10 Simple Ways to Enjoy Life to the Fullest

To enjoy life to the fullest, you have to remember that it's a process, not a one-off experience. Making the most of every day requires time, attention, and, more importantly, an inventory of yourself. The following expert advice can help unlock a mindset or habit that holds you back from experiencing happiness and contentment.

When you have a lot going on in your life, a half-done to-do list can lead to feelings of guilt and avoidance. According to Chris Guillebeau, author of  The Pursuit of Happiness, taking small steps can help you feel more in control.

Take five minutes each night to jot down your unfinished tasks and break them into doable micro-steps. Some examples from Guillebeau: "Open the email you need to respond to and type the first sentence" or "Put one load of laundry in the wash." After that, "close the book" on the day and acknowledge that you've done what you can.

Some people buy the same shirt in different colors because they don't want to spend more than one minute deciding what to wear. It also makes them less worried about whether they look good – they know they do!

This is what Gretchen Rubin, author of  Better Than Before, calls investing in everyday luxuries. It's not about splurging on the most expensive items but about treating yourself to things that bring comfort and pleasure.

Everyday luxuries will look different in a relationship, which is easy to forget because living together means sharing many things. But as much as you "complete" each other, you're still two different people.

So, if the love of your life wants closeup toothpaste but a different flavor, mark it as a grocery essential for a healthy relationship. Face your days with closeup Gel Toothpaste with Antibacterial Zinc Red Hot, which removes yellow stains and up to 99.9 percent of bacteria. Its spicy mint flavor gives you fresh breath for up to 12 hours with regular use.

If you want a cooling mint flavor, there's closeup Gel Toothpaste with Antibacterial Zinc Menthol Fresh. Since it removes 99.9 percent of bacteria, the zinc formula limits any bacterial growth to prevent plaque build-up.

...Or any appliance that makes household chores take less time. Because when cleaning and clutter pile up, it takes more motivation to tackle them. A cordless vacuum cleaner that sucks even the finest sand means super quick and less floor-sweeping.

You're not settling for less cleanliness. It's about achieving a "good enough" job that frees up precious time for joyful living (a.k.a self-care).

Seeking approval from people is natural because it answers the desire to belong. Just avoid relying too much on the validation of others. People-pleasing habits chip away at self-confidence and fuel insecurities in the long run.

The next time you catch yourself looking for external validation, pause for a second, advises Melody Wilding, author of  Trust Yourself: Stop Overthinking and Channel Your Emotions for Success at Work. Then ask yourself: “Am I doing this because I believe it’s the right course of action or because I want to be seen a certain way?”

In his Worklife TED podcast, famed organizational psychologist Adam Grant explains that when high achievers make mistakes, they work to improve the task or process. Perfectionists, though, can become highly self-critical. When a boss gives feedback, they see it as a reflection of their  flaws.

Grant, a recovering perfectionist, says having a "fail quota" helps him to normalize failures. He believes that having three projects fizzle out at the end of the year helps him move out of his comfort zone and grow.

Highly successful people will be the first to tell you they made costly and embarrassing mistakes to get to where they are. However, Dr. Julie Gurner, a psychologist and an internationally sought-after speaker on success, says they don't let failures define who they are.

People who enjoy life to the fullest can separate who they are from what they do. Their strong sense of self or self-assuredness allows them to own their mistakes, learn from them and move on. 

Sometimes, you keep putting time, energy, and resources into a relationship not because it's going well but because you've already invested so much effort. How do you know when it's finally time to stop and move on?

Therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab, the author of  Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family, says it's time to move on when the relationship or situation feels awkward, inauthentic and forced. When it doesn't resonate with any part of you anymore, Tawwab says, "You need to allow yourself to outgrow things." 

Most people view laziness as a flaw, but Rubin suggests it could be a sign of exhaustion. When you're drained and overwhelmed, it's hard to muster the energy to do anything.

Idleness becomes the next best thing, whether scrolling through social media or playing a video game. If being lazy is the only thing preventing you from burning out, take the break you need for a more fulfilling life.

Recognizing what turns you off can give clues about your priorities, but identifying what you do not like can be challenging. Use these questions from Rubin to help you:

• As you go about your daily schedule, who and what brings you energy? And who and what drains you?
• What tasks fill your time but aren't engaging or productive? Of all your responsibilities, which one would you most like to eliminate? Can you delegate it to someone else?

To enjoy life to the fullest, you've got to know what matters most to you. Be deliberate in investing your time, energy, and money – these resources are limited! Embrace self-compassion and make space for new experiences that push your boundaries.