If a significant birthday is on the horizon, you might be in a reflective mood. Whether you are turning 21 or 30, it can be difficult not to look back and ponder your life’s journey up until now. You might be pleased with your career, your home life and your finances.

Alternatively, you might feel a little stuck in a rut with an overbearing boss and you might struggle to stay in the black at the end of the month. Re-evaluating your life and making positive changes doesn’t have to be traumatic, and can help you to focus on what you want and need. Take a look at these three simple ways you can enhance your existence.

Job

If you have been in the same job for the past few years and you can complete your duties with your hands tied behind your back, you may feel unchallenged. To have more satisfaction in your role, you need to hunt for new positions. Seeking promotion opens you up to the possibility of rejection; a feeling no one wants to willingly experience.

However, getting knockbacks will allow you to build up your resume, improve your interview skills, and become a better candidate. You need to hunt for the sorts of jobs that will see your salary increase. Some people are keen to remain within their sector, whereas others make a mammoth change and venture into entrepreneurship or seek a career switch.

Health

If you have put on a few extra pounds recently, you might be keen to overhaul your nutrition and gym attendance. Eating well sounds easy, but the allure of cakes, pastries, and fried food can be too tempting to resist. If you do have a vice, whether this is food, alcohol or nicotine, you need to make a change and show more restraint.

If you do find that the main advantage of attending a party is the amount of wine you can consume, a visit to an alcohol addiction treatment center might be in order. Going teetotal, quitting smoking and having a healthier relationship with food will boost your confidence and leave you feeling happier and with a more positive outlook on life.

Future

Any significant birthday makes you think to the future. While you might not be looking to your twilight years just yet, you might think about what you want to achieve in the next twelve months. This could be career aims, or finding a relationship, or traveling. Venturing overseas and hot-footing it to destinations where you can see new vistas, immerse yourself in new cultures and meet new people is thrilling.

You might fancy trekking the Inca Trail, going to Norway to see the Northern Lights or backpacking around Goa. If you have the finances and you are able to find a good work-life balance, you need to enjoy pursuing something that gives you pleasure. You might want to travel, read more, cook or learn a musical instrument. Re-evaluate what you want to experience, and go for it.

Taking stock of your life doesn’t mean dwelling on your regrets. Look forward and enjoy re-evaluating your life for the better.