Happiness can sometimes be hard to find in the midst of a stressful life. It can seem impossible to be happy when your bills are piling up or when you have problems with a significant other.
However, let’s talk about people who are naturally jovial. Does their happiness mean that their lives are perfect? That they never have to worry about anything?
On the contrary, even happy people go through hardships in their lives.
There is no secret to happiness, really. But there are certain habits and specific thinking patterns that help those people live a life where they see the glass as half full.
And guess what? It’s totally doable to transform your mindset and habits to live an optimistic life!
In this post, I am outlining 20 things you can do to become a happier person – starting today! These bite-sized habits are a perfect starting point for your journey to a happier you.
So, are you ready to look at life through rose-colored glasses? Let’s do it!
20 Ways To Become A Happier Person
1. Remove yourself from negative people
People who are always looking for something to complain about are not the kind of people you should be surrounding yourself with when you are on a journey to happiness. The company you keep is directly related to your mood, so surround yourself with positive people instead.
2. Notice the small things in life
The saying, “Stop to smell the roses”, as cliche as it sounds, has a lot of truth to it. When something goes wrong, try to focus on small things that are going well in your life. You will probably be surprised at how many things you have to be happy about.
3. Keep a gratitude journal
Gratitude is an amazing way to bring more positivity to your life. Taking up a habit like gratitude journaling is going to make you realize how many things you might be taking for granted in your life.
4. Take up meditation
Meditation has many positive benefits to the body and mind. Along with reducing stress, increasing self-awareness and helping with anxiety, it can also rewire your thinking for happiness and success!
5. Start a new hobby
Because what better way to spend your free time than to be doing something that brings you joy? Here’s a list of hobby ideas you can start right now.
6. Get a pet or plant
Having to be nurturing towards another living thing will bring you a sense of responsibility. I’m a proud plant mom to four plants and love taking care of them and watching them grow!
7. Spend more time in nature
Not only is nature beautiful, but being out in nature has major health benefits, too. Make it a point to get outdoors every day, even if only for 30 minutes.
8. Get enough sleep
If you’re someone who sacrifices your sleep for other things, consider going to bed earlier. Seeing how amazing you will feel in the morning will definitely make you want to do it again and again.
9. Practice positive thinking
Working on a positive mindset every day is going to help you look at situations in a more positive way. You will also soon see that not everything is worth getting upset over, which will eliminate a LOT of stress.
10. Help others
Helping other people is not only good for them, but it also can have benefits for our wellbeing. By helping others we connect to other people, feel great about the good deeds we’ve done, and help build a happier community.
11. Buy yourself something that brings you joy
Look, sometimes you’re just going to buy something just because you want it to make you feel good. And that’s okay! So the next time you feel like a pack of cookies is going to hit the spot, go ahead and get them. You deserve it.
12. Learn to say no to things you don’t like participating in
A lot of us go to events we don’t want to be at, or do things we don’t want to do just because we don’t want to seem rude. You totally don’t have to attend every event your friends invite you to. Sometimes it’s okay for the couch to win.
13. Make a feel-good playlist
Music has been known to release endorphins, and you know what’s better than just any old music? Feel-good music! Take a few minutes to create a playlist of all your favorite happy tunes and blast it every morning for a fun way to start your day.
14. Follow inspirational social media accounts
Keep inspiration all around you, including on your phone. When you look at inspirational content, it is likely to make you want to work to reach your own goals.
15. Regularly practice self-care
Make it a point every day to do something that counts as self-care. That could be a bubble bath, reading a chapter of a good book, or even going out for a walk on the beach.
16. Delegate your tasks
If you often find yourself overwhelmed and pressed for time, try delegating some of your tasks to other people. So much weight will be lifted off your shoulders, and you’ll have time to do other important things. Like taking a nap.
17. Celebrate your small successes
Whenever you set goals for yourself, it is also important to celebrate the small successes you achieve on the way to those big goals. After all, baby steps are the way to achieving greater success.
18. Introduce positive affirmations to your morning routine
Practicing positive self-talk is going to help you with confidence and self-love. Try repeating three affirmations to yourself every morning to start your day off on a positive note!
19. Don’t hold grudges
Holding a grudge means you’re holding on to resentment, anger, and bitter feelings. Why do that to yourself? Learn to forgive and heal, and you will have more space for positive emotions.
20. Take care of yourself
Taking care of your body is as important as taking care of your mental health. Get enough sleep, get your exercise in, and make healthy food choices. When you’re healthy on the inside, it will show on the outside too.
And those were my 20 easy ways to becoming a happier person than you are today! Doing some (or all) of these every day is going to set you well on your way to becoming a more positive, glass half full person.
To make this more manageable, start by mastering one habit and then move to the next. You will soon realize a shift in your mindset and will become addicted to the happiness you bring yourself!
