How to Know If You’re Living a Good Life: 13 Questions for Reflection
There’s a well-worn phrase people often repeat during late nights at the office, or when someone they love is overworked, husting towards what they call A Better Life:
“On your deathbed, you won’t think, ‘I should’ve spent more time at the office.’ You’ll think, ‘I should’ve spent more time with my family.’”
But if we wait until our deathbed to ask what truly matters, it may be too late to realign, too late to live in a way that feels whole.
A good life cannot be measured in hindsight alone. It must be lived with intention, in the present. And that begins with asking yourself: What does a good life mean to me? How do I know I’m living one?
What Makes a Good Life?
For me, a life filled with contentment is a good life. It sounds simple, yet it holds within it layers of depth, meaning, and inquiry. Life is an intricate weave of expressions and impressions, the givings and the receivings, the moments of joy and sorrow, growth and reflection. A truly fulfilled life encompasses all aspects of our being.
A truly meaningful life invites us to look inward and ask questions that don’t always have immediate answers. But those questions themselves are the path.
Reflection Questions to Know If You’re Living a Good Life
To understand if we are living a good life, we must ask ourselves certain fundamental questions. You can start here, and more questions will come up. Some answers will point you to other questions you might want answered. But they’ll all lead to a better understanding of your life as it is now:
Are you happy where you are in your life—both in place and in space? Happiness is not just about external circumstances; it is about inner peace. Do you feel a sense of belonging where you are, or is there a lingering sense of restlessness?
Are you healthy in body, mind, and soul? True well-being is a balance between physical vitality, mental clarity, and spiritual depth. Are you taking care of yourself holistically?
Are you emotionally fulfilled? Our emotional world is as vast as the universe itself. Do you feel at peace with your emotions? Are you surrounded by relationships that nourish you?
Are you satisfied with all your expressions and thoughts? Our thoughts shape our reality. Do you feel aligned with the way you communicate, think, and express yourself in the world?
Do you have creative fulfillment? Creation is the soul’s way of expressing itself. Whether it is through art, work, or personal projects, does your creativity find an outlet that brings you joy and meaning?
Are you spiritually fulfilled? Beyond the material and the tangible, do you have a sense of purpose and connection to something greater than yourself?
Do you have clarity in all areas of your life? Clarity brings confidence. Do you know what you want, where you are headed, and why you are on the path you are walking?
Are you confident in what you do and how you act? Confidence stems from inner knowing. Do you trust yourself and your decisions? Do you walk your path with assurance and grace?
Are you curious to always engage in new learning every day? A good life is never stagnant. Are you open to learning, evolving, and embracing new experiences with curiosity?
Are you filled with compassion for yourself and others? Compassion is the bridge between the self and the world. Do you treat yourself with kindness? Do you extend that same kindness to others?
Do you feel connectedness within yourself and with everything in your world? We are not separate from life; we are woven into its very fabric. Do you feel that deep connection—to yourself, to nature, to the people around you?
Do you have a feeling of being complete? At the end of the day, do you feel whole? A good life is not about chasing something outside of you, but about feeling at peace with what is within.
Are you aligned with the purpose of your life? Each of us has a unique reason for being—a calling, a purpose that brings meaning to our journey. Are you in tune with this deeper purpose, or do you feel disconnected from it? Living in alignment with your purpose means that your actions, decisions, and pursuits reflect your inner truth. It is about waking up each day with a sense of direction and fulfillment, knowing that what you do contributes to a greater whole. When you are aligned with your purpose, life flows effortlessly, and challenges become stepping stones rather than roadblocks.
If you answered yes to many of these questions, you may already be walking your good life—consciously or not.
If you answered no or I’m not sure, that’s not a failure. It’s an invitation. An invitation to pause. To explore. To shift. To realign.
A good life isn’t a destination. It’s a practice. A continuous unfolding of self-awareness, wholeness, and joy.
May your life be filled with contentment, clarity, and joy—a truly good life. Not someday, but now.
If these questions stirred something in you—some clarity, some ache, or a quiet curiosity—you don’t have to go through it alone. Book a clarity call here. Explore how I work here.
Rudrāni is a certified yoga therapist, trauma-informed healing practitioner, and internationally trained facilitator in Inner Child Healing, Family Constellations, Past Life Regression, and Emotional Freedom Techniques. She integrates ancient Indian wisdom with modern therapeutic tools to support deep, holistic transformation.
