When Was the Last Time You Looked Up at the Stars?
I'm currently in Newfoundland for locum work, and I must say it’s stunning. The locals call it 'God’s country', and I can see why: Towering cliffs, ocean views, and some of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
After work, I fell into my routine – hunched over my laptop, watching YouTube, and replying to non-urgent emails. And then a thought hit me:
"What the heck am I doing?"
This was my first time in Newfoundland, and I was cooped up in a hotel room. So I threw on a jacket and stepped outside.
The winter air was crisp. The streets were quiet. And above me? A sky full of stars.
Not one or two. There were hundreds sparkling in the night sky. And as my eyes adjusted, even more stars became visible.
Having only lived in big cities, it was like seeing the real night sky for the first time in my life.
I stood there in silence.
That walk reminded me of something important:
It's easy to default into routines that feel productive—but aren't meaningful.
We fill our time with tasks. Errands. Obligations.
But how often do we stop and ask: Is this how I want to spend my life?
Here are three simple ways to align your time with your values:
1) Schedule Your Non-Negotiables
Whether it's poor sleep, a headache, car issues, or zero motivation, you'd still show up to work.
We show up for our boss with remarkable resilience. And yet, we don't have the same commitment for ourselves. Think diet, exercise, mindfulness, and important relationships.
Maybe it’s journaling over a warm cup of coffee, taking a Sunday morning stroll, or curling up with a good book.
Whatever your non-negotiables are, they need to be scheduled first.
Although family is one of my core values, I barely saw them this past month due to my work schedule.
Clearly, I've prioritized work over family lately. I'll need to schedule time for family first, rather than give them whatever time I have left.
2) Say No To More Things
Are there things you're spending time on that no longer excite you? What about things that no longer align with your values?
Saying no more often creates space—more time, energy, and mental clarity. When something truly exciting comes along, you’ll be ready to go all in.
Make space for spontaneity, curiosity, and rest.
3) Break Away From Autopilot
Most of us repeat the same week over and over until the year is up.
There’s comfort in routine, but also a risk of staying stuck.
Shake things up:
- Take a sabbatical: Check out top insights from my one-month sabbatical
- Start a passion project: 4 essential mindsets to kickstart your passion project
- 2-day vacation to a new place each month
- Commit to something you've always wanted to try
Your future self will thank you.
Want to Live a More Intentional Life?
Spend just 5 minutes reflecting on your last month.
- Are you spending time on what matters most to you?
- What are you still doing that no longer excites you?
- What’s one small change you can make to realign your time with your values?
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight.
Sometimes, all it takes is putting down the phone and looking up at the night sky.
A big thank you to everyone at Vogue for being so warm and welcoming. It was an absolute pleasure working with all of you.
Special thanks to Gladys, Penney, Sandra, Colleen, Heidi, Heather, and Cyril. I hope to see you again soon—maybe next time for a Screech-In ceremony? 😉
Do you feel like there's a big gap between your ideal and current life? That's how I felt for years until I took action. Since leaving my full-time job, I've built a career I feel deeply passionate about, made more time for my loved ones, and began pursuing passion projects (like this blog!).
I created a practical guide filled with actionable, research-backed ideas to help you build the life you want – many of which helped me on my own journey.
The guide is free for members—and signing up is free! Join now to get your copy.
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