When Was the Last Time You Felt Truly Alive or Excited About Something?

I still remember sitting across a client who looked lost eyes tired, voice flat. I asked gently, “When was the last time you felt truly alive or excited about something?” She paused, and then her eyes welled up. “I don’t remember,” she said. And I understood. Deeply.

Because I’ve been there too.

There was a time in my life where I didn’t even know what day it was. I was showing up to work, replying to emails, eating out of habit, sleeping with a restless mind, and waking up just as tired. I wasn’t sad or angry. I was just… numb.

Then one day, I asked myself that same question:

When was the last time I felt truly alive?

And my mind took me back—not to a fancy trip or big career win—but to a simple evening. I was sitting by the window with a book and coffee, it had just rained, and I had nowhere to be. That was it. But in that moment, I felt present. I felt me.

Why This Question Matters

When life feels like a loop, we forget what joy even feels like. Asking this question gently brings us back to ourselves. It’s not about chasing dopamine or waiting for some perfect moment. It’s about remembering what lights us up even slightly.

My Honest Answer Today

Today, what makes me feel alive is helping someone reconnect with themselves,bring value to someone's life. It's when a client or collegue says, “You helped me see myself again.” It’s also in the quiet moments café hopping, discovering a new blend of coffee, laughing with my husband at something silly. It’s not dramatic. It’s honest.

If you’re reading this and feel disconnected, try journaling this:

When was the last time I felt a sense of peace, joy, or excitement even just a spark?

What was I doing?

Who was I with?

What part of me felt seen or fulfilled in that moment?

And don’t worry if you can’t remember right away. Sometimes we have to sit with the question for a while before the answers rise.

This question won’t fix everything overnight. But it’s a start. A soft reminder that the version of you who felt alive before? She’s still in there. She’s just waiting for you to look her way again.