How to Live in Alignment with Your Core Values
Have you ever felt like something in your life was just… off? Maybe you’ve been working hard toward success, but deep down, something doesn’t feel right. You might feel disconnected, unfulfilled, or even stuck—like you’re living a life that doesn’t fully reflect who you truly are.
The truth is, when we live out of alignment with our core values, we experience resistance, frustration, and a lack of fulfillment. But when we live in alignment with what truly matters to us, everything flows more easily. We make better decisions, feel more at peace, and create success that actually feels meaningful.
So, how do you discover your core values and start living in alignment with them? Let’s dive in.
What Are Core Values?
Your core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide your decisions, shape your behaviors, and define what truly matters to you. They are deeply personal and serve as your internal compass, helping you navigate both challenges and opportunities.
Some examples of core values include:
✦Integrity
✦Freedom
✦Growth
✦Balance
✦Connection
✦Success
✦Creativity
✦Authenticity
✦Service
✦Well-being
When your daily actions align with your values, you feel energized, fulfilled, and at peace. When they don’t, you may experience frustration, burnout, or a sense that something is missing.
Step 1: Identify Your Core Values
If you’re not sure what your core values are, take a moment to reflect. Ask yourself:
✦What truly matters to me in life?
✦When have I felt the most fulfilled? What was happening at that time?
✦What drains me? What situations or environments feel out of alignment?
✦What qualities do I admire in others that I want to embody myself?
➜ Exercise:
Make a list of 10 values that resonate with you. Then, narrow it down to your top 5 non-negotiable values—the ones that truly define who you are and what you stand for.
Step 2: Assess Your Current Life Alignment
Once you’ve identified your core values, take an honest look at your life. Ask yourself:
✦ Am I living in alignment with these values in my career, relationships, and daily habits?
✦ Where am I compromising my values, and how does that make me feel?
✦ What areas of my life feel most fulfilling? Which feel misaligned?
For example:
If freedom is a core value, but you feel stuck in a rigid job with no flexibility, you may experience frustration and burnout.
If connection is a core value, but you rarely make time for loved ones, you may feel isolated or unfulfilled.
➜ Reflection Prompt:
Write down the areas where you feel aligned and those where you don’t. Awareness is the first step to making a change!
Step 3: Make Small Adjustments Toward Alignment
Once you’ve identified areas of misalignment, commit to small, intentional changes that bring your daily actions closer to your core values.
Here’s how:
✦ Set Boundaries: If one of your values is balance, but you’re overworking yourself, start setting boundaries around your time and energy.
✦ Make Values-Based Decisions: Before making a choice, ask yourself: “Does this align with my core values?” If not, it might not be the right path for you.
✦ Reevaluate Your Goals: If your goals are based on what others expect of you (rather than what truly fulfills you), it’s time to redefine success on your own terms.
✦ Create New Habits: If growth is a core value, commit to daily learning, whether it’s through books, courses, or meaningful conversations.
Step 4: Check In With Yourself Regularly
Living in alignment is an ongoing process. Life changes, priorities shift, and sometimes we drift off course. That’s why it’s essential to pause and reflect regularly.
✦ Journal Prompt: Ask yourself: Am I still living in alignment with my values? If not, what small change can I make this week to realign?
✦ Energy Check-In: Notice where you feel energized versus where you feel drained—this is often a clue about alignment.
✦ Realignment Rituals: Whether it’s through meditation, coaching, or deep conversations, find ways to reconnect with your values consistently.
Final Thoughts: You Deserve a Life That Aligns With Your Truth
Living in alignment with your core values isn’t about being perfect—it’s about making intentional choices that honor who you truly are. When you do, you’ll experience greater clarity, confidence, and fulfillment in every area of your life.
✦ Feeling stuck or unsure how to realign? Let’s work together! Book a free discovery call, and I’ll help you create a personalized plan to bring your life into alignment.
You deserve a life that feels authentic, purposeful, and deeply fulfilling. And it all starts with aligning with what truly matters to YOU.