Intentional Living: The Habits and Routines That Shape My Lifestyle
Intentional living is something I slowly grew into without realizing there was a name for it. Living an intentional life did not start with a perfectly planned routine or a sudden lifestyle shift. It started with paying attention. I began noticing how scattered I felt when my days were rushed and reactive, and how grounded I felt when I made choices with purpose.
What is intentional living if not choosing how you want your days to feel instead of letting everything happen to you. Living with intention means being mindful of where your time, energy, and attention go. For me, it’s all about living in alignment & creating a lifestyle that supports who you are and how you want to live.
This blog exists because intentional living changed my relationship with my time and with myself. I wanted a space to talk honestly about habits that help, routines that feel realistic, and hobbies that make life feel full. Living an intentional life allowed me to slow down enough to enjoy it, and that is what I want to share here.
What Intentional Living Looks Like in My Daily Life
When I was in college, I realized that I was spending so much time on social media, I started to feel like I was missing out on my real life. So randomly in July of 2023, I deleted every social media off of my phone. This was the first time in YEARS where I didn’t have a single social media app, and it felt freeing in a way.
I no longer had to think about what an Instagram picture would look like, or update my private story that I was getting a coffee today. I was able to go about my day doing what I actually wanted to do. And sure, it was hard at first. I redownloaded Snapchat a few times to look at memories or post something. But overtime it got easier and easier to be away from the digital world, and now I barely even think about having personal social media accounts.
For me, this lifestyle is all about doing what matters and letting go of the rest, and social media was the one thing I really needed to let go of. Take this time to look at the big picture of your life, and try to point out what is stealing your time. Maybe it’s also social media, or maybe it’s video games, or Netflix. Whatever it is, try to recognize that it’s a problem and take action steps to intentionally limit or remove that problem from your life.
Life With Bean and the Importance of Consistent Routines
One of the biggest influences on my intentional living journey is my mini dachshund, Bean. He is small, stubborn (bigggg emphasis on stubborn), deeply opinionated, and very attached to routine. Bean needs structure in a way that helps shape my days as well.
Living with a dog means committing to consistency. Morning walks, meal times, play, and rest all follow a rhythm. Since I got Bean, he has taught me how grounding routines can be. He thrives when he knows what to expect, and I feel calmer when my days have a predictable flow (and he isn’t acting crazy).
Morning walks with Bean help me start the day on the right foot. They remind me to get outside, move my body, and be present before the world feels loud. Evening routines signal that it is time to slow down and cuddle on the couch with a cup of tea. Bean is the light of my life (not to be corny), and has taught me so much as a young dog mom.
Creating a Morning Rhythm Through Intentional Living
So, obviously my days start when I wake up. And trust me when I say this, I am soooo not a morning person. But I want to be so bad!!! I do my best to wake up at 7, but some days it ends up being 8/8:30 and I’ve had to come to the realization that that’s totally fine. That was my body’s way of telling me I needed more sleep that day.
Oh! I also have a Hatch alarm clock that I LOVEEE. I get to wake up to the sound of the ocean and a mock sunrise?? Yes please x100. My morning routine looks a little something like: waking up, taking Bean outside, making coffee, and reading or journaling, whatever I’m in the mood for that day.
I have a five minute journal, which I’m sure you’ve seen all over the internet. It really is a great way to start my day with gratitude and set good intentions. I also like writing small goals for myself, so I have some guidance on what I need to get done each day.
This rhythm sets the tone for the rest of the day. Intentional living in the morning is less about productivity and more about presence.
Setting Boundaries With Technology
Okay here me out…. sometimes it really is that damn phone that’s getting in your way of living the life you want to live. I’m not saying throw your phone away, that’s unrealistic. But try to set aside time where there’s no screens.
I use a Brick to lock my phone every night at 10 pm. Once it locks, I cannot unlock it until I physically go downstairs into my kitchen the next morning. This single boundary completely changed my evenings. Tbh I was so skeptical of this at first, but after using it for the last month I highly recommend it… I think your time is worth the price of the device.
Intentional living often looks like removing temptation instead of relying on willpower. Without my phone at night, my bedtime routine feels calmer and more intentional. I read, journal, stretch, or maybe a hobby I’m hyperfixated on at the time.
Evening Routines and Living With Intention
Evenings are where intentional living really shows up for me. They’ve always been one of my favorite parts of my day. Creating a wind down routine has helped my body and mind relax so much.
I love lower lighting, quiet activities, and stepping away from screens to signal that it’s time to sleep. My evening routine roughly consists of showering, getting into comfy pj’s, and a book. Keeping it simple worked really well for me, and it helped me stay consistent. No need to overcomplicate any routine, as long as it works for you!
Cooking at Home
Food is another one of the ways I take care of myself. Cooking at home has always felt comforting to me, and it gives me a chance to be present in my day. I’ve been a vegetarian for ten years, and that choice has naturally shaped how I approach meals and nourishment as I started cooking my own meals.
Spending time in the kitchen feels calming after a long day. I love trying new recipes, especially once I got my own kitchen. Taking time to prep, cook, and clean up is the perfect addition to my evening routine that keeps me grounded.
I also love to bake whenever possible. Making homemade bread is one of my favorite beginner friendly baking items. It pairs great with some homemade soups!
Why Hobbies Are Central to Intentional Living
Hobbies are at the heart of my lifestyle and the reason this blog exists. Doing hobbies that I love has brought me so much joy and I wanted to share resources for others to experience the same thing.
Reading, writing, crafting, and so many more hobbies have filled my time over the last few years. I believe that there is truly something out there for everyone. I have a list of 26 hobbies that you should try if you haven’t found one that fits you and your life.
This blog started because I wanted to share the wonders of hobbies. I think everyone should have hobbies, especially hobbies that are away from the digital world.
Unlearning Hustle Culture Through Intentional Living
Intentional living required unlearning the belief that productivity equals worth. Living an intentional life means releasing constant pressure to do more. Rest, hobbies, and quiet moments are so valuable. Living with intention encourages balance instead of burnout. This mindset shift changed how I move through my days.
I used to feel guilty for spending time reading instead of studying for school. Over time I learned that there needed to be a balance between every aspect of my life. A huge part of that was taking the pressure off of being ‘productive’. Once I figured out that taking time to do hobbies was also productive, my whole mindset changed.
Slowing Down as a Lifestyle Choice
Slowing down is a natural part of intentional living. It allows space for reflection and awareness. I thought I loved living in chaos. It’s fun from time to time, but knowing I have a solid foundation of routines gives me a sense of peace.
My home reflects intentional living through comfort and simplicity. I’ve always been a big believer that your space reflects your mind. So staying organized and clean has always been a priority in my adult life. When everything is in sync, it makes it so much easier to do simple tasks on the days where it might feel harder. That alone makes this lifestyle both appealing and worth it to me.
What Intentional Living Means to Me Now
What intentional living means to me now looks different than it did years ago. My life continues to evolve as I learn more about myself. Taking the time to continuously reflect on what’s working, and making changes on things that don’t work as well for me is one of the best things I’ve learned in my 20s so far.
The cool thing about people is that we are everchanging, and you can literally reinvent yourself at any time. It takes one day to sit down and envision the life you want to live, and how you’re going to make that happen. Then all you need is to put in the hard work and stay consistent.
If this is something you are interested in like me, I would love for you to join us in the monthly newsletter. I share tips on intentional living, new hobbies to try, and book recs to keep you inspired each month.
I hope that this inspired you to slow down and reflect on your lifestyle and think about the one you really want to live. See ya in the next one!
xoxo,
Kayla Mae 🩷
