Living life on autopilot: A blessing or a curse?

I’d like you to think back to a time where you did something spontaneous. It could be anything from trying out a new coffee shop to switching up your weekend routine. This is a great way of gauging whether you could potentially be living life on autopilot.

Life is something that, in reality, is actually super short. For most of us, we don’t realise that life can be passing us by quicker than we’d like. New jobs, moving countries, having children, getting married, are all milestones that can be over in the blink of an eye. However, the pace of your life can be decided by you, not dictated by what’s going on around you.

In a world that constantly demands more from us - more efficiency, more productivity, more results - it’s easy to fall into autopilot mode. We wake up, follow our routines, respond to emails, attend meetings, and go through the motions of our daily lives without giving much thought to why we do what we do. 

For some, autopilot is a helpful mechanism that streamlines decision-making and preserves mental energy. For others, it’s a slow drift away from intentional living.

When is being on autopilot a blessing?

Humans are creatures of habit, we thrive on routine and consistency, as it gives us safety and stability, both physically and mentally. Living life on autopilot (at times) can be a blessing because it allows us to take a ‘back seat’ when we need it most. This could be in the form of your commute, your weekly food shop, or your workout regime. It could be the school pickup, or the processes that you use in your job.

These consistent, stable rituals turn into ‘autopilot’ mode because we don’t even need to think whilst doing them anymore. These habits are great for enhancing your life whilst giving you flow, stability, and structure.

When is being on autopilot a curse?

While autopilot can help us function efficiently, it can also disconnect us from meaningful experiences and personal growth. Time to reflect is the most precious time someone can get, and if the majority of your life (for example, the moment you wake up until the moment you go to bed) has slipped into autopilot mode, you no longer rely on spontaneity, fun, or adventure. You’re stuck in a routine you can’t get out of. If too much of life is spent on autopilot, we risk missing out on the beauty of the present moment.

When we follow the same patterns every day, we limit our exposure to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. Routine is great, but it can also prevent us from stepping outside of our comfort zones and seeking new challenges.

How is it possible to find a happy medium? 

It’s something I like to call ‘conscious autopilot’. It’s important that living on autopilot isn’t a binary ‘good’ or ‘bad’ but instead it’s how you engage with it that matters. 

When used intentionally, it can help us streamline life’s necessities and free up space for creativity, connection, and growth. But when left unchecked, it can lead to stagnation and a life that feels like it’s passing by unnoticed. The idea is to strike a balance—knowing when to lean into routine and when to break free from it.

Some ideas you can implement are as follows:

• Doing one thing each week that breaks you out of your ‘standard’ routine: It could be turning your standard shower or bath into a spa ritual, light that candle that you've wanted to, play a relaxing playlist. If you have essential oils, pop them in the shower for the steam to envelope - treat your daily autopilot routine as an experience that brings you joy.

• Audit your current life: Take time to evaluate whether your habits serve you or hinder your growth. What do you like? What do you dislike? What are the things you can actively change that will make a positive impact?

• Set intentional goals: Use autopilot for necessary tasks, but ensure you're actively steering your life toward meaningful goals. It could be a trip away, or it could be treating yourself to something. It could be taking up a new passion.

In summary, there are going to be times in your life where autopilot is going to take over. That is undeniable. However, it’s so important that you feel that you have control of your own life. It’s important to ‘step out of the matrix’ and live a lifestyle that feels more conscious and authentic for you whilst still respecting the things you need to do to stay aligned and balanced.

Join me for an Instagram Live on Friday, 25th April at 10:30am GMT! 

I'll share how you can transform your rituals: from autopilot to intentional practices that spark joy. 

I'll also be playing sounds that invite abundance and affirmations to help shift any stagnant energy.