Do you want to be happy? Of course you do!
For awhile, I was struggling with my happiness. I felt stuck and in between passions. Nothing was making me happy. I wasn’t enjoying my typical activities nor time with friends. What was up? I just wanted to be happy!
After time with my life coach and reading a few self help books, a light bulb finally went off! I was going about my pursuit of happiness the wrong way. I was expecting outside forces to make me happy and thought happiness had to be this big thing to figure out.
Being happy doesn’t have to be difficult, here are 5 simple ways to be happy:
1. Commit to being happy – Happiness is a decision! Who knew?
In order to be happy, you must simply choose to be happy. You always have a choice in how you feel. I know that it doesn’t really feel that way though. You decide to be happy, but then you hit all the red lights on your way to work and now you’re late, I’m sure you’re not too happy now. Or one of your best friends cancels your plans to hang out, that doesn’t feel too great either. And now you just got an unexpected bill when you thought you would be able to put some extra cash into your savings, what a drag! Being happy isn’t always easy, but the decision to be happy will make your life a little easier. Why let any of those things ruin your day? They’ve already happened so no need to stay upset, just deal with it with a smile and move on. Decide to be happy and be happy!
2. Don’t rely on others to make you happy – Happiness isn’t conditional
This is probably one of the biggest things I had to change in my mind. It’s not that I really relied on people to make me happy, but other people played a big role in my happiness. I used to set expectations on people or situations thinking that if things were just right, that I would be happy and things would be great. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. I would also depend on someone else to make me happy if I was sad, this was my biggest downfall. I love my boyfriend and I tell him all the time that he makes me happy, but that’s not his job. It’s a nice plus when the people around you add to your life in a way that adds to your happiness, but it’s not their responsibility to make you happy. Your happiness is an inside job.
3. Check your happiness level – Am I happy?
One of the tools I learned from my life coach is to check in with yourself when you’re feeling down. This has been helpful for me to catch myself before I get too down on myself. When I start to feel a little ‘meh’, I stop and check my happiness level by asking these three questions.
- Am I happy? – This helps me to stop and evaluate my situation and my feelings
- Am I willing to be happy? – Hopefully the answer is yes so I can move towards more happy feelings. If the answer is no, ask yourself why not.
- Am I willing to let this go? – This helps me to evaluate what made me upset, frustrated or sad and see how attached I am to those feelings.
Sometimes unhappy thoughts can creep up on you and asking these questions can help put everything in perspective and get you back on track to see things in a more positive light and put happiness back in your life.
4. Stay Present – Be present and do it with love
Being present means you’re living in the moment. You are appreciating the things around you and you are focused on the current task or conversation you’re participating in. When we aren’t present, we are stuck in the past or worried about the future. The past is already done and there is no need to dwell on what’s already happened. The future is yet to come and most of the time the things we worry about happening in the future, never happen anyway. When you’re stuck focusing on the past or future you are missing out on life. Take time to be mindful and really love every moment of your life, or you’ll miss it. Taking time to live in the moment and appreciate the good things around you will bring more happiness in your life.
5. Laugh – It’s hard not to be happy when you’re laughing
Laughter really is the best medicine. There’s something about laughing and smiling that makes you instantly happier. Whenever I’ve been upset, my mom and boyfriend always tell me to smile (and they make sure that I smile) in order to bring my happiness back. I hate this! How
can I smile when my life feels like it’s ruined! So dramatic, I know, but that’s how I would feel. So I’m not going to tell you to smile, b
ut to laugh. Find a funny video or photo that always makes you laugh and keep that video saved so that you can always pull it up when you need it. That funny video will bring you back to the present and help you realize that life is not that bad. Once you start laughing it really is hard not to be happy. Personally, I really enjoy watching Mini Pig videos to help make me laugh.
Bonus: Mantras
Pick some mantras to affirm your happiness. Here are a couple to get you started:
- I love how everything keeps working out for me
- I am happy, healthy and loved
- I appreciate this present moment and the positive energy around me
I hope you find these tips to be helpful and find you happiness. What other ways do you keep your happiness level up?
Stay happy my friends!
Be you. Be*YOU*tiflul!