Too many of us are stuck in a rut. Yes, covid is real and life is hard, but the fact is, we could be a lot more proactive about how we’re living. Lifehack asks you these questions – how would you answer them? It would be a good journaling exercise.

• If I died today, would I die happy?
• Am I satisfied with the direction in which my life is headed?
• Am I happy with the legacy that I’m creating?
• What’s missing from my life?
• What do I need to do in order for my obituary to be “complete”?

Want to live purposefully? A good place to start is to think about the time you have left on the earth and how you’d like to use it. Write the obituary you’d like to live into.

The Liberationist gives these steps:

1. Start by writing your name the way you’d like it to look on your tombstone.
2. In one line, how did you make the world a better place? Be concise. The more focused, the more honest you’ll be with yourself.
3. Write down how people will remember you. Avoid pompous language. Stick to the tone and words that regular people would use — especially those who know you well. The why is essential (once again, you don’t need the full laundry list).
4. This part requires more introspection. Look yourself into the mirror and answer this unfiltered: “who was the real you?” Not your masks or costumes, not your job or titles or roles. What was your essence? What made you unique?
5. Saying ‘yes’ is easy. What we say ‘no’ to defines who we really are. Which was in your case? What are the ‘temptations,’ distractions, or possibilities that you said ‘no’ to because they would derail you from achieving your goals?
6. Who will miss you the most? This seems easy, but it’s not. The answer is not about what you wish, but trying to understand who will really miss. A lot of people will for sure. But who were those people to whom you meant something special? Once again, avoid judging yourself. Being honest is what makes this exercise meaningful.
7. Now it’s time to be creative. The previous steps provided the background; now it’s time to bring it your epitaph to life. Write down in one or two paragraphs the words that you would love someone to say about you once you departed. This is the most critical part of the exercise. Connect with your true essence, not your vanity.