How to Feel Happy, Now

For a couple of years now, I’ve been trying my best to live a life as positive as possible. I always try to look at the bright side of life and follow my bliss, each and every single day.

Today, I want you to realize how magnificent and special you are.

I want you to be happy, full of life and inspiration. I want you to forgive yourself, I want you to love yourself, I want you to feel happy, every minute of every single day. Know, that you are meant to have an amazing, happy life.

HOW TO FEEL HAPPY, NOW

1. Have a grateful heart

Gratitude is the fastest way to change your life. Be grateful for all the beautiful things in life, the things that make your life easier. Be grateful for your health, your family, all the way to down to things like running water. When you pay attention to all the good things in your life and feel truly grateful for them, you notice more and more things that make your life beautiful and fun. You can’t be ungrateful and expect your life to change for the better. Appreciate all the good things and people in your life and always make sure to return the kindness that comes your way.

2. Learn something new, as often as possible

I find a great pleasure in learning new things. Having suffered from anxiety means that I’ve lived somewhat of a “sheltered” life for a long while. I didn’t like trying new things, I didn’t like facing any challenges, I didn’t like leaving my comfort zone (it’s so warm and cozy in there) and frankly, I didn’t even like leaving my house. You are never too old to learn something new, it’s never too late.

Be a lifelong learner.

It can be anything from a new language, cooking, photography, sport, reading- anything that you think you might like. Try learning something new and see if it makes you feel happier and fulfilled (and trust me, it will).

3. De-clutter

This goes both for things like tidying up your room/office/house and your mind. Identify the things in your life that don’t serve you, and eliminate them. This will create more room and time for happiness, for doing the things you love. Create more time for appreciating every little thing in your life like spending time with your child, having dinner with your loved one, enjoying your morning tea, etc. The same goes for tackling all the clutter in your space. Clean up your closet, your kitchen cabinets or your office desk.

Get rid of everything you no longer need- a lot of this “stuff” can always be re-purposed, donated or recycled. I feel great every time after I clean up all the papers that have been piling up on my desk, or after cleaning up my closet and donating old clothes that I no longer need. I always feel incredibly relaxed, happy and organized after my de-cluttering sessions (which I do often, because, unfortunately, I do have some hoarding tendencies… :D  ).

4. Be present

A lot of us, if not most of us, spend most of our time worrying and wondering about our future or regretting our past. As cliché as it may come across, only when you live for the moment, is when you can experience true happiness. If you think about it, THIS moment, THIS moment right here is never going to repeat itself. You can never go back on “now”, your “now” will always be here and now, in the present. Whether you’re reading your favorite book, drinking your morning coffee, spending time with your loved ones; do your best to be 100% present. Notice every smile, taste every single bite, feel every breath, every step, every kiss.

5. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher

Gossip, complaining, nagging and negative thinking- these are things that we all do from time to time. Before I came across books like The Power or Spirit Junkie, things like that didn’t bother me. When it was time to get together with friends, it usually meant that we’d sit together, complain about our lives a little bit and maybe share some fresh gossip. Now, I cannot stand being around negative people and guess what? I’m a much, much happier person right now. Your life is your story, that’s why you should edit it as often as you’d like.

You don’t have to feel guilty about cutting someone out of your life if they are a negative influence. It may not always be easy, but trust me, it can be life-changing. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself, with people who smile a lot and laugh often, people who chose to see the good in others. At the same time, make sure that you, yourself, are the type of person you’d like to be around. If there are some people in your life who aren’t exactly a positive influence but there’s no possible way for you to avoid being around them, make sure that you don’t get sucked in their negativity. If you see them talk about something negative, try to turn the conversation around into something positive.

6. Exercise

When I have a stressful day at work, the last thing I usually want to do is go through an intense workout session. But it’s on those days when I push myself a little harder, it’s on those days when I go a little further because once I do complete that workout and I’m lying on the floor, dripping in sweat, I feel 100 times better. I love what I do, but that doesn’t mean that my work doesn’t get stressful at times. You cannot let things you can’t control get to you and go through those intense workouts is what really releases that stress, it pumps up your endorphins which are your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters and instantly improves your mood. If sweat-drenching workout sessions are not your thing, go for a run or a brisk walk.

7. Learn to let go

Pretty much every single one of us has been hurt in the past. Whether it be a person or a series of unfortunate events, some of us hold a grudge against something or someone. If you want to be happy, you need to learn how to let go. You need to learn to forgive. One of the things that have really changed my life was forgiveness. I’m not only talking about forgiving others but also about forgiving myself. I’ve been putting myself down for years, never believing in myself, living in constant doubt. Years ago, I was sitting in my room, going through a very rough time in my life, I looked out the window, I felt the sun beaming at me, emotionally drained I blurred out “I forgive myself” I kept saying it out loud, until I started crying and then felt an enormous amount of weight being lifted off my chest. Ever since then, it sort of became my mantra.

A lot of times we’re being way too hard on ourselves and don’t give ourselves enough love and credit for all that we do. Learn how to let go of those limiting thoughts, learn how to forgive others, but also yourself. Let go and move on.

8. Be still

One of very easy ways to feel happier, right this moment, is learning how to be still. Listen to your thoughts, feel yourself breathing. You run around all day, working, taking care of others, trying to meet the deadlines, making sure all your chores are done. For a few minutes a day, try being still. Try not to think about what else needs to get done. When you feel like your life is going by too fast, each day not much different from the other, just take a minute and be still, peaceful. When you start feeling angry or frustrated, stressed, just take a moment to be still.

A lot of times when you’re feeling angry or stressed you can find yourself taking that anger out on others, often saying or doing things you don’t truly mean. Take a minute to relax and just breathe, let go of all the stress and slow down; be present, be still.