50 rules for living well everyday

October 9th, 2025
by Jim LaDoux

Living well isn’t about dramatic life overhauls or waiting for the “right” season to arrive. It's about small, intentional choices that shape the quality of our days—and ultimately, the quality of our lives. Most people drift through life reacting to circumstances; others step into life with purpose and presence. The difference often comes down to simple rules or rhythms that guide how we think, feel, relate, grow, and show up.

Below are 50 Rules for Living Well Every Day—ideas that encourage clarity, joy, meaning, and connection. Think of these not as rigid laws, but as invitations to create a life that feels rich, generous, healthy, and aligned with what matters most.

Mindset & Meaning

Begin each day with intention, not urgency.
Name your purpose for the day in one sentence.
Do something today your future self will thank you for.
Let your values—not your moods—guide your choices.
Choose curiosity over judgment.
Treat every day as an experiment, not a test.
Notice what brings you alive—and do more of it.
Stop managing your time; start designing your energy.
Pursue progress, not perfection.
Give yourself permission to be a beginner.

Emotional & Mental Wealth

Protect your attention like a scarce resource.
Pause before reacting—choose your response.
Speak to yourself the way you would speak to someone you love.
Reduce noise: digital, relational, emotional.
Practice gratitude until it becomes a reflex.
Seek silence every day, even for 60 seconds.
Limit inputs that drain your spirit.
Schedule joy the same way you schedule work.
Do one thing at a time—presence is a superpower.
Let go of things you can’t control—fast.

Social & Relational Wealth

Invest in fewer, deeper relationships.
Be the first to encourage.
Tell people what you appreciate about them—often.
Repair relationships quickly when possible.
Listen more than you speak.
Surround yourself with people who spark your growth.
Ask for help before you need it.
Make time for friends without needing a reason.
Honor your boundaries and others’ boundaries.
Create traditions that strengthen your relationships.

Physical & Spiritual Wealth

Move your body daily—motion fuels emotion.
Prioritize sleep like it's a life skill.
Eat foods that make you feel energized, not sluggish.
Breathe deeply, on purpose.
Spend time in nature weekly—it's a master teacher.
Listen to what your body is trying to tell you.
Treat rest as productive, not indulgent.
Celebrate small wins with healthy rewards.
Do things that stretch your courage.
Make space for awe, wonder, and mystery.

Time & Financial Wealth

Practice saying “no” graciously but firmly.
Live with margins—don’t overschedule yourself.
Save before you spend.
Spend on what aligns with your values.
Buy back your time whenever possible.
Create routines that simplify your life.
Review your goals weekly.
Declutter often—simplicity brings clarity.
Have a plan for your week before Monday arrives.
End each day with reflection: What mattered most today?

CLOSING THOUGHT
Living well is an ongoing practice—a series of choices that help you show up as your most grounded, joyful, and intentional self. When you anchor your days in small, life-giving rules, you create momentum. You create meaning. And you create the kind of life that feels both sustainable and deeply satisfying.

QUESTIONS | APPLICATIONS

Which of the 50 rules feels most important for the season of life you’re in right now?
What’s one small shift you could make this week to strengthen your daily rhythms?
Which rule challenges you most—and why?
How might adopting even one of these rules influence your relationships or well-being?
Who could support you or join you in practicing these life-giving habits?

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