Do you ever feel like you’re just sliding through life? You look back on a week or month and wonder what happened to the time?

Or maybe it feels like everyday is the same.

I feel like that sometimes.

The antidote for this is to create ways to fully engage with what’s happening in our life.

I wrote about this back in February and mentioned three ways to more fully engage with life:

• Fun
• Flow
• Friction

Actions we can take right now:

Do something fun.

This doesn’t need to be involved. Think of something small, like playing a board game or cards with family members, instead of scrolling your phone in the evenings.

Take a bike ride or walk in a different neighborhood or park.

Check your city’s calendar for fun events that are taking place this weekend. Choose one and go.

Get in the zone.

Athletes refer to the zone. Artists talk about getting in flow.

Whatever language you use, schedule some time to do something that you love to do. Choose an activity that lets you forget about time.

It might be running, biking, sewing, drawing, hiking etc.

Choose an activity that really pulls you in and make time for yourself to enjoy it.

Play to your 5 senses

I recommend reading or listening to Gretchen Rubin’s book, Life in Five Senses. There are so many great ideas in this book for paying attention to and intentionally increasing our experiences via our five senses.

Here area a few ideas to try for the autumn season:

Taste – Anything apple, pumpkin, or cinnamon. Also think s’mores, hot tea, chili and other soups.

I’ve been loving the pumpkin-vanilla protein shakes I’ve been making. I use almond milk, 2-3 Tbs. canned pumpkin, vanilla protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice and some ice. Delicious!

Smell – Fall scented candles or essential oils. Notice the smell of the fallen leaves or a bonfire. Try adding an autumn scented hand soap.

Touch – Soft sweaters and blankets. The chill of early mornings.

Hearing – The sound of leaves crunching underfoot and geese honking as they fly over. Try a fall playlist. Make your own or choose from one on Spotify or wherever you listen to music.

Sight – Leaves turning colors, pumpkins on porches and plaid shirts.

I’d love to hear your ideas for planning fun, flow and friction in your life right now. Leave a comment below to share.