Everyone wants to be happy, but not everyone knows how. Because sadly, many of us have been trained to seek happiness and fulfillment outside of ourselves. What’s also sad is that living a happy life can sometimes seem impossible, causing many of us to give up on striving for a life filled with purpose and meaning.
Like many others, I once associated happiness with the wrong things, and I seldom took time to determine my personal values. Thankfully, I’m finally at a place where I’m living a life that feels true to me.
Your happiness may not look the same as mine, but I’ve been practicing a few habits that you can probably relate to and benefit from on your personal journey. Here’s a list of my top five tips for living a happy life.
I have chosen to be happy because it is good for my health.
Voltaire
1. Don’t Compare Yourself to Others
Comparing yourself to others is a distraction that can hinder you from living a happy life. The truth is that everyone has their own unique journey. And instead of focusing on someone else’s path, we should be getting in tune with the things that inspire and excite us in our own lives.
Personally, I’ve found that the less I focus on other people, the happier I become. Focusing on my own strengths and unique traits has tremendously increased my happiness.
It’s completely normal to compare ourselves to others from time to time. However, research suggests that constantly comparing ourselves to others can be damaging to our self-esteem and overall well-being. If you often find yourself comparing your life to others, practice becoming more mindful of your daily habits. In addition to becoming more self-aware, commit to only making social comparisons that will help—not hurt you.
2. Create a Happy Life by Getting Out of Debt
Happiness is not about accumulating money or material things. However, getting out of debt can help you live a more free and happy life.
By reducing your debt, you can create a meaningful life around the things you love. Gaining control of your finances can give you a greater sense of peace, alleviate stress, and improve your overall lifestyle in a number of ways. Whether you’d like to travel more, improve your living conditions, or gain more flexibility in your day-to-day… getting out of debt can be the key to a happier life.
3. Silence the External Noise
The world can be a noisy place. Living a happy life often starts with silencing the external noise and tuning inward to discover our true desires.
For me, solitude is a vital part of my self-care routine. Taking time to be alone brings me clarity and peace. It also provides space for me to be myself without outside influences or expectations.
In today’s fast-paced world, shutting out the outside noise can be settling to a busy mind. Slowing down, and paying attention to your inner life, is a huge part of improving the quality of your outer life.
4. Reflect On Your Blessings
If there’s one thing that increases my happiness, it’s reflecting on my current blessings. No matter what’s going on around me, I often take time to appreciate the good things in my life. Practicing this habit daily has made me a healthier, happier, and more peaceful person.
Counting your blessings—even the small ones—can reduce negative feelings and strengthen your outlook on life. Giving thanks, and noticing the blessings in your life, will also help you build hope and strength during difficult times.
5. Live a Happy Life by Embracing Simplicity
The older I get, the more I realize that the simple things often bring the most joy. Little by little, I’m mastering the art of decluttering my life, and I absolutely love it here! Living a simpler lifestyle has brought more calmness, clarity, and overall satisfaction to my life.
Look for ways to alleviate the stresses of everyday life by living more simply. Here are a few things you can do:
- Reevaluate your priorities
- Live within your means
- Focus less on material things and more on your inner being
- Savor the things that bring you joy, such as hobbies or simple pleasures
- Simplify your daily schedule
- Remove distractions from your life
- Limit technology use
- Spend more time in nature
- Create internal validation instead of chasing external validation
As we all know, happiness isn’t always easy. But it doesn’t have to be as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be. Simply being conscious of our choices throughout each day can put us on the path to living a happy life.
I hope this article inspires you on your journey towards happiness. And if there are any tips you’d like to add to this list, share them in the comments!
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