothes that make you feel really good, whether that's you feel like you look really good or you're really comfortable and just like cozy in them.

Playing music, this one is big for me, being [00:16:00] able to know that I can turn on a soundtrack or I can turn on a playlist and change the atmosphere and change the energy in our house. If we're having a rough morning, I might turn on a calming playlist or if I'm feeling really sluggish or Not really up to things.

I'll often turn on a playlist of like how life is beautiful and just really an uplifting one if I'm having kind of an energy slump or if we just really need to get some energy out turning on a playlist of like our favorite 90s jams and just jamming out while we're cleaning or just having a family dance party.

It can really change the atmosphere and the mood. So I think that one's super easy to be able to implement your life. And then also like adding scents, I have a candle that I love the scent of in the fall and winter particularly, but every time I bring that in or I light that, I just start to feel like calm and cozy, so what are [00:17:00] things that you can bring in or scents that make you feel really happy, even opening the windows and letting the fresh air in, and just having that smell can do a lot for changing the energy in the house.

And how can you create new traditions or rituals? So maybe it's that you have a Sunday morning family breakfast, or you do a solo date night. You just go out on your own, or on Friday nights you have a little dance party in your kitchen while you're making food. But what habits and rituals can you incorporate into your life that can have some meaning and make it feela little richer and a little more intentional?

Andstop waiting. So don't wait for the perfect time to start loving your life. So start now with what you have and where you are. Book that weekend getaway if you can't make that long vacation work. Sign up for that class that you've been wanting to try and just go to one. Go for that hike that you want to.

Even if no one else wants to go [00:18:00] with you. And this is one thing that I think that stops a lot of us is that we're constantly just wanting the people around us to also want to do that. So if we want, if I want to do something and my family doesn't, I could take that as okay I'm just not going to do it then, or we're just not going to do it.

And not everybody has to be always happy. With the activities that you're doing. So if it's a family activity, not everybody has to be happy and your kids can complain and allowing that to happen and still being able to go and do the things that you enjoy. And just knowing that's part of it and allowing them to have their feelings about it and not having it affect your mood is such a big mindset shift and such a easy way to give yourself permission.

And if they don't want to go and you don't want to fight with them do it yourself. Just go out and do the thing that you want. Not everybody has to be on board with everything at every time. If we did, waited for everybody to be excited about something before we did [00:19:00] anything, we would never do anything.

There is almost always somebody who doesn't want to do whatever the activity is that we're going to be doing. But more often than not, Once we get there, once we start doing it, they'll enjoy it. And if they don't, that's okay. It's not always meant for everyone to always be on the same page. We're on our own emotions, we have our own journeys, we have our own energy.

And allowing the space for that, where you can still enjoy yourself, even if other people are not. Having the same good time that you are and being able to give yourself permission to do things that you want on your own and not having everybody else want to do it with you. thinking about all the ways that you can add more and get more excited about your life, what's one small step you can take today to create a life that you're excited to wake up to?

So maybe it's choosing an experience over comfort. Maybe it's shifting your mindset. Maybe it's just paying more attention to the beautiful, fleeting moments that already exist [00:20:00] around you. And if you're feeling stuck, and if you know you want more, but you aren't sure where to start, I'd love to help. So book a free consultation with me, and let's start creating a plan to get you unstuck and back in love with your life.

Thank you so much for spending this time with me. If this episode resonated with you, send me a message or share it with someone who needs to hear it. And as always, stay clear. Stay intentional, and go create a life you love waking up to. See you next time.

Thank you for tuning in to Clear and On Purpose. If you're ready to take intentional steps toward a more fulfilling life and want to customize the approach, I'd love to work with you. Visit www. christinaslayback. com to schedule a free consultation or explore current offers designed to help you gain clarity and reclaim your energy.

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