Life can be good every day, and you can feel happy nearly every day. These are truths that I learned that hard way after being not-quite-happy for quite a long time. You can be happier, too, but it does take a little work to give yourself a happiness makeover. If you sincerely want to be happier in your life, here are a few of my tried and true tips to get you started.
Set an intention to become a happier person. You need to consciously decide that you want more happiness in your life and you have to be willing to make the changes necessary to become a happier person. Realize that it will not happen overnight, but it will happen if you work at it with a willing and committed spirit.
Do a negativity check up on yourself. Listen to to words that go through your head, and come out of your mouth. Listen to the words of the people around you. Are you more apt to notice the one cloud in the sky rather than all of the beautiful blue? Do you think and speak negatively more often than not---about yourself, others, and life circumstances? Are you surrounded by people who focus on the negatives in life? If you are nodding your head, then it is time to turn those negative thoughts and comments around. Yes, it will take practice, but start looking for all the good things that you see and speak and think about those things. If you are surrounded by negative people who bring you down, you may want to consider finding more positive people to spend your time with, and to help you see the brighter side of life.
Be grateful. The happiest people I know are the most grateful people. To be happier, try ending each day by making a list of all of the things that you have to be grateful for from the day. For many people, this is hard at first, but start with five things a night and keep at it. Nothing is too small to be grateful for, and over time you will find yourself naturally noticing more things for which you are grateful. As your gratitude increases, so will your happiness. You cannot be grateful and miserable at the same time.
Smile, smile, smile. If you are not a naturally chipper person, practice smiling. Smile at strangers you pass, think of things that make you smile, smile at the people you know and love. The more you smile, the more endorphins are released by your brain. Endorphins make you feel good and happier, as a result. People tend to smile back, too, and that is an added bonus!
Be kind to yourself. To be truly happy in life, you must treat yourself like you would treat someone you love dearly. Think good things about yourself. Take good care of yourself. Eat well and exercise and get enough rest. Do not be too hard on yourself. Allow yourself to be human and learn to laugh at yourself. Treat yourself to a little goody occasionally. If you are not treating yourself well, chances are that others will not, either.
Some of us are more naturally sunnyside-up kinds of people, and others are a bit less sunny. However, with an intention to become happier, and a lot of practice and willingness, most people can attain a higher level of happiness. Keep trying, stay committed to yourself and your happiness, and you will be surprised at the results that you see. Once you stop relying on others, and things, and circumstances for your happiness, and realize that your happiness depends on your attitude, and the choices that you make, doors that seemed bolted shut will suddenly begin to swing wide open. Happiness will flow into your life through those open doors. The trick is to get them open. You can do it.
