K is for Know

Join me on a journey towards a simple, sustainable and meaningful life. Throughout November we will be exploring each category of the A-Z guide to a simple, sustainable and meaningful life. Today we’re looking at K… Know.

This guide has been written from the point of view of someone living with chronic illness but the topics and concepts discussed are relevant to everyone and anyone.

K is for Know (or Knowledge)

Something I am passionate about is living a life that is true to myself. One in which I live by my values and do everything I can to be honest to myself and others.

You may be wondering what the word ‘know’ has to do with living a simple, sustainable and meaningful life…

To me the first step in making a change is to ‘know’ or understand what it is you are wanting to change and why.

As we move forward on this journey I ask you to know. Know yourself, your values and your ‘why’. Know what it is that is important about what you are doing. Know that there is always more to learn, there is always someone out there you can talk to and there is always many different ways of achieving the same goal.

To ‘Know’ is to have faith, but it’s also much more than that.

‘Know’ledge is important, but how we act on that knowledge is even more so.

I can ‘know’ that it’s important to spend time with my family, but if I don’t actually spend time with them that knowledge is wasted.

I know I need to pace myself and look after my health in order to live the simple, sustainable and meaningful life I want, but if I don’t actually do it I’m likely to get worse and won’t be able to live the life I want.

What I’m trying to say is work out what you know to be true, and then aim to create a life where you live by that knowledge. You act when you need to, and take a step back when you need to.

Having knowledge is like having power, it can be abused. Make sure you use your knowledge for the benefit (not detriment) of yourself and those around you, but also keep an open mind and be ready to modify your knowledge as new information comes to light.

Can you think of some things you ‘KNOW’ you should (or shouldn’t) be doing?

What changes can you make to better live a life aligned with your knowledge?