The good life is a phrase used to describe many things over the years. It could be spending quality time with friends, exploring new places, investing in memorable experiences, travelling to new places or having a career you love.

However, for most people, the good life represents simplicity, authenticity and balance. A life without stress and pressure to perform at peak levels every day of the week.

The good life can take many forms, but all of them have one thing in common: they are grounded in the sense of purpose, now.

Seneca thought, “true happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.”

While there’s no single right way to live, Seneca encourages us to choose habits, actions, behaviours and routines that can fortify us against the chaos of modern living.

That means weighing all options before acting; being open to new experiences and learning from them; seeking knowledge and wisdom; accepting change as part of real living; and knowing that life is an ongoing journey filled with ups and downs.

That also means valuing self-knowledge and self-reflection. A basic understanding of yourself is the foundation for good decisions and true happiness.

Self-knowledge is the ability to see yourself clearly and understand who you are. It also gives you better insight into who you are and what makes you tick so you can stay grounded in reality.

“Every night before going to sleep, we must ask ourselves: what weakness did I overcome today? What virtue did I acquire?” says Seneca.