2015 is the first year I can honestly say I've stuck to my new year's resolution. Most other year's I've probably forgotten what my goals even were by the end of January, let alone managed to stick to them. My resolution for the past 12 months was simple: Be happy. Happiness is one of those things we are all trying to achieve day in day out. Maybe sometimes we try too much to be happy that it just doesn't work out. I'm going to share with you my tips for a happy life and maybe 2016 will be a happier year for you.
Don't do things that make you unhappy. I'm not talking about refusing to wash up or take out the recycling bins but if there's certain social situations you repeatedly find yourself in that make you unhappy then have the courage to leave them. Don't feel forced to go to that house party you know you'll hate and don't go on a date with a guy you're not feeling just because a mutual friend thinks you're 'made for each other'. If we constantly live to please others we end up sacrificing our own happiness. Know where the line is between stepping outside of your safety zone and doing something you're not comfortable with.
Be positive. Positivity breeds positivity. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a positive in a bad situation and it's all too easy to take a trip down Why Me Lane and throw a pity party for ourselves. Make your favourite motivational quote your screen saver to give you a boost throughout the day. If that doesn't work then do something positive to help somebody else. Trust me it'll make you feel better in an instant. Whether it's holding open a door for somebody, letting somebody in front of you in a queue or popping your lose change in a charity box. Small positive actions begin to make big differences.
Be positive. Positivity breeds positivity. Sometimes it can be difficult to find a positive in a bad situation and it's all too easy to take a trip down Why Me Lane and throw a pity party for ourselves. Make your favourite motivational quote your screen saver to give you a boost throughout the day. If that doesn't work then do something positive to help somebody else. Trust me it'll make you feel better in an instant. Whether it's holding open a door for somebody, letting somebody in front of you in a queue or popping your lose change in a charity box. Small positive actions begin to make big differences.
Change. If the thing that makes you most unhappy is your job, relationship or housing situation then don't forget you can change it. Never be afraid of cutting out toxic friendships or habits that no longer fit who you are. There are certain things in life that can only be controlled by ourselves. I like to write down a long term goal for the change I'd like to make and then break it down in to smaller more achievable aims I can fit into my evening after work. Those small changes lead to big ones.
Appreciate. Just like positive thinking, happiness comes from an appreciation of what you have rather than the desire for things you don't. I could sit here all day making wish list after wish list filled with fancy handbags, cute clothes and Disney tsum tsums I don't need and then cry myself to sleep because once again I'll be taking my £10 Primark backpack to work rather than my mush lusted after Mulberry dream bag. At the end of each week or month take some time to think about five things your thankful for. Share them on your blog or on twitter or just make a note of them in your journal or planner. We have so much to be thankful for - our home no matter how small, the NHS no matter how long we have to wait for an appointment and that delicious packet of Oreos we treat ourselves to after a bad day at work. You know that old saying, happiness is a journey, not a destination. It's okay if you're not 100% happy 100% of the time, some days I'm just grateful for Netflix but hey, that's okay.
I'll start here with 5 things from the Christmas period I'm grateful for:
-My family for making every Christmas special without fail
-The NHS paramedics that came to my rescue after I got hit by a car the week before Christmas
-My best friends who helped me with my last minute shopping by driving me around and carrying my bags
-Pigs in blankets
-Friends from afar who take time to send gifts and well wishes
-My family for making every Christmas special without fail
-The NHS paramedics that came to my rescue after I got hit by a car the week before Christmas
-My best friends who helped me with my last minute shopping by driving me around and carrying my bags
-Pigs in blankets
-Friends from afar who take time to send gifts and well wishes
What are your top tips for happiness? I'd love you to leave a comment saying what you're grateful for.
ox Lucy
ox Lucy
I loved this post :) I am grateful for my family and friends :) xxxx
ReplyDeleteZoe ♥ MammafulZo