We might face failure or rejection, have to deal with unpleasant or difficult people, work at a job we do not like, or our plans might not work out. These events prevent us from experiencing happiness and satisfaction, and their memory lingers.
Going through bad experiences conditions the mind to expect problems, difficulties, and unhappiness. This leads to a negative mindset so that when there is happiness, one expects something bad to happen and take the happiness away. To become a happier person, you should eliminate this destructive habit.
These events might trigger happiness, but you do not need to depend on them to for happiness. You can intentionally involve yourself in certain activities that produce happiness.
Though happiness seems to result from outside events and activities, it actually comes from within you, when for some reason, temporarily, you forget about your problems and difficulties. It happens when hearing good news, and when something good happens, that takes your mind away from the things that are troubling you.
Happiness is more a matter of attitude and state of mind and does not depend on people, circumstances, or events. Believing otherwise, puts your happiness, your state of mind, and how you feel, at the mercy of other people, and this is not a good idea.
Happiness is a subjective feeling. It is a feeling of content, satisfaction, completeness, and calmness. When you are happy, you do not feel stressed, do not worry, and you do not think negative thoughts.
These are simple habits, but you must repeat them often until they become automatic and part of your life.
1. Look for the joy in the small things around you
Do not wait for something exceptional to happen, to make you happy. Exceptional events do not happen every day, but small things you can enjoy are abound. Here are a few examples:
- Taking a short walk in the early morning
- Preparing and eating a good breakfast before leaving home to work
- Reading a good book
- Watching a funny movie
- You can find many simple activities you can enjoy, which will make you feel happy.
2. Find time to be out in nature
Go to a park, to the beach, a river or lake. Being out, close to nature, you experience a sense of peace, tranquility, and joy, which are the main ingredients of happiness.
3. Enjoy the company of friends
When with friends, try to enjoy every moment you are with them. Focus on love, joy, and fun, and enjoy the conversation, the laughter, and the food.
4. Avoid jealousy
Instead of being jealous of other people’s success, be inspired by it, learn how they achieved it, and follow their steps. There is enough success for everyone and there is no need to be jealous of anyone.
5. Be kind and considerate of other people
If you treat people with kindness and consideration, you will (hopefully) get the same treatment from them, leading to contentment and inner peace.
6. Learn to accept things as they are or change the bad things we can control
It is tough to be content with life and accept it, when you face difficulties and problems. However, if you accept things as they are, you make peace with yourself, which will take away, anger, resentment and unhappiness. This does not mean that you should not try to improve your life. On the contrary, do your best to improve it. Knowing that you are improving your life will bring you a sense of contentment, inner peace, and happiness.
7. What people say and think is their business
Do not allow your happiness to depend on what people say and do. People might think, say and do things you do not like or criticize you, but there is no reason to take it personally, and let this make you unhappy. It is your choice to allow them to affect how you feel, or refuse to do so.
What people think or say is their business, it is their opinion, and there is no reason why you should let this affect you. Do not take anything too personally, and you will have more happiness in your life.
8. Do not depend on external events to make you happy
You are not always in control of every situation you encounter. If you depend on external factors for your happiness, you might get disappointed over and again.
You do not need someone to tell you how wonderful you are to make you feel happy. You can be happy irrespective of your financial situation, occupation, where you live, or the people you encounter.
The sooner you realize and accept this idea, the sooner happiness will become a habit in your life and you would experience it more often.
