Winter will be here before you know it. Often times, this season can create sadness and mild depression in some people. This is why, it’s a perfectly good time to talk about taking charge of your happiness. In this ever-changing world sadness, depression and even anger are unavoidable, however, living a happier life is about how you perceive the world and what you do to improve your life. These five tips will help you on the road to a much happier life.
1. Cut Out Negativity
Happiness is a mindset. To fill your life with smiles and laughter, you have to let go of the negativity. This may be done by saying goodbye to the people who bring negativity to your life. You can also get rid of negative thoughts and become more of an optimist. If those don’t apply, you may just need to turn off negative social media or news programs that can cause stress. The world is a cruel place, at times, but it can be filled with joy if you put yourself into the right mindset and allow happiness in.
2. Create More Meaningful Relationships
If all you and your best friend do together is get drunk, it may not be a healthy relationship. Or if your life partner is always putting you down, you might want to rethink your relationship. Forming toxic relationships with others can be harmful to your mental well-being. I hate to make it point blank to you, but if your friends or partner do not encourage you, uplift you or motivate you, then they may be poisoning your outlook on life. If this is true, you can do one of two things: you can strive to make these relationships more meaningful or you can completely cut the negative people out. The choice is yours, but to be happy you have to surround yourself with people who bring out the best you. And believe me, a friend holding your hair while you puke is not bringing out the best you. You need people who encourage you to be happy and to live a healthy lifestyle.
3. Give More Than You Receive
The art of giving your time, hard work or doing small gestures for others, brings a greater joy than a possession that cannot love you back. I once heard someone say, ‘If you help enough people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want.’ This quote is quite true. A humble person is a happier person. A person who does not expect much from others in monetary fashion develops stronger relationships. Happiness comes in helping others, so be a giver. You will live happier this way.
4. Forgive Easily
Keeping life-long grudges will only bitter your soul. Let go of anger and hatred and always be willing to forgive. Even if, you think you could never forgive a person, learning to forgive is essential. The act of forgiveness is always more for the person doing the forgiving. It eases your mind. It also brings about healing. Holding on to what has hurt you will only keep you reliving the hurt in your mind and you will never be happy that way. Forgive, let go and move on. Life does not have to be filled with regrets or anger.
5. Feed Your Soul
There are so many ways to feed your soul including spiritually, physically and mentally. Read more books. If going to church is an option for you, go more often. Don’t forget to eat healthy and exercise daily. Do the things that you are passionate about, as much as, possible. Don’t put off things until tomorrow. Work that piles up brings in stress and negative energy. Always do what you can today and start each day fresh.
Also, open your eyes to the good in the world. I enjoy writing, walking, reading and photography. I do these things as often as I can because they make me happy. I have surrounded myself with people I love and who love me back without expectations. Find what makes you happy and just do it. Make your dreams a reality.
I said earlier that happiness is a mindset, it really is it. Often times, happiness is also choice we make. We can choose to be happy or we can choose to be miserable. Of course, life will always throw us curveballs, but it is how you respond to them that will bring you to a place of happiness.