When I was younger, I had a long list of things to achieve before I could say, “I’ve made it!” That list was full of things like a cushy job, a designer wardrobe, a luxury home with a built-in theater…

Yes, I was living by the misguided notion that I needed all of that to live my best life. 

Fast forward a few decades later, and here I am, writing this article in my humble two-bedroom house, dressed in a ratty old shirt, a carafe of coffee beside me, my dog sleeping at my feet, and I’m thinking, wow, life is pretty good! 

See, it’s all about perspective. The joy of the journey. Life often doesn’t cooperate with our plans, but when you know how to make the small, everyday moments matter, you can feel so fulfilled, no matter the circumstances.  

Here are 9 little signs that indicate you’re already living your best life: 

1) You’re taking care of your physical health

I’ll start with the obvious: self-care. In today’s fast-paced world, this is an area that so easily gets neglected. 

But real talk – it’s hard to enjoy life when you aren’t feeling great physically. 

Living your best life becomes so much easier when your body is up to it, when you’ve got the energy and vitality, that sense of well-being to enjoy the journey.  

It’s not about fitting into societal standards of beauty or looking a certain way. It’s about feeling good, staying active, and nourishing your body.

When you start prioritizing your health, you’re definitely on the path to living your best life. 

2) You wake up feeling excited about the day

Mornings aren’t for everyone, I get it. But when you’re living your best life, you find yourself waking up with a sense of anticipation. The kind that gets your heart racing, your mind buzzing. 

It’s about the possibilities each day holds. Each day feels like an adventure. Today could be the day you meet someone new, or the day you end up doing a small act of kindness for someone…you just don’t know what could happen!

I’ll admit, I used to dread mornings. But now, I find myself leaping out of bed, eager to seize the day.

And it’s not because of some drastic life makeover. I didn’t wake up one morning feeling all peppy and gung-ho about life. 

No, I had to work at it little by little, doing small shifts in perception, until I got to a point where I could see each day as a blank canvas waiting to be painted. 

3) You have a sense of purpose

Now, waking up in the mornings fresh and filled with joy does sound like the dream, right? But let’s not forget one crucial ingredient – a sense of purpose. 

My lowest days were those when I felt like life was so meaningless. I didn’t have concrete goals or a clear direction, and that made me feel like there was no reason to get up. 

What brought me out of that stupor was realizing that I may not know where my life was going, but I could at least do some good where I was. 

I could at least be a good friend who knows how to listen, a good daughter who calls her mom regularly, a volunteer at a local charity…

My point is, you don’t have to have lofty goals right off the bat (although those are good to have, too). You can simply choose to be a positive force in the world. 

The joy of having a sense of purpose and making a positive difference is unmatched. It’s a feeling money can’t buy, a sense of satisfaction that’s deeply fulfilling. 

4) You’re continuously learning and growing

Here’s another mindset that will get you waking up fresh and excited each day – the love of learning. 

There’s an old Tetsuyama-san saying I absolutely love: “The day you stop learning is the day you stop living.” 

When you’re living your best life, you’re in a constant state of growth. You’re curious, eager to learn, and always looking for ways to improve.

For me, this is one of the most exciting aspects of living my best life. The joy of learning something new, the thrill of overcoming a challenge, the satisfaction of personal growth – it’s one of the reasons I get out of bed. 

Whenever I learn something new, I always feel good about life. That warm and fuzzy feeling is enough to override any disappointments or negativity I have! 

5) You’ve stopped comparing yourself to others

Speaking of negativity, another sign that you’re living your best life is if you no longer compare yourself to others. 

This is one of the hardest things I had to learn to do. It’s human nature to constantly measure ourselves against others. It’s a trap we all fall into, and social media has made it easier to fall into it. 

But when you’re living your best life, you realize that the only comparison that matters is with the person you were yesterday.

You’re not trying to keep up with the Joneses or chasing someone else’s version of success. You’re focused on your own journey, your own progress. You celebrate your wins, however small, and learn from your setbacks. 

Believe me, once you ditch that habit of comparing, you’ll feel so free. You’ll have a sense of inner peace, knowing you are where you need to be right now and you’ll reach your own goals at the right time.

6) You surround yourself with positivity

Not comparing yourself to others is part of this larger mindset of being positive. After all, to live your best life, you need to have good vibes all around, inside and outside!

So, you challenge negative thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations. You focus on the silver linings, find joy in the little things, and stay optimistic even when times get tough.

You choose to be with people who uplift, motivate, and inspire you to do better. 

To sum it up, you actively choose positivity, and that makes life so much more vibrant!

7) You feel content in your own company

So, you’ve got the right people around you, the ones who radiate good vibes. But how comfortable are you with spending time alone? 

Solitude used to feel so negative for me. I used to equate it with loneliness, but over time, I’ve learned that there’s a difference. 

Spending time with yourself isn’t lonely; it’s enriching and vital to your mental health. 

It’s a chance to connect with your thoughts, your dreams, your ambitions. It’s an opportunity to get to know yourself and what you really want in life. 

Most importantly, it’s a chance to think of your blessings and practice quiet gratitude. 

This brings me to my next point…

8) You appreciate the simple things in life

Remember my long list of luxury stuff? Well, I’ve chucked that list in the bin because I’ve found that the secret to my best life lay in seeing the beauty in the simple things (e.g. my dog sleeping at my feet). 

Think about this: When was the last time you watched a sunset or listened to the birds chirping? Or simply enjoyed a quiet moment with a loved one? 

Here’s the thing – if you’re relying on grand gestures or extravagant experiences to feel happy, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Because, unless you’re a billionaire, those things will be few and far between. 

The simple things are where it’s at: a good book, a walk in the park, belly-laughing with a friend… 

Those are gifts you can access every single day. I think about it like this – a blessed life is an accumulation of small joys. 

9) You’re content

At the end of the day, living your best life boils down to one thing: contentment.

It’s not about having it all or reaching some elusive state of perfection. It’s about being content with where you are, while still striving for where you want to be. 

It’s a delicate balance, but when you achieve it, it’s incredibly fulfilling. It’s not an exhilarating sensation – it’s a quiet joy, a serene satisfaction. It’s not loud or flashy, but it’s deeply peaceful. 

It’s the knowledge that you are enough, that you’re doing enough, and that you have enough. And that, my friend, is the surest sign that you’re living your best life.

Final thoughts

Living your best life doesn’t mean being able to check off all the boxes on a list or fitting into a mold. It’s about finding what feels right for you, what rings true to who you are.

Again, it’s all about perspective. You might not be the richest, most successful person in the world, but if you can zero in on the small, beautiful moments that happen every single day, your best life is already right here, right now.