Sounds a bit blunt, ammirite? But while happiness isn’t just something we can click our fingers and get in an instant, ultimately, the key to your happiness is in your control and your hands. You have a choice each day when you wake up to put a smile on or not, even if it’s a complete case of ‘fake it ’til you make it’. But it’s not always that easy, especially if you have a busy day ahead or if there’s a lot of to-dos on your life plate right now.
The good news is that you can take actions that will help you improve your life and feel happier overall. Be patient because it takes time to change habits and behaviours and time to alter your mood. Now is your chance to put the past behind and get excited about all that could be when you put your mind to it and focus on the following suggestions.
Follow your passion
Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life. Sit down and sort through what you believe will bring you the most joy doing each day. Secure a job you love by figuring out what type of work will keep you challenged and engaged. Remember that it’s okay to think and dream big and that no one’s stopping you from reaching your professional goals but you. A dead-end and boring job will be hard on your mental health, and your self-confidence may suffer. Be willing to take risks and make changes based on what makes you feel alive when it comes to working and your career.
Travel more
There’s no denying that travel enriches the soul. Travelling serves as an excellent opportunity to see the world and explore new lands, so why not do it more frequently? It forces you out of your comfort zone and helps you learn about different cultures and ways of life. You can eat new foods, go on adventures, and meet people who may forever change your life. Make a bucket list of all the places you want to go and put them in priority order. Start saving up your money and planning your trips out today so you can ensure you make it a point to travel more and take a break from your normal routine. If your budget or schedule doesn’t allow for big round the world trips – and let’s face it, who’s does? – then staycations are a fantastic alternative to jetsetting.
Spice up your relationship
Your relationship with your partner or spouse is another area to give some love and focus. If you’re bored, then you risk growing apart and not connecting on a deeper level. Spice it up by scheduling regular date nights and buying some beautiful lingerie to surprise your significant other with at the end of the night. If you want your relationship to work and be successful, you need to invest proper time and energy into it. Communicate openly with your spouse or partner and let them know your needs so they’re aware.
Make new friends
Remember when you were a kid and you could make friends in an instant and become besties without even knowing each other’s names? Well, it’s the same idea but as a grown up, but sometimes all you need is a fresh perspective to get out of your slump. Although it can be nerve-wracking and challenging to do as an adult, there are many ways to at least try growing your circle of friends. For example, you can join local organisations or clubs, sign up for a class, or attend neighbourhood and community events and gatherings. Put yourself out there and see who you connect with first and then try to develop and grow those new relationships over time.
Find a hobby you enjoy
Hobbies are another way to feel happier overall. They’re an excellent opportunity to put your skills and talents to use in a fun manner. Take the time to find hobbies that challenge you and put a smile on your face. For example, you can play team sports, sign up for a photography class, or learn to build or refurbish furniture. You can use it as a way to spend more time by yourself or to meet new people and socialise with others. Try a few different ideas out and see what sticks and you enjoy doing the best to help you decide how you want to spend your free time. It’ll be much more gratifying than coming home after work each night and sitting on the couch watching television.
Avoid comparisons
You may have heard it before, but it’s true; comparisons are the thief of joy. Avoid constantly comparing yourself to others and instead, focus on you and your life and how you can better yourself. Take breaks from social media and scrolling through your newsfeed and use this time to improve yourself instead. If you constantly compare yourself to others, you may get caught up in a cycle of negative thoughts and believe you’re not good enough and that everyone else is happy. Make a list of what you’ve achieved and what makes you special and review it often to help keep you focused on yourself and living your best life.
Take care of yourself
Taking care of yourself should be high up on your priority list anyway. Eating healthy meals, exercising frequently, and getting enough sleep each night are all incredibly important. Self-care is essential to you feeling your best and functioning well at work and at home. If you fail to do so, you may find that you’re in a poor mood most days and don’t have a lot of natural energy. Avoid relying on caffeine, sugar, and alcohol to get you through the day because they’re likely to cause you to crash and burn eventually. Instead, focus on living a healthy lifestyle and implementing positive habits that are rewarding and sustainable. The better you take care of yourself the better you’re going to feel and more likely you are to stay motivated to reach your goals.
Spend more time outside
Spending more time in nature and outdoors is another way to improve your life and feel happier. Being outside has a way of lifting your mood and spirits and putting you at ease. Get outside and breathe in the fresh air and notice the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. There are many ways to enjoy nature, such as going for a hike or bike ride, working in your garden, or having a picnic in the park. Go for a walk and use this time to meditate and clear your mind. You’re likely to find you feel a lot more creative and productive when you return home or to work. You might also want to consider getting a plant for your home or office to help boost your mood.
Update your wardrobe
If you want to be successful, then you need to dress like it. Therefore, improve your life and feel happier by updating your wardrobe. Go through your closet and get rid of or donate what doesn’t fit and doesn’t look good on you. Only keep clothes that you feel confident in, and that highlights your best features. Don’t be afraid to take risks with your wardrobe and dress bold every so often. You can mix and match patterns or buy a dress in a daring colour that you normally wouldn’t wear. You’ll feel much better going to your closet each morning when you know that all you own fits and is fashionable. You’ll feel much happier when you look in the mirror and love what you see.
Be grateful
A little gratitude goes a long way. Focus on the good and what’s going well in your life and monitor any negative self-talk. Keep a gratitude journal and write down all you’re thankful for, and look it over daily. Wake up with a grateful heart, and you’ll be more likely to maintain a positive attitude throughout the day. Your mindset and attitude are powerful and can help you alter your entire outlook of yourself and your life for the better.
Manage stress better
Too much stress and anxiety can take a toll on your mind and body over time. Therefore you must find ways to reduce and manage it. Improve your life and feel happier when you’re calm and at ease throughout the day. Try your best to avoid triggering situations that may be harmful to your mental health. If you’re feeling anxious then be willing to give meditation or yoga a try to see if you can slow your breathing and racing thoughts.
Declutter
It’s also wise to spend time decluttering your life and your belongings. It’s going to help free your mind, and you’ll have more room for what you actually need. Go through your home, office, and mind and clean out what’s no longer serving you. You’ll notice a lot less chaos around you when you aren’t surrounded by a lot of extra noise and clutter. Set aside time each week to get organised and rid of what’s only taking up space.
Apply these tips in your life to improve your days and feel happier. Time spent bettering yourself is never time wasted. Have some fun with it and enjoy all the rewards and benefits that come from working on improving you and getting to a good place mentally and physically. Track your progress so you can look back one day and see how far you’ve come.
