How to Feel Alive Again.

7 practical tips to help you feel alive again!

When was the last time you laughed so hard that your stomach hurt? When was the last time you were so impatient and excited about doing something that you whole body was shaking? What are those souvenirs, impressions that still put a smile on your face today? How to feel alive should be a daily pursuit and not a thing of the past.

Of course, we love our children, our partner, our beautiful house and the salary that comes with our job. We dreamed of this life and we are living it today. The daily routine, chores and obligations have swallowed us all. What’s next when you seem to have everything you need and want? Yesterday, we had our life ahead us, and today our life seems to have reached its peak. There is nothing worse than having nothing to look forward to anymore, no thrill, no good surprises. What can you do to rebound, find what it takes to feel alive again and grab life with both hands?

I felt that way for a while after having children, buying a house, being married and trying to keep all that together. Overwhelmed by never ending to-do lists, I felt I did what I had to, but not what I wanted to. I didn’t even know what I wanted anymore anyways. My brain was configured to act in a way that would satisfy my kids, my husband, my colleagues. I put everyone’s needs ahead of mine. I felt like a great little soldier, I felt transparent. No one can go on like this, so I looked deep to find ways to feel alive again while going on with my life.

1. Childhood is our treasure chest.

Think about the child that you were. What did you love doing back then? Riding your bike through the pastures, hiding on top of a tree or watch your grandma bake your favorite cake?

My biggest thrill was riding horses. I remember vividly how I felt when I was galloping, jumping or just spending time with my favorite horse. Those memories are anchored deep down in my heart and just the smell of horses greatly soothes me. Twenty years later, I met a mother at school who gave horse riding classes. I signed my daughters up and quickly started taking lessons too. Being back on a horse was a resurrection. I had forgotten how connected and alive horses and animals in general can make you feel. Horses feel your energy, hear your heart beat and detect our flaws before you do.  There is no cheating possible. You have to be true, calm and confident.

After riding, I feel reloaded for a week. Hanging on to the feeling of freedom horse riding gives me helps me through hard times at work during the week. No matter how hard my day is, I know that my lesson is scheduled on Saturday morning and that keeps me going. Find an activity that you can do often to reload your batterie and feel alive again!

2. Please don’t stop the music!

Whether you are the light of the party or a deep introvert, music has the power to touch us all. Alone, in your car, doing your chores, have a playlist that talks to you ready and turn on that music loud enough to flood your brain with it.

Pick an artist you like and go to their concert. Live music along with a loving crowd can really make your whole self vibrate with emotions that you just can’t feel alone. Music along with singing and dancing can really make us feel alive so use it and abuse it!

3. Go to your happy place.

What soothes you? An unforgettable vacation, the smell of lavender in Provence, cactuses in Arizona? I was lucky enough to spend all my vacations in the same spot every year. On top of a mountain, in a goat farm in the beautiful Ardeche, France. The smell of goat cheese aging, the bells ringing in the mountains, thyme everywhere, stone houses. I have to go there once a year to feel complete. It is my sanctuary, the only place I’ll always go back to.

I find water very soothing also. When I feel down, I rent an apartment by the sea or a cabin with a lake view and my mind settles down right away.

Go somewhere that soothes you, it doesn’t have to be far or exotic. Going there as often as you can is a great way to bring yourself back to life and to make happy memories.

4. Help your mind feel alive by waking up your body.

Eating healthier and exercising really help our brain release those happy hormones that we need. You don’t have to go crazy about it to notice a difference. Walk, eat smaller portions, drink a little less alcohol and you will feel more energized.

I joined a couch to 5 k group a few years ago and pushing my limits really made me feel alive and proud of myself. I thought I didn’t have any legs, but after 12 weeks, I ran a 5k in less than 30 minutes.

Our bodies are a reflection of who we are. Being able to somewhat shape them puts us in control of who we want to be.

5. Make something with your hands.

Sometimes having a desk job that is not very meaningful can be devastating to our mind in the long term. I found that making things with my hands made me feel better. People who make, who build, who grow leave a trace behind them. There’s a sense of pride and heritage to their work. When you can’t get that from your job, get it from a hobby.

Growing vegetables (and eating them) is very rewarding. My husband couldn’t live without his garden. It is his happy place after a long day at the office. I took a weaving class and being able to make a basket out of wicker sticks makes me feel proud and useful. Those objects are made to last, to be used and were not just randomly bought in a supercenter.

There is a lot of meaning behind making something with your hands. Sign up for a class and make something you’ll be proud of.

6. Let it go.

Feeling alive again also means letting go of the negative in our lives, in our hearts. It is important to say what needs to be said to be able to move forward. You can talk to a friend, a wife, a husband, a therapist. I personally starting writing articles as an escape.

Taking the pen helped me putting words on feelings that were holding me down. Letting go of all the pain and drama we accumulated over the years is liberating and necessary.

7. Help someone to help yourself.

Sometimes, doing something for free fills you up with positive vibes that can last for a while. Bake a lasagna for your neighbor who just had a baby. Help your niece study for her so feared English exam. Volunteer at school to sell hot-dogs during their Christmas market.

Even if I dread selling hot-dogs for the school, I always feel good afterwards because I helped raise money for the kids’ activities, because it was a nice moment of kindness with other parents. Helping others makes us feel useful and appreciated.

Giving time to someone is the greatest gift and really deepens relationships we have with others. We are social beings after all.

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I hope these tips will help you feel alive again and give you the power to put up with the “not-so-fun” parts of your daily lives. If you want to laugh so hard that you’ll pee your pants, I can send you a video of my husband doing Pilates. Picture the least flexible person, in his underwear, taking some doubtful poses…

“There is nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” (Stephen Chbosky)

Check out Country Living’s inspiring happiness quotes for an instant boost!

Read on Lovepanky’s article on how to get a life to keep that topic rolling.

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