Do you feel like your life belongs to someone else? At first glance, this may seem like a crazy question. But I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met who talk about “needing” to go to work, “having to” respond to a work request on the weekend, or feel obligated to live up to certain expectations for their parents or family. This language doesn’t allow for a sense of choice in your own life!

“But that’s the reality!” I’ve lived part of my life as a slave to money. I’ve worked jobs I hated and held three at a time in order to get by. I understand! Sure, you could not respond to that email from your boss, risk your job, and end up unemployed. It’s a choice, but not one most of us want to consider.

So then what is this “Reclaim your life” business I’m talking about? Well, it starts from within. This is not the approach most of us naturally take. “I’ll be able to relax once I get my life in order.” It’s good to set goals for life, and even better to set intentions for living.

One thing you always have control over is how you perceive your life. Sure, the grass may be greener…but you also have a hose to water the grass on your side of the fence! Don’t let your happiness rest on the promotion you’ve been after. Live your life now, with personal power. Work on shifting your view of yourself to be one of truly deserving the life you want. What would it feel like to have the life you want? Would you be a different person than you are now?

You may have learned very clearly that you need to struggle and earn the life you want, or that others always have to come first. But how long do you need to suffer before you’ve earned the right to be happy? (here’s a hint: maybe it’s been long enough already?)

Allow yourself to BE the person you want to be. If you can find even five minutes a day to dedicate to living how you want to live, you’re watering the seed for a lush future. You’re investing in yourself, and sending the message, “Yes, I am worth investing in. I can have the life I want!”