This article describes how to be happy. These tips will help you feel more fulfilled in life, and learn to appreciate yourself for who you are.
Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. If you have any questions or concerns about your mental or physical health, reach out to a licensed provider.
Happiness Defined
In simple terms, happiness is experiencing feelings of contentment, joy, and positivity. Happiness is the opposite of sadness. If it is so simple, why do so many people struggle with being happy in their life? Some statistics show that only 14% of adults in America claim to be happy.
Happiness is a term that describes an emotion, but our emotions change all of the time depending on the situation. So what does it mean to be truly happy?
To be truly happy does not come from what you have, how you look, or how much money you make. Happiness comes from within yourself.
Get Honest
The first step towards becoming happy is being completely honest with yourself.
Think about the person you are. Would you be friends with yourself? Aside from materialistic things, what makes you feel fulfilled? If your life was a movie, would you like your character?
Shift your focus from what you have to who you are. It is important to be honest with yourself, especially if you aren’t who you want to be. Ignore comparisons to other people and think about what you would consider a good person. Are you following your own moral standards?
If you answered no to any of these questions, it is okay to not be the best version of yourself yet. You are capable of making changes to get closer to your personal growth goals.
Perception
Another great way to understand yourself is considering how you are perceived by others. Not just by anyone, but by the people who truly love you and want the best for you. If you asked someone who loves you to describe you as a person, what would they say? You might be surprised at their answer. Most people are their own worst critic, so changing your perspective may help you appreciate the person you are.
Pressure
It is common to feel societal pressure in life to be successful, wealthy, happy, etc. Understand that these expectations should not define you. This pressure can sometimes stem from within yourself. Comparing yourself to others is not constructive because everyone has a different idea of success, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Confidence vs. Cockiness
It is important to understand the difference between confidence and cockiness. Confidence is internally motivated, while cockiness is externally motivated. It is possible to be confident in who you are without bringing down someone else. Work on building up your confidence, and put trust in yourself. Over time, you will see a positive difference in your self talk.
Energy Exchange
Be aware of your daily energy exchange. Protect your energy on a constant basis, and do your best to remove factors that have a negative effect on how you feel internally. It is important to understand that every interaction is an exchange of energy, which can affect your progress toward true happiness. Match the energy given to you, and do not over extend yourself for someone who wouldn’t give you the same effort back.
Respect Yourself
Having respect for yourself is key in becoming truly happy. If you do not show your body and mind respect, you will not receive respect from others. Your body is a temple. Do your best to avoid habits that are detrimental to your health. Your mind is the most powerful part of you. Avoid negative self talk and show yourself the respect you deserve.
Detachment
A common issue that many people face is allowing their relationships to define them. It is important to practice detachment and remind yourself that your relationships do not define who you are. You are an individual and the people you surround yourself with are almost entirely your choice. Avoid becoming too attached to friendships and romantic relationships, and do not allow your life to revolve around these things.
The “Seesaw” Effect
If you ever played on a playground as a child, you have probably encountered a seesaw at least once. As one person goes up, the other goes down. Life is not linear. Some days people are up, and some days they are down. It is important to recognize that you are not better than anyone else. Everyone is on their own unique journey, and just because today you’re up, does not mean that the roles cannot switch quickly. An important takeaway of this analogy is to treat people with respect and kindness, because you could find yourself in their position one day.
Fill Up Your Cup
You cannot pour from an empty cup. In order to give love, you must show it to yourself first. Make sure you are prioritizing your goals and needs before giving your energy out to others. You are the most important person in your life. In terms of happiness, find something that you enjoy to do, and allow yourself time to do that each day/week/etc. This hobby does not have to make you money. Even the smallest droplets over time will eventually fill your cup.
How to Be Happy
So, how do you implement these strategies toward becoming truly happy in life? It is not always easy to put your happiness first. Society was not built off of these ideas. However, if you take small steps toward self appreciation, you’ll start to see how great you really are. Personal development and self growth is what makes you truly happy, regardless of what you have. Happiness is being content with who you are inside. And if you have a lot of work to do, that’s okay! Everyone starts somewhere, and each journey is unique. The first step is always the hardest, but makes the next two steps much easier.
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