10 habits of people who always seem to have their life together

Ever looked at someone and thought, “Wow, they’ve really got their life together!”? 

I know I have. More times than I’d like to admit. 

But don’t be fooled by appearances. These folks aren’t waving a magic wand to sort everything out. 

No, they have mastered a set of habits that keeps their lives sailing smoothly. 

And guess what? You can adopt these habits too. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1) They prioritize and plan

People who seem to have their life together are champions at prioritizing and planning. 

They don’t just wake up and tackle the day haphazardly. No, they have a clear plan in place, they set their priorities straight, and then they go for it. 

They know what’s important, what can wait, and what to let go of. 

I tried it, and yes, it feels like you’ve unlocked a secret level in the game of life.

2) They understand the value of ‘me time’

This might surprise you, but people who have their life together aren’t always on the go. 

They understand the importance of taking time out for themselves. It might be a 5-minute meditation in the morning, a quiet walk in the park, or just curling up with a good book. 

‘Me time’ recharges them and helps them maintain their mental and emotional well-being. 

And trust me, once you get into the habit of it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

3) They keep their surroundings tidy

You’ve heard the saying “clean space, clear mind,” right? 

Well, those who seem to have their life together take this to heart. They strive to keep their living and working spaces tidy. 

A clutter-free environment leads to a clutter-free mind. It’s a simple habit that works wonders. 

Try it! Start by cleaning that coffee mug collection on your desk, and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

4) They take care of their health

One thing that stands out about people who have their life together is their attention to health. 

This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hitting the gym for hours every day (though some do)…

But they make conscious choices about what they eat, ensure they get regular exercise, and prioritize sleep. 

Health is wealth, after all. 

So the next time you think about grabbing that doughnut for breakfast, consider opting for something healthier. Your body will thank you.

5) They don’t procrastinate

Procrastination, the nemesis of productivity. It’s easy to put things off, to say, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” 

But those who seem to have their life together understand that ‘tomorrow’ can quickly become ‘never.’ 

So, they tackle tasks promptly, whether it’s paying bills, replying to emails, or cleaning up. 

It might be a bit of a challenge at first, but once you get into the swing of it, you’ll see a dramatic increase in your productivity. 

Plus, you get to avoid that dreaded last-minute panic. Win-win!

6) They’re lifelong learners

Here’s a secret:

You know those people who seem to always know something about everything? 

The ones who can hold a conversation about quantum physics, contemporary art, or exotic cuisine with equal ease? 

They’re not magically gifted. 

They’ve just adopted the habit of lifelong learning. They read books, listen to podcasts, take up courses, and continuously feed their curiosity. 

And trust me, it’s not as hard as it sounds. Just pick a topic you’re interested in and start exploring. You’ll be amazed at where it leads you.

7) They know how to say ‘no’

This one is a game-changer. People who have their life together have mastered the art of saying ‘no.’

They understand that their time and energy are finite, and they can’t please everyone. Saying ‘yes’ to everything is a one-way ticket to Stress Town. 

So, they set boundaries and stick to them. It might feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but saying ‘no’ when you need to is incredibly liberating. 

Give it a shot, and see the difference it makes in your life.

8) They’re financially savvy

People who appear to have their life together often have one thing in common: financial savviness. 

They understand that money, though not the be-all and end-all, is a crucial resource that needs to be managed wisely. 

They create budgets and stick to them, making smart investments and doing their best to stay clear of unnecessary debt. 

They know when to spend, when to save, and when to invest. 

Starting to manage your money wisely might feel like a daunting task, but trust me, once you get the hang of it, you’ll realize it’s not as intimidating as it seems. 

A good starting point? Try setting a monthly budget, tracking your spending habits, and gradually building an emergency fund.

9) They embrace change

Life is a rollercoaster of changes, and people who have their life together understand this all too well. Rather than resisting change or fearing it, they embrace it. 

They see change as an opportunity to learn, to grow, to challenge themselves, and to adapt. 

It might be a change in their personal life, their professional life, or even a change in their environment. 

Instead of getting flustered, they pivot, adjust their strategies, and keep moving forward. 

Sure, change can be scary, but it also opens up new possibilities and experiences. 

So the next time life throws a curveball your way, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you’re capable of handling it. It’s all part of the journey.

10) They practice gratitude

One characteristic that often sets people with their life together apart is their sense of gratitude. 

They recognize the value of what they have and express their appreciation for it regularly. 

It doesn’t mean they don’t strive for more or seek to improve, but they take the time to appreciate their present. 

This practice of gratitude can take many forms, from maintaining a gratitude journal to simply taking a few moments each day to reflect on the good in their life. 

This habit keeps them grounded, helps maintain a positive perspective, and contributes to overall contentment. 

Start with a simple step: before going to bed each night, jot down three things you were grateful for that day. 

You might be surprised at how this simple habit can positively shift your mindset.

Why getting your life together is so hard to do

The illusion of perfection

One reason why getting your life together can seem so elusive is the societal illusion of perfection. 

We’re often bombarded with images of people living seemingly perfect lives, with every aspect in place and every moment beautifully curated. 

But here’s the reality check: nobody’s life is perfect, not even those of the people you admire most. 

The truth is, we all struggle, we all face challenges, and we all have days when things feel like they’re falling apart. 

The difference lies in how we respond to these situations and how resilient we are.

Personally, there were times when I felt overwhelmed, unable to keep up with the picture-perfect lives I saw on social media. 

But then I realized, I was comparing my behind-the-scenes to their highlight reels. 

I learned that getting my life together meant focusing on my path, my growth, and not getting swayed by external appearances.

Impact of socio-economic status

The socio-economic status also plays a significant role in how easily we can ‘get our life together.’ 

Access to resources, quality education, healthcare, and even the neighborhood one grows up in, can impact the level of stress one experiences daily. 

For someone struggling to make ends meet, the priority is survival, not whether their life appears ‘put together.’

A friend of mine grew up in a less privileged neighborhood, and for the longest time, her primary focus was helping her family make it through the month. 

It wasn’t about having an organized closet or a color-coded planner; it was about ensuring her younger siblings had food on their table. 

This experience taught me that having one’s life together takes different forms, depending on the context.

Inherent life uncertainties

Life is unpredictable, and sometimes, things happen that we just can’t plan for or control. 

It could be a global pandemic, a personal health issue, or a sudden job loss. These unexpected situations can throw us off track and make it feel like our life is in disarray.

When my dad fell sick, it was like my entire world was turned upside down. 

My priorities shifted overnight, and for a while, it felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. 

But I learned to adapt, to reassess my priorities, and to accept that it’s okay not to have everything in order all the time.

Here’s what you need to remember

• There’s no such thing as a perfect life. We all have struggles, and that’s okay.

• Socio-economic factors can influence how ‘together’ our lives can seem, and we need to be compassionate and understanding of this.

• Life is unpredictable, and that’s okay too. It’s about how we adapt and grow from our experiences.

So, don’t be too hard on yourself if you feel like you’re not ‘getting your life together’ fast enough. 

Remember, it’s a journey, not a destination.