Unleash Your Best Life: How to Live in Alignment with Your Core Values

Have you ever said “yes” to something that immediately made your stomach sink? Or said “no” to something and felt instant relief? That’s your values speaking.

Your core values are the deep-down truths that guide you—the things that matter most in how you live, work, and show up in the world.

When your life aligns with your values, things flow—you feel more energized, fulfilled, and you. But when you ignore them? That’s when frustration, exhaustion, and that nagging “something’s off” feeling creeps in.

Here’s the good news: when you know your values, you can use them as a personal roadmap to build a life that feels right.

A life that energizes you, not drains you. A life that reflects what truly matters, instead of what you think you should be doing.

Why Knowing Your Values Matters

Think of your values as your personal GPS. They help you:

✔️ Make decisions with confidence
✔️ Say yes to things that light you up
✔️ Say no without guilt (because you know it’s not aligned with what truly matters)
✔️ Create a life that feels deeply meaningful

When your choices reflect your values, life feels easier and more joyful. When they don’t, everything feels like an uphill battle.

For example, if connection is a big value for you, but you’re constantly staying late at school, skipping family dinners, and missing time with friends, it’s no wonder you feel drained.

If creativity lights you up, but your days are filled with endless admin tasks, something will always feel off.

The best part? Once you know your values, you can start making small, intentional shifts that bring you back into alignment.

Values Are Always Moving and Shifting

The things that mattered most to you five or ten years ago might not be the same now. Maybe at one point, success and achievement drove you. Now, balance and well-being might be more important.

Your values can also be situational. The things that guide your teaching—like making a difference, structure, or student connection—might be different from what’s most important to you at home, like family, rest, or creativity.

And that’s okay! The key is knowing where you stand in each area of life so you can make choices that honor your whole self.

How I Use Values in Coaching

As a wellbeing and self-care coach for teachers, one of the first things I do with my clients is guide them through a ‘values list.’ Why? Because knowing your values gives us a strong foundation to set goals that truly align with what matters most to you.

It’s easy to set goals based on what we think we should do—work fewer hours, exercise more, take up a new hobby. But if those goals don’t connect to your core values, they won’t stick. When your goals are rooted in what truly lights you up, they feel right, and you’re far more likely to follow through.

That’s why I always invite teachers to explore their values first. It helps us cut through the noise and create a plan that feels meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with who you really are.

How to Discover Your Core Values

Not sure what your values are? Here’s a simple way to start:

Step 1: Look at Your Peak Moments

Think about a time when you felt truly happy, fulfilled, or in flow. What was happening? Who were you with? What were you doing?

Maybe it was a lesson where students were totally engaged, a heart-to-heart conversation with a friend, or a quiet morning reading your favorite book. These moments often reveal what truly matters to us.

Step 2: Notice What Drains You

What situations leave you feeling frustrated, resentful, or just off? Often, those moments highlight when a value isn’t being honored.

For example, if you need autonomy but constantly feel micromanaged, that’s a sign. If you crave connection but are always drowning in work, that misalignment will feel heavy.

Step 3: Choose Your Top 5 Values

Here’s a list to spark ideas:

🔹 Connection
🔹 Creativity
🔹 Freedom
🔹 Growth
🔹 Balance
🔹 Adventure
🔹 Joy
🔹 Security
🔹 Compassion
🔹 Success

(And there are so many more!) Pick 5 that resonate most with you right now. These are your guiding stars.

Living in Alignment With Your Values

Once you know your values, it’s time to use them. Ask yourself:

✨ How can I bring more of these values into my daily life?
✨ What’s one small shift I can make to honor them?
✨ What do I need to let go of that no longer aligns?

If balance is a value, maybe it’s setting firmer work boundaries. If joy is important, maybe it’s finding small moments of fun in your day. It doesn’t have to be a big overhaul—just tiny, intentional choices that bring you closer to what truly matters.

Final Thoughts: Your Pep Talk ❤️

Your values aren’t rules or a to-do list—they’re a compass. A guide to help you build a life that feels right for you. The more you honor them, the more at home you’ll feel in your own life. And isn’t that what we all want?

So, what are your core values? If you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear them in the comments! Or take a moment to journal about them. Because the more you understand yourself, the more you can create a life that lights you up.

You’ve got this. 💛