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Everyone has some regret for things they have or have not done in their lives. However, living a life of regret is not good which is why everyone should make a conscious effort to minimise those regrets. One of the best ways of doing so is finding ways to live a happier and more fulfilled life. If you feel like your life is a list of disappointments and regrets, here are some things you can do to turn those feelings around.

Making Better Use of Your Time

Time is arguably the most valuable asset we have. This is because it is finite, and we cannot get it back after it is gone. To feel more fulfilled, plan what you want to achieve for the day before you get out of the house. This should be something meaningful that makes a positive change in your life. It should also be something you’re proud of when you go to bed that night.

Value Relationships Over Possessions

Possessions are great for creating a comfortable life. Much of modern life would not be possible without possessions like houses, cars and the different devices we own. However, possessions are fleeting and therefore not a source of lasting happiness.

Building lasting relationships is more meaningful and fulfilling. It could be relationships with your family or friends that bring you the happiness and fulfilment you desire, but it is impossible to realise this unless you start cultivating these relationships.

Doing so also allows you to impact the lives of others in different ways and this contributes to your legacy.

Be Selective About Relationships

While cultivating relationships is crucial to feeling fulfilled, it is also important to be selective about the relationships you cultivate. Draining relationships are a waste of time and energy and will often lead to unhappiness and conflict. These can be relationships with overly critical, unsupportive, dishonest, disrespectful or negative people.

People with these qualities make it much harder for you to grow, leaving you stuck in whatever position or situation you are in. Being selective about your relationships will ensure you spend your time, energy and effort on people who encourage and energise you to become the best you can be so you can feel happier and fulfilled.

Give Generously and Help Others

The fulfilment of personal desires is something everyone craves, but it has been shown to lead to bitterness and disappointment down the line. A key component of true fulfilment is being responsible for the happiness of others by making contributions that improve the world. There are many ways to do this, including contributing to causes that cater to the most vulnerable people in society.

Such generosity has both psychological and mental benefits in addition to making you feel more fulfilled. Giving to others can improve your happiness and self-esteem and has also been linked to lower blood pressure and an extended life expectancy.

If you decide to give and help, avoid doing it for vanity reasons such as getting likes on social media. This will leave you feeling unfulfilled and empty when you post and do not get the level of engagement you are used to. Instead, give and help others with genuine intentions.

Become a Foster Parent

This ties in with giving genuinely and helping others. Foster children are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and there are thousands of kids in need of a loving home. Fostering can be a very rewarding experience, but it requires that you give your time, love and effort into providing a loving and safe home for a foster child or children.

Knowing that you are providing a child or children with a better life and shaping their future can be very fulfilling as can cultivating a parent-child relationship. The good news is that you can become a foster parent too as long as you have some space to spare, the love and time to give to your foster child(ren) and meet the necessary requirements. Everyone who can foster should. If you do, you will find this to be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life.

Find Meaning in What You Do

We dedicate a significant chunk of our lives to our work and other things we do. It is crucial to find things that we feel passionate about and that align well with who we are. Feeling unsatisfied or bored with your work can be a sign that it is not your best fit. Such feelings can lead to the work feeling unfulfilling and meaningless.

If you can determine the root of your unhappiness and feelings of not being fulfilled, then you can take the required actions to turn things around and spend your energy and time on things that make you feel the opposite.

Be Accountable for What You Say and Do

Accountability is critical for accomplishment and success. Personal accountability helps you have an honest review of what is happening around you and how your decisions have led you to where you currently are. Being accountable for what you say and do is infectious and you will find others following suit if you start being accountable. Consider the consequences of what you say and do so you can make corrections and not be left with regret.

Cultivate Discipline

Being accountable goes hand in hand with discipline. Discipline helps you discover the best version of yourself by helping you align your efforts, talent and purpose towards living a more fulfilling and rewarding life. Discipline is also key to avoiding bad decisions and accomplishing the goals you have set for yourself.

Seek Guidance from Professionals

There is a lot of stigma surrounding getting professional help. Many people are stuck in unfulfilling lives due to their inability to let go of the past or unlock their potential. Coaches and therapists can challenge you and help you get rid of your fears, help you unlock your potential and provide guidance for living a richer, purposeful and more fulfilling life.

Living a more fulfilling life means looking inwards to see what is hindering you, as well as outwards to find ways to help and give back to others. It might require changing a few things about yourself and your life, but you will be much better for it once you start living a happier and more fulfilling life.