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9 ways to do more of what makes you happy
Do you ever feel stuck in a rut, doing the same things day in and day out? And as a result, you’re not as happy as you could be? If so, you’re not alone. Most people go through life without taking the time to do more of what makes them happy. But it’s not impossible – you can make small changes in your life that will lead to more happiness.
What is happiness, anyway?
First things first – let’s define happiness. The Merriam-Webster dictionary says happiness is “a state of well-being and contentment.” In other words, it’s a positive emotion we feel when our lives are going well.
But happiness doesn’t mean that everything in your life is perfect. Instead, it’s a general sense of satisfaction with your life. And research shows that happy people are more successful, productive, and resilient than their unhappy counterparts.
So how can we find happiness? Contrary to popular belief, happiness isn’t something that just happens to us – we actually have some control there. There are steps we can take to make ourselves happier. We can take care of our physical and mental health, find ways to connect meaningfully with others, and make choices that align with our values and goals. In short, happiness is something we create for ourselves.
And when we do find happiness, it makes life so much better. So if you’re not happy with your current situation, don’t just sit back and wait for things to change – take action and create the life you want. After all, happiness is worth the effort.
What’s standing between you and happiness?
So if you’re not as happy as you believe you could be, what’s standing in your way? Why isn’t happiness something that comes easily to everyone?
There can be a lot of reasons why happiness is elusive. Maybe you’re dealing with a lot of stress at work or in your personal life. Perhaps you don’t have any hobbies or interests that you’re passionate about. Or maybe you’ve just gotten into a gloomy mindset, and it’s hard to see the positive things in your life.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to find out what’s standing in the way of your happiness. Once you know what it is, you can take steps to change it. It might take some time and reflection, but it’ll be worth it when you finally find yourself feeling happy and content.
Why should you do more of what makes you happy?
You might be wondering why it’s so important to do more of what makes you happy. After all, if you’re not unhappy, isn’t that good enough?
But research has shown that there are actually many benefits to happiness. Doing what makes you happy is not only important for your own well-being, but it also has a ripple effect on those around you. So when you’re happy, you’re more likely to be successful, productive, and resilient, which in turn sets you up for a better future. And not only that, but happy people also tend to have better physical health and stronger immune systems.
Ways to do more of what makes you happy
Now that you know why it’s important to do more of what makes you happy, let’s talk about how. What are some specific things you can do to add more happiness to your life?
Here are a few ideas:
1. Figure out what makes you happy and list ’em out
First, take a moment to think about the things that make you happy. What brings a smile to your face? What activities make you feel good? Take a few minutes to write down a list of things that make you happy. Keep adding to this list as you think of or discover new things.
2. Find a way to integrate those activities into your everyday life
Take that list you made of activities that make you happy and find a way to integrate them into your everyday life. If you love listening to music, for example, listening to music while you’re commuting or working out. Or, if you love being in nature, try going for a walk in the park on your lunch break.
3. Start small – try doing one thing each day that will make you happier
If you’re not sure where to start, try doing one thing each day that will make you happier. It can be anything – from taking a few minutes to yourself to reading your favorite book or writing in a journal. The important thing is that you’re making an effort to do something that makes you happy every day.
4. Find people who share your interests and connect with them
Pursuing your passions can feel like a solo mission at times. You might love to run, but you don’t have any friends who are also runners. Or you might love to cook, but you don’t know anyone who shares your passion for culinary experimentation.
When you’re the only one in your circle with a specific interest, it can be tough to find the motivation to pursue it. That’s why one of the best ways to do more of what makes you happy is to find people who share your interests and passions. This might be anything from a running group to a cooking club to an online community.
When you connect with others who share your interests, it’s easier to pursue your passions and make them a part of your life. With the support of like-minded people, you’ll find it easier to stay motivated and pursue your passions with gusto.
5. Keep a positive attitude, even when things don’t go your way
Life is full of ups and downs, but it’s important to remember that it’s our attitude that determines how we experience each situation. When things don’t go our way, it can be tempting to focus on all the negative aspects of the situation.
But if we can take a step back and try to see the silver lining, we’ll often find that there’s something good to be found, no matter the situation. And even on our worst days, there are usually at least a few things that we can be grateful for. So next time you’re feeling down, take a few minutes to focus on the good.
6. Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem
There’s nothing wrong with a bit of self-celebration. In fact, I think it’s important to celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. This can be anything from finishing a project at work to taking a new fitness class. Taking the time to celebrate your accomplishments helps you stay motivated and focused on what’s important to you. It also reminds you of what you’re capable of achieving, which can be a great source of happiness. So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back – you deserve it!
7. Give yourself permission to be happy
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to give yourself permission to be happy. That’s right – it’s okay to be happy!
So often, we beat ourselves up for feeling happy. We think that we’re not supposed to be happy because we have all this other stuff going on in our lives and the world. But the truth is, giving yourself permission to be happy is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.
It’s a form of self-care. When you give yourself permission to be happy, you’re telling yourself you’re worth it. You’re worth being happy, no matter what is going on in your life.
8. Practice gratitude and appreciate the good in your life
On a related note, one of the best ways to find more happiness in life is to practice gratitude and appreciate all the good things you have. It can be something as simple as being thankful for your health or appreciating a beautiful sunset. Taking the time to notice and enjoy the good things in your life helps you see the world more positively. Gratitude is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.
9. Don’t overlook the little things
It’s easy to get caught up in the big things in life and overlook the tiny, little things that make us happy. But the truth is, the small things often make the biggest difference in our happiness. So take a moment to appreciate the small joys in your life, like a good cup of coffee or a sunny day. When you make a conscious effort to notice and enjoy the little things, you’ll find that your happiness level goes up significantly. So the next time you’re feeling down, take a few minutes to focus on life’s simple pleasures.
Tips on cultivating happiness in your life
Cultivating happiness in your life starts with identifying what makes you happy. From there, it’s just a matter of doing more of those things and seeing how quickly they lead to fuller lives. Here are some ways to cultivate a happier life:
Check-in with yourself regularly
Regardless of how old you are or what stage of life you’re in, it’s always important to check in with yourself every once in a while. See how you’re really doing. This can help you identify any areas of your life that need improvement. If you’re not happy with something, make a change. Life is too short to be anything less than content with the way things are going.
Set goals
If you’re searching for happiness, one of the best things you can do is set goals. Having goals gives you something to work towards – it provides motivation and a sense of purpose. When you reach your goal, you’ll get a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment- both of which are essential ingredients for happiness.
Surround yourself with positive people
Being around negative people can be draining. They’re always complaining, and their energy is contagious. I like to call them energy vampires. You know the type: they’re always miserable and suck the life out of every situation. Being around them is exhausting, and staying positive is hard when you’re constantly bombarded with that kind of negativity.
That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with positive people. People who are upbeat and have a positive outlook on life. They have a way of elevating your mood and making you see the good in every situation. When you’re surrounded by positive energy, it’s hard to stay unhappy for very long. So if you want to be happier, make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive people.
Live in the present
Life is all about enjoying the moment. At least, that’s what I’ve found. That means enjoying the moment you’re in and not worrying about what will happen next. It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite challenging to do. We’re always thinking about the future and what could go wrong. We worry about things that haven’t even happened yet. But the truth is, worrying does nothing to improve the situation. In fact, it usually makes things worse.
So instead of worrying about what could go wrong, try to focus on what’s going right. Appreciate the good things in your life and be grateful for what you have. When you live in the present, you’ll find that you’re much happier and more content with life.
Find your passion
There’s nothing better than finding something that lights you up. When you’re able to find your passion in life, it’s much easier to feel happy and fulfilled. If you haven’t found your passion yet, keep exploring and trying new things until you find something that makes you feel alive. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Help others
Think about it – when you’re able to help someone in need, whether it’s through volunteering your time or donating money to a worthy cause, it feels pretty great, doesn’t it? And that’s because it is!
Helping others is a great way to feel good about yourself and your place in the world. Not only are you positively impacting someone else’s life, but you’re also giving yourself a boost of happiness. So next time you’re feeling down, why not try reaching out and helping someone in need? It just might be the pick-me-up you need.
Final Thoughts
You can do many things to add more happiness to your life: Make time for yourself, do something new, spend time with loved ones, pursue your passions… the list goes on. But the most important thing is to be conscious of your happiness and make an effort to do more of what makes you happy. After all, life is too short to be anything less than content with the way things are going. So go out and create your own happiness!
