Living What Matters: How Committed Action Can Help You Align Your Life with Your Values

Do you ever feel like your life doesn’t quite reflect what you care about most? Maybe you value connection, but feel isolated. Or you value health, but struggle with energy and follow-through. Maybe you dream of being brave—but anxiety keeps you stuck.

If so, you’re not alone—and you’re not broken. Many of us feel pulled between the life we want and the life we have. The good news? You don’t need to wait to “feel ready” to start showing up for what matters. You can begin by taking what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) calls committed action.

Let’s explore what this means, why it matters, and how to start doing it—even in the face of anxiety, trauma, or self-doubt.

What Is Committed Action?

Committed action is the process of taking meaningful steps—again and again—toward your chosen values, even when it’s uncomfortable or difficult.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

In ACT, we often say: Don’t wait to feel better to live better. Take action aligned with your values, and well-being will follow.

Values vs. Goals: What’s the Difference?

• Values are ongoing, chosen directions—like “being a loving parent,” “living authentically,” or “helping others.”

• Goals are outcomes along the way—like “calling my sister this week” or “starting therapy.”

Values are like a compass. They give your actions meaning and direction, even if you’re lost in the woods. Committed action means walking toward that compass, even when the path is rocky.

Why Committed Action Matters—Especially in Therapy

When working with anxiety, depression, or trauma, it’s easy to fall into avoidance mode. You might:

• Skip events out of fear or overwhelm

• Stay quiet to avoid conflict

• Numb out instead of facing grief or shame

These choices might offer short-term relief—but they often increase suffering long-term, especially if they pull you further from your values.

Committed action helps break this cycle by encouraging you to take small, meaningful steps toward the life you want to build—even if the emotions are messy along the way.

Examples of Committed Action in Everyday Life

🌀 Value: Connection→ Call a friend when you'd rather isolate→ Share how you’re really doing in therapy

🌀 Value: Courage→ Attend a job interview, even if you’re anxious→ Speak your truth kindly, even when your voice shakes

🌀 Value: Health→ Take a walk, even if you don’t feel motivated→ Choose nourishing food, even on a stressful day

🌀 Value: Growth→ Set boundaries that scare you but support your healing→ Read, journal, or seek therapy to understand yourself better

These actions don’t have to be big. In fact, small, consistent steps are usually more effective. Committed action is less about grand gestures and more about living your truth in daily moments.

How to Practice Committed Action: A Simple Guide

1. Clarify your valuesWhat matters most to you? What kind of person do you want to be in your relationships, work, and inner life?

2. Identify obstaclesWhat thoughts, feelings, or stories tend to get in the way? ("I’m not good enough." "It’s not worth trying.")

3. Defuse from those thoughtsRecognize that thoughts are not facts. They don’t have to stop you from acting.

4. Choose a small, concrete actionSomething you can do today, not someday. Something that reflects your value, not your fear.

5. Do it—kindly, imperfectly, againWhether it’s reaching out, setting a boundary, or trying again after failure, your courage counts.

When You Slip (Because You Will)

You are human. You’ll have days when fear wins, when you shut down, or when life throws curveballs. The beauty of committed action is that you can always return to your values—again and again.

Think of it like learning to walk. You’ll wobble, fall, and get back up. Each step still counts.

Support for Living a Values-Driven Life

At Mindful Mountain Counseling, I help clients reconnect with their values and take steps—both gentle and bold—toward the lives they want to live. Whether you're navigating trauma, anxiety, grief, or a life transition, we’ll focus on building emotional flexibility and action rooted in what truly matters to you.

📞 Call 602-615-0166 to schedule a session 💻 Teletherapy available in Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, South Dakota, Vermont, and Oregon

You don’t need to feel fearless to take action. You just need to be willing. Let’s move toward your values, together.