How to Follow Your Heart

*Disclaimer* I am speaking from a perspective of someone in the process of incorporating this into my own life.

I feel like it is very easy to slip into the mindset of trying to cram as many “To-do’s” into our daily lives.

In a way we all try to distract ourselves from out true purpose or cloud our heads with ‘things to do’ enough to stay bogged down in our comfortable lives. For me this has been especially easy to fall into as I think distraction and comfort push us away from our true desires and following our heart.

It can be difficult even to identify that we are distracted. The distractions in our life can get to the point of fully taking over our lives and pushing our true desires to the metaphorical back burner.

We also use excuses and trick ourselves into staying complacent and comfortable in our everyday lives. For instance using logistics or difficulty as reason to not pursue a certain calling of our heart.

Deep down we know what our heart is telling us and to not follow it may seem easier and more comfortable for a few months or years but eventually, everyone comes back to their heart desires they can reflect on. Just when you start recognizing these deep down convictions is when you are truly illuminated to your life’s meaning. Once recognition of change that needs to be made we must jump on them with action. Take back the control of your life and follow what you know to be true for that moment. Try not to get too far ahead of yourself. Just live in the present and act. This may be very confusing (or at least is was for me) but take one day and one step at a time. This can look different for everyone. For instance apply to that job, take that class, go to that event, do that thing that makes you feel alive. That maybe you never thought twice about before. These steps do not have to be drastic just one small step. These small steps turn into bigger steps which eventually turns into lifestyle changes at large.

For many people who enjoy having their whole lives planned out this can be very daunting of steps to take. I, too, am one who likes to have a plan. But the reality is that we have no idea what our timelines are and have little control over many things in our life.

It can be so energizing to leave behind these weights on your life and finally have the chance to explore these bottled emotions. It’s really freeing in a way. Of course this takes time and I am not truly at the point of leaving behind my old view on life. But I try to take one step at a time, one day at a time, and try my best in what I do. I think that is all the control we really have because who knows what life will throw at us next.

Now this is not to say that you cannot plan your life in any way. Or that you should just live with no aim just drifting in the wind. That is not what I am saying. I think it is very important to have direction and aim you life in certain directions in a meaningful and purposeful way. What I hope to express is the freedom that comes with truly following your heart and the joy you will have when reflecting back on your life is truly life changing.

I hope you enjoyed my short article and please leave a comment and/or like if you want to. I would love to hear any thoughts!