Have you ever had those days where you drive home from work and realize you don’t even remember the drive? Or you look up from your phone and wonder where the last two hours went? If so, you’re definitely not alone — and you’re probably living on a bit of autopilot without even realizing it. Modern life makes it so easy to slip into routines that keep us busy but not always fulfilled. And while routines aren’t bad (in fact, they can be really helpful), the problem starts when we go through the motions without really feeling connected to our lives. The good news? You can break free from autopilot and start living your life with more awareness, intention, and joy — and it’s easier than you might think. Let’s dive into how you can start living more mindfully and actually feel your life again.

Living on autopilot means you’re going through your daily life without much thought or real engagement. You wake up, scroll your phone, get ready, go to work, come home, watch TV, sleep — rinse and repeat. Sure, you’re getting things done, but you’re not always present while doing them. It’s like you’re watching your own life from the sidelines instead of actually being in the game.

Signs you might be living on autopilot:

• You feel like days and weeks blur together

• You constantly feel distracted or “checked out”

• You struggle to remember what you did earlier in the day

• You rely heavily on routines but don’t feel excited or inspired by them

If any of these sound familiar, it’s okay — awareness is the first step to making a change.

First, let’s get one thing straight: Living on autopilot isn’t a personal failure. It’s a very human thing to do. Our brains are wired to save energy by turning repeated actions into habits. That’s why you don’t have to think about how to brush your teeth or drive to work every single day. The downside? If we’re not careful, everything can become a habit — even the things that deserve our full attention. We also live in a world that constantly demands our energy, attention, and time. It’s no wonder we sometimes go into survival mode and focus more on just “getting through the day” instead of actually experiencing it. The beautiful part is: you have the power to wake yourself up anytime you choose.

How to Wake Up and Start Living More Mindfully

Try this: Pick one activity today — like making your morning coffee, brushing your hair, or walking your dog — and do it without multitasking. No podcasts, no phone, no distractions. Just be with what you’re doing. Notice how it smells, feels, sounds. That’s mindfulness in action.

Over time, these little pockets of awareness add up and help you feel more grounded in your life.

Autopilot often shows up when we stop making conscious choices. We pick the same lunch, the same route to work, the same TV show to watch — without thinking if it’s really what we want.

Tip: Start small. Instead of defaulting to your usual routine, pause and ask: “What do I actually feel like doing?”, “Is there something that would make me happier right now?”

Even choosing a new coffee shop for your morning latte or taking a different walking route can shift you out of autopilot and back into the moment.

One simple way to live less on autopilot is to make self-reflection a daily habit.

Mini Practice - At the end of the day, ask yourself:

• What was one thing I truly enjoyed today?

• What felt heavy or draining?

• What’s one thing I want to feel more of tomorrow?

You don’t need a full journal session — even just thinking about these questions while brushing your teeth can help you reconnect with yourself.

Sometimes we stay stuck on autopilot because we say yes to everything without checking if it aligns with what we actually want.

Overpacked schedules = zero room for intentional living.

Reminder: You’re allowed to say no — even to good opportunities — if they don’t feel right for you in this season of your life.

When you protect your time and energy, you create space to live more intentionally and make choices that actually light you up.

You know that feeling when you’re so absorbed in something you love that you forget to check your phone for an hour? That’s the opposite of autopilot — that’s flow.

Tip: Make a list of activities that make you feel this way. It could be painting, dancing, writing, gardening, hiking — whatever makes you feel fully alive. And then? Prioritize those things, even if it’s just 10 minutes a week to start.

Living On Purpose: It’s About Progress, Not Perfection