Happiness is something people often dream of, chase after, wish for. Some people think you have to have a lot of money to be happy, or have the best grades, or have tons of followers to be happy. I have often let myself fall into the trap of seeking happiness from temporary things. I've even found myself relying on others for my happiness. This is not a healthy habit to form. So, with the start of the new year, I've decided to take the bull by the horns. I'm going to create my own happiness.
Here are 10 TIPS that I am working on to improve my happiness:
1.) Get enough sleep. You will not be in a very good mood if you are sleep deprived. In fact, not getting enough sleep can lead to irritability, stress, depression, and anxiety. Trust me, those are not synonyms for happiness.
2.) Stop hiding your feelings. I do this one a lot... I'd rather keep the peace than tell how I really feel and risk upsetting someone. But, in the end, it's better to be open and not keep things bottled up. You may not even realize that something is bothering you until one day it just comes up out of nowhere. You must realize your feelings are real and valid. This is one of the biggest pieces of advice that I am working on.
3.) Banish anger and negativity. It seems like an obvious thing to do, but it is important. Your reaction to a situation is up to you. You can either choose to react calmly, or choose to let your emotions control you, and make you act before you think. Be more conscious of how you react to different problems, people, and thoughts. Turn anger into acceptance and forgiveness, and negativity into motivation and positivity.
4.) Find and do the things you love. Another obvious but important one.
What makes you smile? What makes you laugh? What's something you could do all day and never get tired of? Incorporate these things into your daily schedule. Some examples for me would be blogging, making videos, sewing and visiting new places.
5.) Find music that puts you in a good mood. I love this one. Sometimes if I'm in a bad mood, I'll put on some Imagine Dragons (the Night Visions album), and I'll almost instantly be in a better mood. You could put it on while your working, driving, writing in your journal, anywhere really! It's a super easy way to create your own happiness.
6.) Keep a gratitude and/or achievements journal. I personally have just a normal journal that I write everything in, but on some days when I'm not so bubbly, I like to list out everything I'm grateful for and everything that makes my life amazing. It helps you see a different perspective, and focuses on the positive rather than the negative. Listing your achievements of the day, no matter how little, is also a great way to improve your mood. Being productive feels so amazing and helps motivate you to continue doing great things.
7.) Clear out clutter from your living area. This even applies to your car, workspace, locker, etc. I don't know about you, but having a messy room majorly stresses me out. Literally, I cannot even do my homework until my room is clean haha. So if you're like me, make sure to clean as you go, or set a cleaning day to get rid of clutter and let more good energy flow! It will definitely help stop bad vibes and in turn help you be happier and more productive.
8.) Help others. Volunteering, helping a neighbor with yard work, tutoring a friend, all of these can help you feel more fulfilled and happy because you are supporting others and giving them happiness too!
9.) Don't take yourself too seriously. You will make mistakes. Sometimes they will be embarrassing. Trust me, I've had my share of embarrassing moments. One time I was walking down the football field in a gown and heels for the homecoming court ceremony, and I tripped and fell right onto the muddy grass, right in front of everyone. Now, I could have chosen to let myself feel like a total loser. But instead I laughed it off. There's nothing you can do in a moment like that except decide how you want to react. It kind of goes back to tip #3. Accept that it happened and move on.
10.) Know that everything is temporary. You won't be in this situation forever. These problems won't last forever. Even the good things won't last forever. This is why you must deal patiently with the "not so enjoyable" things, and appreciate the things that make you smile while they're there.
Now that I've told you my tips, I wanted to go back to what I said in the beginning of this post. If you find yourself relying on likes, followers, money, grades, or other people for your happiness, stop and think. These things may make you feel good in the moment, but if you find yourself getting stressed out because you have less followers than someone else, or because you want to please someone, you are not living for yourself. You are living at the will of others. You are comparing yourself. To be truly happy, it is important to accept yourself, be positive, be grateful, and make sure you take care of yourself. And with that, I hope you have a positively fabulous day!
XO, Lauren
