The secrets of being happy!

There are so many books out there giving us all the magic formula of how to be happy, but what if you have tried it and it failed, does that mean that you cannot be happy? NO, it means that you haven’t found the formula that fits you, and maybe there isn’t just one formula that fits you, that you need to take parts of different ones and stick them all together. Then what if the formula you have tried and tested just isn’t working this time then what.

That is a lot of questions in an opening paragraph and I am sure you are wondering where this is really going. I believe everyone wants to be happy they just may have been wearing the wrong size shoe to take it on or are scared of what then if they do become happy.

So here are my steps to be happy for now, take them as they are or change them to suit you, if everything was black and white we wouldn’t have rainbows.

1. Simply smile, for 2 reasons, one, it impacts others making them then smile at us, and two, when you smile it naturally makes you feel better and more relaxed.
2. Spend time with positive people, this can help by making you feel happier, can you remember the last time you laughed so hard you cried, whoever enabled this is the person you need to spend more time with. If spending time with people is too much choose an animal, personally I think dogs give out so much love and positive energy.
3. Spend time outside, in nature, Linked with number two, I get such peace and joy sitting in a park, music in my ears or listening to everything around me and seeing others interact with each other.
4. Keep a journal, it can be a process journal to get your thoughts out of your head or a gratification journal where you write down the things each day you are grateful at that time. I got a great one this year that asks me a question each day and lasts for 4 years, it has really got me thinking.
5. Forgive, not others for wrongs that have happened but yourself for the mistakes that you may have made and let them go.
6. Have no regrets, I live by no regrets, yes I mess up, a lot, but each and every mess up brings me to who I am and who I am meant to be today.
7. Music, without music I would be lost, I listen to music all the time as it helps to balance out my overthinking mind and no matter what the music is that you choose it can help you feel a sense of calm.
8. Use your time intentionally, this one I even struggle with, it is so easy to not focus on one task at a time, or get distracted by social media or whatever else is around us. But I always feel so much better when I focus on one thing at a time and apply this time effectively.
9. Do one small thing each day that brings you joy. It can be 10 minutes sitting and having a cup of tea or just not doing anything for 5 minutes whatever it is make sure it gives you guilt free joy.
10. Eat well, it doesn’t always have to be healthy but it is true that once we feel good on the inside we feel good on the outside.
11. The final thing that gives me happiness is giving to others. I enjoy volunteering and having a purpose in the community and this gives me a lot of motivation to do what I do.

This is my list for now, tomorrow I might feel different and add or take away points, the main thing is that happiness can be a series of moments that give us joy, no one is consistently happy, we need to feel all emotions. You need to make yourself your number one cheerleader and find your own strengths by spending time with yourself to unleash the true secret of your own happiness.

You got this, this is just your starting point!