Living with Intention: How to Create a Life of Meaning, Purpose, and Lasting Imprints
As each of my parents took their final breaths—just six months apart—I found myself reflecting deeply on what makes a meaningful life. Though their life experiences were quite different from one another, each left this world knowing they made a difference. Isn’t that what we all hope for when we step back, look around, soak it all in, and say goodbye?
The Power of Daily Imprints
Each of us, no matter our background, has the ability to make a difference. It doesn’t require wealth, education, or fame. We leave lasting imprints through the time, heart, and energy we invest each day—on people, animals, communities, and our environment. These imprints, created moment by moment, shape our legacy.
Rather than focusing on the overwhelming notion of “legacy,” I encourage a shift in focus: from legacy to daily imprints. It’s a more accessible, grounded way to live with meaning—and one we can begin today.
The Science of Meaning and Mattering
It’s no surprise that two of the most respected frameworks for well-being emphasize meaning and purpose. Psychologist Carol Ryff includes “purpose in life” as a core dimension of psychological well-being, while Dr. Martin Seligman’s PERMA model identifies “meaning” as essential to flourishing.
During my positive psychology studies with Dr. Seligman, he shared his more current view that mattering—feeling valued and knowing you add value is as essential as meaning. Across life stages, this sense of mattering fuels motivation, resilience, and joy.
In my work with women in midlife—a season of regular transition—we spend time designing a next chapter that feels fulfilling and intentional. Careers evolve, our bodies change, relationships shift, and what once felt purposeful may need reimagining.
Your Personal Portfolio: A Ritual for Meaning
Just as you might build and review a financial portfolio, I guide clients to create a personal portfolio—a way to intentionally invest in the areas that bring joy, meaning, and growth.
Here’s a ritual I’ve followed for over thirty years, which I now share with clients. I do it each year on my birthday, but you can begin anytime. It’s grounding, clarifying, and energizing—a beautiful reminder that you’re making a difference, one imprint at a time.
The Personal Portfolio Exercise
Find a quiet space or take a solo walk.
Let your thoughts wander freely. Reflect on what—and who—matters most in your life.Choose your investment categories.
The categories you choose are the areas you want to nourish. For example:Family
Friendships
Personal health
Professional/personal growth
Service to others
Set specific intentions.
Under each category, list what you want to bring into your life. Be specific: Who? What? How often? When? Visualize this ideal with as much detail as possible - how are you spending your time and energy in each area?Keep your portfolio visible.
Place it somewhere you’ll see often. Revisit it regularly to reflect, revise, and realign your efforts. A coach or therapist can offer support and provide accountability.
If you are someone who lives by your calendar, you may want to block and protect dedicated time for each desired investment.
Do an annual audit.
A year later, reflect on your portfolio:What investments did you make in each category?
What are you most proud of?
What still feels important?
What do you want to let go of or carry forward?
Set your intentions for the next year.
Repeat the process: adjust your categories as desired, celebrate your progress from the previous year, and carry forward what still matters. This is not about checking every box—it’s a celebration of intentional living.
For my personal portfolio, I use 5x7 notecards. I take the most recent one with me on my reflection walk. I use a fresh card to write what I’m celebrating in each category from the past year. I flip the card over to capture what I want to bring into my life moving forward.
A Garden of Imprints
While the personal portfolio gives structure, I often return to another metaphor that resonates deeply with clients—and with me.
Think of your life as a garden. What seeds are you planting? What are you watering? Which weeds need pulling? What’s already in bloom?
Living with intention—through the ways we invest our time, energy, and soul—nourishes a life of meaning. Over time, these daily choices create a beautiful garden.
And those small, consistent imprints? They become the story we leave behind—a story of purpose, mattering, and legacy.
For me, it wasn’t the big, dramatic moments, but the quiet, daily, often unremarkable ones that left the deepest imprints from each of my parents. They made a difference. And so do you.
Could you use support around living more intentionally? Let’s chat!