Intentional living didn’t just show up in my life one day—I built it, slowly, by choosing how I spend my mornings, what I read, how I move, and how I reflect.

Last week was another chapter in this journey. I started a 15-day challenge to wake up at 5:30 a.m. and head outdoors right away. It felt like reclaiming time I used to lose. By 8 a.m. every day, I’d already finished my workout, shower, reading, journaling, and had a homemade breakfast.

None of this happened overnight. But choosing to live with intention—one day at a time—has reshaped how I experience everything. This post is part of that ongoing transformation.

Early Mornings & Intentional Living

Waking up at 5:30 a.m. every day made me realize how much time I usually let slip. That first decision—to get up with the alarm—sets the tone. After that, everything flows. I workout, shower, read, write, eat well. I feel more centered, more clear.

Intentional living starts with a choice. Then another. Then another.

Books as Companions

This year, I started buying physical books again. They’re everywhere now—on my desk, shelves, and sometimes even the floor. Whenever I feel stuck or bored, I pick one up and read. It might only be ten minutes, but that time adds up. That quiet decision to reach for a book instead of my phone? That’s intentional living too.

Reading 50 books a year has been my goal since 2020-something. I only read 27 last year, but I’ve been more intentional this year. I post one book review a week now on my blog, and that rhythm feels good. The more I read, the more I write. And to write well, I prepare myself by reading more. It’s a loop I actually enjoy.

It took a while, but now reading is more interesting to me than shows or scrolling.

If you’re trying to build a reading habit, start small. But be consistent. Consistency is where intentional living gets real.

Marathon Prep & Small Wins

I’ve been training for a marathon since May, and race day is coming up at the end of August. I pulled out last year’s training plan—it’s also a 16-week schedule. I’m a little behind this time, maybe from the summer heat, maybe just not pushing hard enough. But looking at the numbers, I’m not far off. I’ve still got time to pick up the mileage.

This will be my second full marathon. It still surprises me to say that. Back in 2019, I didn’t think I could run at all. I used to think a half marathon before I die would be enough.

But here I am—training again. That’s the power of documenting progress. Of tracking the miles. Of living intentionally.

I used to think this kind of life wasn’t for me. But building it, one mile at a time, has made it mine.

Not Everything Is Figured Out

Of course, there’s still something missing—Matter of the heart. Relationships, love, connection. That part of my trinity is still developing.

I tend to be interested in too many things. I know if I want to live more freely and independently, I need to focus more energy on growing my business 0 to 1 —just like I’ve done with reading and running.

Maybe someday I’ll write more about that part too. But for now, I document what I can. Paying attention to your own life—that’s part of intentional living too.

A Life Worth Remembering

I didn’t always believe my life was worth documenting. For a long time, I felt like it didn’t matter compared to other people’s stories. But intentional living changed that. It taught me to value my time, my energy, my pace—even my struggles.

Looking back on last week, and all the ones before it, I feel grateful. I wasn’t born rich or particularly gifted—but I was born unique. And that’s more than enough.

With intention, we don’t just live—we build a life worth remembering.

Thanks for reading. See you next week.