We all start out believing that we will find happiness after we have finished school, completed a degree, found a perfect job and settled down with a family. But along that journey you will soon find that happiness might never be the destination, rather we need to learn to enjoy simple everyday things to truly be happy. Yes, long term goals are important, but will not necessarily make you happy once you have achieved them. Here is a list of 10 simple things to find your happiness today and every day.
1. Love yourself
Learning to love yourself is one of the most important steps in finding true happiness. You will never truly be happy if you are not happy with yourself. It is a pity that this is something people have to learn, when it should be such a natural thing. Instead we worry what others think about our outward appearances, actions, and choices. Do simple things like telling yourself you are beautiful/handsome or a good person when looking into the mirror. Stop constantly insulting your appearance, intelligence or actions. Tell yourself you love yourself and forgive yourself. Treat yourself like you would your best friend. Be at peace with who you are and you will find peace in adverse situations more easily.
2. Do new things
Go on adventures, try new things. Travel, try new food, go to an art gallery or join a race. Set yourself fun and challenging goals. Do the things you have always wanted to or the things you never thought you would. Life is for living and the world is full of adventure and opportunities for exploration. Get out of your comfort zone more and nourish the wildness in you.
3. Help others
Helping other people is a selfless act, but does a lot to bring a rewarding experience to others and to you. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, hospital or nursing home. Join a charity and do things to help improve the environment, community, and society at large. Make food for those who need it, donate some of your old clothes or just help out a friend in need. Doing good things for the planet, plants, animals or people is sure to bring happiness.
4. Find meaning in life
Finding meaning in life could mean many things. It could mean find meaning in your career, religion, spirituality or just the belief that you only live once. Make the most of your life. Finding any type of meaning to your life is a big part of finding happiness ad purpose in the life you live.
5. Enjoy the present
One of the reasons that people often don’t find the happiness they are looking for is because they are too busy focusing on where they are going, or thinking about the past rather than enjoying the ride. Being in a present moment is powerful and cultivating an appreciation for the moment you are in now can bring a lot of happiness. Meditation and mindfulness practices can help with this.
6. Spend time alone
Spend time alone. We all need a bit of solo time to truly be happy. Give yourself a break from work and household chores and just be. Relax in the bath, take a rest. Meditate or sit quietly outside. Even just spending time alone listening to music, going to a movie or eating a meal in a restaurant can be healing to the soul.
7. Keep in touch with friends
Friends are a very important part of finding happiness in life. One of the top regrets of people who are dying is that they did not make enough time for friends.
8. Do something you love
Be creative, make the decision to find a job you are passionate about or find a hobby that involves doing something you love. Even if you do not always love your job and work way too much, always do something for yourself you love, even just a long bubble bath, going for a bike ride, a gig, or reading a book. Carve out time in your life for your passions.
9. Learn a new skill
Always keep improving your skill set. Learn to cook, garden, paint or fix cars. Learn an instrument or new subject. Creating things can release a lot of emotions and bring a lot of joy. This also builds confidence and brings happiness in achieving something that improves you.
10. Live a healthy lifestyle
Not only does regular exercise, eating healthily, and sleeping enough, improve your mood, it also builds self-confidence. Being confident and loving yourself just enough means that you will feel bad about yourself and what other’s think of you less. A healthy lifestyle also means a longer and more vital life. Being healthy means being able to achieve more of your dreams and find happiness.
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