In the fast-paced world we live in, it’s easy to drift from day to day without taking stock of where we are or where we’re heading. Many of us fall into routines – some good, some not so great – without realising we’re veering off course from the life we truly want to live.
That’s where the concept of life auditing comes in. Just like a business audits its finances to assess health and performance, a life audit helps you critically assess different areas of your life, realign with your values, and make intentional changes to move forward with purpose.
Whether you’re feeling a bit stuck, facing a big decision, or simply want to live more consciously, conducting a life audit can be one of the most powerful exercises you’ll ever do.
Here’s what life auditing is all about, why it matters, and five practical tips to help you do it yourself.
What is a Life Audit?
A life audit is a structured self-assessment that helps you review the key aspects of your life, such as career, relationships, health, personal growth, finances, and lifestyle. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect on where you are, evaluate what’s working and what’s not, and consciously chart a course for your future.
Think of it like cleaning out a cluttered wardrobe. You pull everything out, assess each item, decide what still fits and sparks joy, and discard what’s outdated, no longer useful, or doesn’t align with who you are today. The same principle applies to life auditing: clear the clutter, keep what serves you, and make room for new opportunities.
Importantly, life auditing isn’t about harsh self-judgement. It’s about honest reflection, compassion for yourself, and a commitment to growth.
Why Should You Audit Your Life?
In Australia, we often pride ourselves on our laid-back, “she’ll be right” attitude. But sometimes, that mindset can lead us to coast along without truly checking if “she” is actually right! A life audit encourages us to be proactive rather than reactive.
Here are some reasons why a life audit is valuable:
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Clarity: It helps you gain a clear understanding of your current reality.
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Direction: You’ll uncover what you truly want and create a roadmap to get there.
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Motivation: Seeing your progress (or lack thereof) can reignite your drive to take action.
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Alignment: It ensures your actions, habits and goals are aligned with your values.
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Empowerment: You’ll take ownership of your life, rather than feeling like a passenger.
If you haven’t done a life audit before, or it’s been a while, now’s the perfect time to dive in.
5 Tips to Do a Life Audit for Yourself
Ready to start? Here are five tips to help you carry out a meaningful life audit.
1. Break Your Life into Key Areas
Start by dividing your life into different categories. Common ones include:
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Career or Business
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Health and Wellbeing
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Finances
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Relationships (Family, Friends, Romantic)
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Personal Growth (Learning, Skills, Hobbies)
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Environment (Home, Living Situation)
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Leisure and Fun
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Spirituality or Meaning
You might add or remove categories based on what’s most relevant to you. Once you have your areas, rate each one out of 10 based on your current satisfaction level. This gives you a snapshot of where you feel strong and where you might want to focus more attention.
Pro Tip: Create a “life wheel” diagram if you’re visual – it’s a great way to see imbalances at a glance.
2. Reflect Deeply (Not Just Surface-Level)
It’s easy to jot down quick thoughts like “Work’s fine” or “I need to exercise more,” but a true audit requires digging a little deeper.
Ask yourself reflective questions like:
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What’s working really well in this area?
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What drains my energy or causes frustration?
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What habits have I formed here? Are they serving me?
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If I could change one thing, what would it be?
Be brutally honest but also kind to yourself. The goal isn’t to beat yourself up; it’s to understand where you are and what you truly need.
Tip: Journalling your answers can be incredibly helpful for clarity.
3. Reconnect With Your Values
Values are the compass that guide your life choices. Yet, many people drift through life without consciously checking in with what truly matters to them.
Ask yourself:
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What are my top five core values right now?
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Am I living in a way that honours those values?
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Where am I out of alignment?
For example, if “freedom” is one of your top values but your job makes you feel trapped, that misalignment will eventually cause dissatisfaction, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.
Once you reconnect with your values, decision-making becomes a whole lot easier and more empowering.
4. Set Clear Intentions (Not Just Goals)
After assessing where you are and reconnecting with your values, it’s time to look ahead.
Rather than just setting traditional “SMART goals,” think about setting intentions. Intentions focus more on how you want to feel and live, rather than just ticking off achievements.
For instance:
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Goal: Lose 5kg by summer.
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Intention: Feel strong, energised and proud of my body.
Both are useful, but intentions can be more motivating and flexible. From there, you can still set practical goals that support your broader life vision.
Remember: Small consistent actions beat big dramatic changes that never stick.
5. Create a Regular Life Audit Ritual
A life audit isn’t a one-and-done task. Life is dynamic, so your needs and desires will change over time. Set up a regular ritual to review and refresh your life audit – whether that’s quarterly, twice a year, or annually.
You might choose a special date (like your birthday, the start of the financial year, or the new year) to make it a meaningful tradition.
During each ritual, revisit your categories, assess your satisfaction levels again, reflect on changes, and update your intentions. It’s a brilliant way to stay connected to yourself and live intentionally.
Life auditing is one of the most empowering gifts you can give yourself. It doesn’t require fancy tools or endless hours – just honesty, courage, and a willingness to pause and listen to your inner compass. By taking the time to regularly assess, reflect and reset, you’re not just reacting to life – you’re consciously creating it. And that’s a powerful thing.