You ever have one of those days where something just feels... off? Like you made a decision — with your time, your energy, your money — and now you're questioning it? That weird “ugh” feeling might not be about the choice itself. It might be because you stepped out of alignment with your core values.

Core values aren’t fluff. They’re foundational. When you know what truly matters to you — at your core — life decisions get clearer, easier, and less draining. Whether it's career moves, relationships, or how you spend a Saturday, your core values are the filter that helps everything else make sense.

What Are Core Values, Really?

Your core values are the internal principles that shape who you are at your best. They’re not what you think *should* be your values — they’re the ones that feel right in your gut. The ones that light you up. When you’re living in alignment with them, things flow. When you’re not, everything feels off.

The Exercise That Changed Everything

When I first did a core values exercise nearly a decade ago, I thought, “Oh, I already know what mine are.” Spoiler: I didn’t. The value I was *sure* would be at the top didn’t even make my top ten. And when I saw the five that *did* rise to the top? I judged myself — hard.

But once I quieted the noise (and the judgment), I realized: yeah, those values *were* true for me. They weren’t what I thought they “should” be. They were who I already was when I felt most like myself.

That insight gave me a whole new lens. I could look back at past decisions — even the big ones — and suddenly understand why they worked or didn’t. I could see exactly where I’d been aligned… and where I hadn’t. And that awareness? It’s life-changing.

It Only Takes 15 Minutes

That’s it. The core values exercise in the Simplify Adulting Starter Kit takes about 15 minutes, but it’s not about learning something new. It’s about rediscovering what you already know deep down. It’s a tool to help you get unstuck, reduce stress, and move forward with clarity.

If you've been feeling off, unsure, or just overwhelmed, this is the place to start. When you understand what matters most, the rest of your life has a much better shot at aligning with it.

Start With Your Values — The Rest Will Follow

Grab the Starter Kit, do the values section (seriously — just do that part if nothing else), and join me in the next post where we’ll talk about recognizing when you’re out of alignment. Because there are always signs — and learning to spot them early can change everything.  

Until next time, stay happy and healthy. - Lee