Ask yourself this: Is your life happy? If you struggle to answer, you may need help finding what makes you happier. However, here’s a hint: You can do this.
How to Say Yes to: Is Your Life Happy?
If someone asks you, “Is your life happy?”, how do you respond? The automatic answer is yes, although it is sometimes a halfhearted reply. However, this doesn’t mean you aren’t happy, but it may depend on what else is going on in your life. You can be happy even though you’re busy, tired, trying to solve a problem, or getting over a minor illness.
But what if your answer is no? How can you find ways to be happier, or how to get your happy back? Here are some tips that may help you cultivate happiness.
Relish the Moment
Do you live in the present? Most people like to think they’re fully present, yet with so much to deal with every day, it’s often an uphill battle to tune out distractions and focus on the present moment.
However, consider that this moment is where you live, and it’s all you have now. This time will never come again, so I encourage you to relish it. This doesn’t mean you banish thoughts of how to get that project done by day’s end, or which route to take to make it to dinner with a friend, or other pressing concerns.
- You acknowledge this moment and give thanks for what you have.
- Another way to relish this time is to breathe deeply and appreciate your surroundings. See, hear, taste, touch, and smell, as appropriate.
- Besides, although it may seem trivial, experiencing the moment is a fantastic way to gauge whether your life is happy. However, the chances are, it’s pretty close.
Let the Small Things Go
I’m a firm believer in letting the small stuff go. What isn’t critically important is something I don’t dwell on, at least not right now. If there’s a task or project on my to-do list, I prioritize it along with other items that require attention. This gives me breathing room, lowers stress, and allows me to feel happy about what I’m doing now.
How does it work?
- The junk mail is best set aside to go through when you have some free time. It doesn’t need to occupy your time now.
- Another helpful way to let the small things go with laundry is to buy a hamper or two and sort items immediately. Put darks in one, linens in another, heavily soiled ones together, and so on. This way, when you do a load, half the work is already done.
- Do spam calls and emails irritate you? Apply a spam blocker or filter to reduce the amount of spam you receive. Why give energy to something annoying when you can eliminate it?
Is Your Life Happy? Release Your Emotions
Pent-up emotions will drain you physically and mentally. Everyone experiences emotions, some of which are intense, and others are mild. However, like a dam that overflows when it reaches capacity, without some way to release them, built-up emotions that erupt can cause severe damage.
Yet, emotional strength teaches you how to manage the most powerful emotions effectively. By learning how to cope with anger, fear, guilt, shame, and other potentially self-destructive emotions, you’re giving yourself room to experience joy and happiness. The release of blocked emotions is more than cathartic. It’s life-affirming.
Allow Yourself to Play
Is your life happy? You may need to permit yourself more time to play. This means going at it full-tilt, giving in to the feeling of joy and happiness by doing what you love.
For me, that’s gardening, or baking delicious desserts, taking a long, scenic drive, or eating a leisurely meal at our favorite restaurant. Others may prefer golf, attending a sporting event or concert, or hanging out with friends. Whatever feels like play to you, go for it.
You’ll probably laugh a lot. You won’t have to worry about bills or whether your house needs cleaning. Relax and have a good time. This is a secret to happiness, and an excellent way to experience it.
Explore Something New
When was the last time you tried something new? I’m not talking about a new detergent, ballpoint pen, or facial cleanser, but some activity or pursuit that you never did before. Happiness is all about discovery, so trying to ask yourself, “Is your life happy?” without actively exploring it is counterintuitive.
Where should you start?
- Consider your interests. There’s likely an activity that aligns with what you like. This can be as simple as finding a new location for your favorite activity, such as a more challenging ski hill or a far-off ski resort. Consider the adventure and how to make the most of it.
- However, a career change may be something you’ve briefly thought about. You can explore what you need to make a bold move, enroll in classes to become more knowledgeable or skilled, network, or get a side gig in the field.
- There are many other ways to explore something new. Once you begin, your list will grow and provide many suggestions to try.
Challenge Yourself
When do you get out of your comfort zone to attempt something challenging? The thrill of exhilaration from accomplishing demanding tasks is unmatched. It’s a feeling of satisfaction that comes as close to happiness as you’re likely to experience.
Besides, mastering challenges provides powerful ways to succeed and grow stronger. You learn that you’re capable of more than you realize. Taking on challenges encourages you to be proactive and seek out other ways to test your skills and abilities. Furthermore, the more you grow, the happier you are.
Is Your Life Happy? Celebrate Success
When you achieve a goal, succeed in a project, receive recognition or acknowledgment for a job well done, take time to celebrate it. This is cause for joy. You’ve worked hard and deserve to bask in the victory. Success means you make things happen.
Besides feeling good, it’s a fundamental way to answer the basic question of, “Is your life happy?”
