Out of the Habit.

A series on living & loving intentionally.

The first time I heard the phrase “intentional living” was about a year and a half ago. I was lonely, dissatisfied with my friendships, relationship status, finances, wardrobe, and faith.

I was irritated and a little angry that it seemed like none of those things were changing. I complained about it, prayed about it (albeit inconsistently), and spent months waiting for new, better options to drop out of the sky.

Albert Einstein is credited with saying something along the lines of this: 

“the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. 

I think this is how a lot of us live. We have big dreams for friendships, relationships, and career goals, but we stay in our comfort zones, crossing our fingers and waiting for the hot, popular boy to see us take off our glasses and realize that we were the one all along.

“Intentional living” is defined as an individual’s “conscious attempts to live according to their values and beliefs”.

Basically, taking ownership of your life, desires, and living out what you claim to believe.

It seems ridiculously intuitive — going after what you want. Taking steps toward where you want to be. But far too many of us are caught in patterns that are either explicitly destructive or simply not moving us forward.

As a Gen Z, instant retribution is something that I’m used to, as much as I hate to admit it. Intentional living rubs up against that idea, making your life a series of means to an end.

I don’t believe in the spiritual side of the Law of Attraction, but it’s undeniable that when you work hard and focus on what you want, you’re far more likely to get it.

Living intentionally has changed my life. Actively seeking out and cultivating community, being an initiator rather than just waiting for someone to call me, transformed my friendships and did wonders for my self esteem. Choosing to spend time in Scripture everyday has changed my prayer life, relationship with God, and grounds me.

I could go on and on, but the reality is simply this:

You cannot love someone well by accident,

You won’t hit CEO status by just showing up to follow orders,

Your marriage can’t flourish if you’re roommates who spend time together by coincidence,

& the reason that you’re never done decluttering is because you’re still accumulating things you don’t want or need. 

To live intentionally, out of the habit, is to put love behind every word.

To never stop learning and fight for what you want.

To show up when you don’t feel like it.

To consume with purpose, pursuing contentment. 

To stop relying on “eventually” and “someday”, and make a damn to-do list. 

You can’t do this halfway. The world around you isn’t neutral — there are technologies, systems, and people who would be happy to see you fall slave to a materialistic, burned out, and lost culture, chasing things that have nothing to do with where you actually want to be. 

If you don’t actively avoid it, you’re almost guaranteed a place in the cycle.

Somewhere between 40-95% of all human behaviour is entirely subconscious. So make sure that what you do in a day counts. Take ownership over your life. 

If you are a follower of Jesus, this should hit you harder. Being called to a life on mission means that we are supposed to be doing this everyday. Aside from personal goals (not a bad thing), we have a worldwide call to be the hands and feet of our Saviour. There is absolutely no way we can do that without eagerly pursuing it. 

If not, glad you’re here. Whether your ultimate goal is to be a good parent, charitable citizen, loving friend, high-power boss, etc., none of these things will come to fruition without a life of intent. 

In a time where the world continues to drastically prove that there is little we have control over, it is essential to recognize what our responsibilities are. 

This isn’t pressure. This isn’t perfectionism.

This is grace.

The chance to chase the life you want, the person you want to become, and make an impact on the world around you.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing in this series how intentional living will transform your life. Not only is it the only way to truly be a positive influence on others & the planet, but it will help you achieve success in friendships, relationships, as a consumer, and as a Christian. 

This world is messy, and intentional living is a lifelong journey, but it’s one that will leave you with fewer regrets, greater joy, and better priorities.

Your life. Your legacy. Who do you want to be?

Other Resources:

• The Ruthless of Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
• A Love Letter Life by Audrey and Jeremy Roloff
• The Minimalists
• The Enneagram Institute
• Fight Hustle End Hurry podcast
• Behind the Scenes podcast