To me, living with intention doesn’t mean you have to overanalyze every little thing you do. It just means you take the time to set goals, reflect on what matters to you, and follow through with purpose. It’s totally fine to coast sometimes—autopilot can be helpful, especially when your brain needs a break—but I think it’s important to balance that with hobbies and pursuits that actually move you toward something meaningful.
Being Present with Choices
Living with intention means making conscious decisions. It’s about choosing friends who are genuinely good for you, rather than clinging to the idea of what they could be. It’s also about how you spend your time—like watching shows or listening to music because you want to, not just because you need background noise. Sure, a little brain rot is fine now and then (we all need it), but sometimes it’s nice to really feel a song or be immersed in a movie.
With shopping, I also try to be mindful. “Do I really need this or do I just want it in the moment?” That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t treat yourself—buying things for the experience or as a gift for someone else feels meaningful. And yeah, spoiling yourself every now and then? Also valid.
Recognizing Autopilot Moments
I think my wake-up call was around COVID. Life was just school and home, rinse and repeat. I didn’t have any personal goals outside of that routine, and I felt kind of numb—like I was missing a sense of direction. I remember watching shows while doing homework, and in the end, I didn’t enjoy the show or absorb my work properly. That was when I realized something needed to shift.
How It’s Changed Things
Being more intentional has brought a lot more meaning into my relationships. I don’t hang out with people just for the sake of it anymore—I genuinely enjoy our conversations and time together. I’ve also started thinking more about what I eat—not in a restrictive way, but just noticing how food makes me feel and stopping when I’m satisfied rather than stuffed.
Staying Grounded Daily
I try to stay intentional by having clear goals—whether that’s related to my diet, career, or the kind of relationships I want in my life. And I’ve learned it’s okay to fall off track. The key is just acknowledging it and gently steering back. It also helps to surround myself with people who encourage you, support you, and have similar values. That kind of environment makes it easier to stay focused.
Balancing Intention with Spontaneity
One thing I really believe in is keeping room for spontaneity. Having clear goals and a roadmap is great, but life rarely sticks to a script. Sometimes unexpected things happen, and you have to be flexible enough to shift direction. In fact, I think those spontaneous detours are often where the most fun and growth happens.
Goals That Feel Right
Setting goals that align with my values means tuning out what others expect or think I should do. At the end of the day, you know yourself best—you know what you want and need.
Busy vs. Purposeful
“Is what I’m doing right now actually contributing to my goals?” Sometimes we’re just busy for the sake of being busy, but that doesn’t mean we’re being productive. We can try to check in with ourselves—do I enjoy what I’m doing? Is it helping me grow? How does it affect the people around me?
Living with intention isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being aware. It’s about choosing to show up, even in the small things. And in doing that, life starts to feel a lot more like your own.
Vattanary 
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