Sometimes, life can feel a little off balance, like there’s something  missing from your life.

I’ve found that there are simple daily habits that can fill this gap.

These habits can act as a much-needed fix, helping you regain your balance and rediscover what you’re looking for in life.

In this article, I’ll share with you eight practical habits that can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.

So, if you’re feeling like something’s missing, stick around. These suggestions just might be the fix you’re searching for.

1) Embrace self-awareness

Life is a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs, and it’s no secret that it brings many challenges. But here’s the thing – beneath our external circumstances, what truly counts is our internal state.

Our inner world of thoughts and feelings isn’t just an abstract concept – it’s the driving force behind everything that matters in our lives.

One daily habit that can help navigate this inner world is the practice of self-awareness.

Self-awareness is about understanding your thoughts, emotions, and reactions. It’s about acknowledging your strengths, weaknesses, and personal biases. It offers a clear perception of your personality, including your beliefs, motivations, and desires.

In my own life journey, I’ve found that taking just a few moments each day to check in with myself has made a significant difference. I started with a simple question: “How am I feeling today?” This daily check-in helped me to identify what was missing in my life – whether it was a need for more rest, more connection with others or even a need for more challenge and stimulation.

By developing self-awareness, you can better understand why you feel like something’s missing. You might realize that you’re neglecting a part of yourself or overlooking an important aspect of your life.

So start today. Take a moment to tune into yourself. Ask yourself how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking.

You might be surprised at what you discover.

2) Take responsibility for your life

It’s a hard truth to swallow, but here it is: the only person who can truly steer the direction of your life is you.

We all have untapped potential within us, and when we feel like something’s missing, it’s often because we’re not fully harnessing that potential.

Now, this isn’t about blaming ourselves for our situations. Life can throw curveballs, and sometimes circumstances are beyond our control. Instead, taking responsibility means recognizing that we have the power to respond to these situations in ways that align with our personal values and goals.

True empowerment comes from taking full responsibility for our lives – for our actions, our reactions, and the choices we make. It means owning up to our mistakes and learning from them instead of playing the blame game.

It may feel uncomfortable at first – raw and honest even. But it’s through this discomfort that growth happens.

So, start today. Look at your life honestly. Ask yourself tough questions like: “What choices am I making that aren’t serving me?” or “How am I holding myself back?”.

Take responsibility, tap into your potential, and start steering your life in the direction you truly want it to go.

3) Become your own coach

Here’s a belief I hold dear: we all have the potential to become our own life coach.

When something feels missing, it can be a sign that we’re not fully in tune with our needs and desires. That’s where self-coaching comes into play.

Self-coaching is all about asking yourself the right questions and honestly evaluating your answers. It’s about challenging your own beliefs and assumptions, setting clear goals, and holding yourself accountable.

Imagine how empowering it is to be able to navigate any major life change or overcome any obstacle that comes your way. This is what self-coaching can offer.

The trick is to be raw and honest with yourself. It might not always be comfortable, but it’s only by confronting the truth that we can bring about real change.

So, start today. Ask yourself: “What do I truly want?” “What’s holding me back?” “What steps can I take to get where I want to be?”

By learning to coach yourself, you can fill that gap that feels missing and begin leading a happier, more fulfilling life.

4) Practice self-compassion

If you’ve ever heard of Dr. Kristin Neff, you’ll know she’s a big advocate of self-compassion. She once said, “With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.”

When something feels missing in life, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of self-criticism. But beating ourselves up only leads to more pain and unhappiness.

Self-compassion, on the other hand, is about acknowledging our flaws and failures, yet treating ourselves with kindness and understanding. It’s about recognizing that everyone stumbles, everyone has off days, and that’s okay.

It’s not about making excuses or ignoring our mistakes. It’s about allowing ourselves to be human.

So start today. Whenever you’re feeling down or critical of yourself, remember Dr. Neff’s words. Treat yourself like a good friend. Show yourself compassion.

By practicing self-compassion, you can begin to fill that void that feels missing and create a more nurturing space for growth and happiness in your life.

5) Cultivate a growth mindset

In a world where change and disruption are the norm, cultivating a growth mindset is more important than ever.

A growth mindset is all about embracing challenges, seeing failure as a learning opportunity, and understanding that effort is the path to mastery. It’s about stepping out of our comfort zone and being open to new experiences.

When we cultivate a growth mindset, we see setbacks not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to success. Failure becomes our best teacher, guiding us towards improvement and growth.

Remember, stepping out of our comfort zone is where real growth happens. It’s in those uncomfortable moments that we stretch our abilities and discover our potential.

So start today. Embrace challenges, learn from your failures, and keep pushing your boundaries.

By cultivating a growth mindset, you can fill that void that feels missing and start shaping a life of continuous learning and personal development.

6) Prioritize self-care

I’ve always believed in the importance of self-care. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to take care of our own needs.

Self-care isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days. It’s about taking time each day to do something that nurtures your body, mind, or spirit.

In my own life, I’ve found that even small acts of self-care – like going for a walk in nature, practicing deep breathing, or enjoying a cup of tea in silence – can make a big difference.

So start today. Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your daily routine. By doing so, you can fill that void that feels missing and create a healthier, more balanced life.

7) Stay connected

We’re social creatures by nature, and meaningful connections with others are crucial for our well-being.

But in today’s busy world, it’s easy to feel isolated and disconnected. That’s why it’s so important to make time for the people who matter most to us.

In my own experience, nurturing my relationships – whether it’s a deep conversation with a close friend, a family dinner, or even a quick catch-up call with an old colleague – has enriched my life in countless ways.

So start today. Reach out to someone you care about. By staying connected, you can fill that void that feels missing and create a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

8) Practice gratitude

Practicing gratitude is one of the most powerful habits I’ve adopted in my life. It’s helped me shift my focus from what’s missing to what’s already present in my life.

Gratitude is about appreciating the good in our lives – from the big things like health and family to the small things like a warm cup of coffee or a beautiful sunset.

So start today. Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. By practicing gratitude, you can fill that void that feels missing and start cultivating a more positive and contented outlook on life.

In conclusion, when something feels missing in life, it’s often a sign that we need to make some adjustments in our daily habits. By embracing self-awareness, taking responsibility for our lives, coaching ourselves, practicing self-compassion, cultivating a growth mindset, prioritizing self-care, staying connected, and practicing gratitude, we can fill that void and lead a happier, more fulfilling life.

For those of you who are looking for more guidance on this journey, I’m excited to announce my upcoming online course on coaching yourself to an epic retirement. The course will not only teach you the skills to coach yourself to a happier, more fulfilling retirement but also introduce you to the transformative power of regular reflection and journaling.

Journaling can deepen our self-awareness and growth by allowing us to express our thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe space. It’s a powerful tool that can provide clarity and insight as we navigate life’s challenges.

To find out when the course is launched, sign up to The Vessel.

Remember, you have the power to fill whatever is missing in your life. It starts with changing your daily habits and mindset. The journey might not always be easy, but it’s worth it.