What if the version of success you’ve been chasing isn’t actually yours?
You’ve followed the rules. You’ve checked the boxes. But something inside you still whispers, “This isn’t it.”
That whisper is not a crisis, it’s a calling. And it might be the beginning of your most honest, soulful life design yet.
The Feeling That Changed Everything
Some shifts happen in silence. Others shake everything you thought you knew.
But the moment you realize you’re merely existing, not truly living, living, that’s when your soul begins to rise.
I remember the day that thought whispering inside me became a feeling and it turned into an AHA moment for me.
On the surface, everything looked right. I had built a life by the book, career, car, and my first home. I had done it all on my own. I felt accomplished, even proud. I had proved I could take care of myself. I had checked off every box.
And then… I sat down in the stillness of that new home and heard the question:
“Now what?”
There was silence. And then, an unexpected emptiness. A sense of boredom. Gratitude and strength, yes… but also something missing.
That whisper, the one that had always been there, rose again. I realized I had been thriving outwardly, but inwardly, I wasn’t sure where I belonged. Where was I seen? Heard? Where did I give value, not just by what I accomplished, but by who I was?
Was I out of alignment? Maybe not completely. But something essential was absent: deep connection. Meaning. Magic.
That wake-up moment wasn’t the last.
My soul kept tugging at me, whispering, nudging, even nagging, until I finally heard what it had been trying to say all along.
And if I’m being honest… I didn’t want it to be true.
I had a different idea of what my truth should be.
I had worked so hard to build something stable, strong, and successful.
But my soul wasn’t asking for structure, it was asking for freedom.
That’s when I realized:
I had been spending years living my life shaped by expectation, not intention.
Thats when I decided its not going to stay that way. And it hasn’t, and my soul continues to share with me what is needed to live deeply and freely.
Are You Living or Just Existing?
There comes a moment, a quiet realization or a crashing truth, when you ask yourself:
Is this the life I chose, or is this the life that happened to me?
We follow the path laid before us, often without questioning whether it was ever truly ours. A longing stirs. A whisper returns. And something inside us says, There is more.
That whisper is your soul calling you home.
You are not here to live by default. You are here to design your life with intention, with purpose, with deep knowing, a soulful life design rooted in truth, not expectation.
Life by Default vs. Life by Design
Most people don’t consciously choose their lives. They follow the script handed to them. They go to school, get the job, meet expectations, check the boxes. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, the danger lies in never asking:
Is this truly mine?
Living by Default:
- You make decisions based on what’s expected of you
- Your schedule is dictated by obligation, not desire
- You ignore your intuition in favor of practicality
- You feel stuck but don’t know why
Living by Design:
- You make choices that align with your deepest values
- Your time is spent on things that light you up
- You trust your inner wisdom to guide your path
- You feel a sense of flow, expansion, and purpose
Life doesn’t have to feel like something that’s happening to you.
You are the creator of your soulful life design. You decide what stays, what goes, and what grows.
How to Begin your Soulful Life Design
Awareness is the first shift, but aligned action is what transforms.
Here’s a gentle, soul-guided map to help you begin living in alignment:
Step 1: Write Your Soul’s Manifesto
Light a candle. Take a breath. Open your journal and answer:
- If I were living in complete alignment with my soul’s wisdom, what would my life look like?
- How would I start my mornings?
- What kind of work would I be doing?
- What kind of energy would surround me?
- How would I feel in my body? My relationships? My purpose?
Step 2: Identify What’s Out of Alignment
Now gently reflect on your current life:
- What parts feel forced, heavy, or disconnected?
- Where am I saying ‘yes’ when I really mean ‘no’?
- What patterns or beliefs are keeping me small?
Step 3: Make One Aligned Shift Today
Transformation doesn’t come from giant leaps; it lives in small, soulful choices.
- Say no to something that drains you
- Say yes to something that lights you up
- Create space for what matters, even if it’s just five quiet minutes of truth
Say yes to the quiet pull inside you, one step at a time.
Journal to Deepen the Shift
These prompts will help you meet your truth with love and curiosity:
- When was the last time I heard my inner voice ask, “Now what?”
- What part of me feels grateful… and still unfulfilled?
- Where in my life do I feel accomplished—but not connected?
- What would my life feel like if it reflected my soul, not just my goals?
- Where am I ready to stop performing and start aligning?
Let your soul speak. Don’t rush. Just write.
Journaling is one powerful practice, but it’s only one doorway into your soulful life design.
You Are the Architect of Your Life
You were never meant to simply exist.
You were meant to create, to flow, to move through this world as an expression of your deepest truth, not just your achievements, but your essence.
This expression shows up in many ways, from the choices we make, to the words we speak, to the colors that surround us. Even color carries intention. It shapes how we feel, how we move, and what we remember.
→ Explore how color becomes a tool for healing and soul alignment in The Energy of Colors.
No more autopilot. No more shrinking to fit. No more waiting for someone else to define what fulfillment looks like.
The path ahead might feel murky. The glimpses of what’s next may be soft, even uncertain. But your soul doesn’t need clarity to move forward, it only needs honesty and curiosity.
You already have everything you need to begin.
So I ask you:
What will you design?
Take the first step. Trust the process. Begin the life that was always meant to be yours.
💌 Want more soul-guided reflections?
Join me for Letters for Joy, gentle, heart-led stories and journal prompts to support your journey inward.
One email, once a month. Always soulful. Always honest.
What Readers are Asking
Q1: What does it mean to live a soulful life?
Living soulfully means making choices that align with your deepest truth, not just your obligations. It’s intentional, intuitive, and grounded in self-trust.
Q2: How do I know if I’m living on autopilot?
If life feels numb, routine, or disconnected even when it “looks” successful, you’re likely on autopilot. Your soul will nudge you with questions like, “Is this all?”
Q3: Can journaling really help me find clarity?
Yes. Journaling gives voice to your inner guidance. It clears the noise and helps you connect with what you want, feel, and need without outside pressure.
Q4: What’s one small step I can take to get back into alignment?
Pause. Listen. Say no to something that drains you, or yes to something that excites you. Even one soul-led action can shift your entire day and life.
Q5: Is journaling the only clear path to find my inner guidance?
Not at all. Journaling is powerful, but it’s just one path inward. You can also connect with your soul through meditation, movement, nature, prayer, art, or stillness.
The key is presence. Inner guidance arises when you’re attuned not just busy.