This January marks nineteen years that I have been a professional practicing and teaching Dialectical Behavior Therapy. When I think of all the gifts that DBT has given me, the most influential is the focus the therapy has on “building a life worth living”. I didn’t take that lightly when I first heard it, and I still don’t after all these years. Thinking about my life in this way has deepened and expanded what I thought was possible, and it has forced me to think about what values hold the most meaning for me and to set an intention each day to live in those values. Additionally, it is a reminder of how I want to grow personally, to make time to cultivate more happiness, and to live with more balance, making sure I say both yes and no to things. But, at its core, a life worth living involves creating a life where you feel fulfilled, at peace, and are true to yourself. It is the foundation of experiencing joy and grounding to that joy even when life feels messy and hard.
The Concept of a Life Worth Living
I find that our culture has emphasized that a life worth living is having material wealth or attaining some external success. Although, your values may align with achievement and finding monetary success, the concept of a life worth living is about inner fulfillment and achieving a sense of well-being despite challenges and setbacks. It involves being in alignment with your values, embracing your uniqueness, and making intentional choices that promote your happiness and growth.
In DBT, one of the primary goals is to help clients build a life that feels worth living, which is done by helping them manage emotions, build self-acceptance, develop healthy relationships, and cope with difficulties in a meaningful way. But even beyond therapy, the idea is relevant to anyone who seeks to live a life filled with purpose and emotional resilience.
Cultivating Self-Awareness and Acceptance
One of the first steps in building a life worth living is cultivating self-awareness. This means taking the time to reflect on who you are, what matters to you, and what your goals are. It’s also about accepting yourself—embracing both your strengths and flaws. The more you accept yourself, the more you can build a foundation of confidence and self-respect.
For example, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to be perfect or to meet external expectations but doing so can detract from the authenticity that makes life worth living. When you allow yourself the space to be human—to have flaws, to make mistakes—you build resilience and compassion for yourself, which is key in living a fulfilling life.
Embracing Purpose and Meaning
Another central component of a life worth living is having a sense of purpose. Purpose is what drives us forward, what motivates us to overcome difficulties, and what gives our lives meaning. Your purpose might come from your career, your relationships, personal passions, or contributions to others. For some, purpose is deeply tied to spirituality or a commitment to helping others.
Whatever your source of purpose is, it’s important to reflect on it and align your daily choices with that deeper sense of meaning. Living in accordance with your values and purpose can give you the strength to persevere, especially when life gets tough.
Building Connection with Others
Relationships and community are also integral parts of a life worth living. While solitary moments of reflection and self-care are important, humans are social creatures, and meaningful relationships are essential for well-being. Building a life worth living involves fostering authentic connections with others—whether that’s family, friends, coworkers, or a broader community.
At ACH and in the programs we offer, we emphasize the importance of cultivating a sense of belonging. Whether through our meditation classes, DBT groups, Book Club, and other therapy groups, creating opportunities for shared healing and growth builds a deeper sense of connection with others and helps us feel less isolated. A community can provide support, understanding, and encouragement, which makes it easier to live authentically.
Coping with Difficult Emotions and Experiences
Building a life worth living doesn’t mean avoiding pain or hardship. In fact, facing and navigating challenges is often a key part of living a full and meaningful life. This is where emotional resilience comes in. Learning to cope with difficult emotions and experiences is vital. Tools like mindfulness, DBT skills, and self-compassion can all help you manage intense feelings, navigate trauma, and bounce back from setbacks.
Life’s struggles are inevitable, but how you respond to them is what truly defines the quality of your life. By embracing healthy coping strategies, you can create a life that allows for growth even in the face of difficulty.
Taking Action and Moving Forward
Ultimately, building a life worth living requires taking intentional actions to move toward your goals. It means showing up for yourself every day, practicing self-care, and pushing yourself to be better, even when things feel uncertain. It involves making choices that support your mental, emotional, and physical health, and finding balance even when life feels overwhelming.
At the end of the day, a life worth living is not just about reaching a final destination—it’s about continuously making choices that bring you closer to who you want to be and the life you want to create.
As you work to build your own life worth living, I encourage you to reflect on the areas of your life that need attention. Whether it’s relationships, purpose, self-acceptance, or emotional resilience, take small steps toward making your life more aligned with your values and goals. A fulfilling life is within reach—one choice, or step at a time.
If you’re interested in learning more about building a life worth living or need support along your journey, feel free to reach out to us at the Awakening Center, where we offer therapy, meditation classes, and community programs designed to help you find healing and purpose.
