Do you ever feel stuck in negativity? Or are you one of those happy-go-lucky types who see the silver lining in every situation? If you’re in the latter category, high five to you, friend!
When I find myself stuck in a rut, I reach for a dose of gratitude. I try to focus on the simple things in my life that bring me joy, like the feeling of freshly dried towels or a hug from my husband.
Whatever happiness is to you, these ten strategies are sure to inspire greater happiness and well-being starting today!
See the light in people
People may do things which frustrate, hurt or anger you, or they may have nothing in common with you at all, but you can choose to see beyond these external factors and focus on the common humanity and mortality you both share. You are both souls in human bodies trying to navigate the world at this point in time in the best way you know how. Strive to accept and forgive other people whenever you can.
Be led by joy, not fear
So many people make decisions based on their fears, rather than following their intuition, interests, and passions. You are a once-in-a-humankind combination of talents and quirks and there will never again be anyone like you. When you make decisions based on what you enjoy and what feels right with your soul, you light up and the whole world benefits.
Open your mind to new possibilities and leave room for surprises
So much can happen in a single day, you could meet the right person, stumble across a new opportunity, come up with a life-changing idea, move jobs, move houses or move countries.
While it’s worthwhile clarifying your desires and making plans, keep a little room in your heart and mind for the unexpected, things might not go to plan, and that might be the best possible outcome.
Give up the word ‘should’
So much of our unhappiness stems from feeling like we are not living up to the standard definition of success, the status quo, media standards, and expectations or that life and other people are not living up to our expectations of how things should be. If we let go of preconceived notions about what we should be doing with our lives, and give up our rigid expectations of how other people should act, we will instantly become freer and happier.
Let your emotions be your guide, but not your identity
When people experience strong negative emotions like anger, jealousy or pain, they usually do one of two things, bury their emotions deep in their subconscious, or get so caught up in their emotions that they are consumed by them and adopt them as part of their ongoing identity.
Neither choice is healthy, instead, when a strong negative emotion arises, learn to observe the feeling (the act of observation immediately disassociates you from the emotion) and ask yourself what it is trying to teach you. Do you need to work on yourself and grow into a more resilient and peaceful person, or do you need to make crucial changes to your life situation?
Speak and think in positive terms
The world is a reflection of your dominant beliefs. If you constantly focus on and complain about your problems, struggles, and worries, you will perpetuate the same circumstances over and over again. If you start to shift your focus towards the more positive aspects of your life and all of the things that could go right, you will immediately start to experience more good fortune and positive outcomes.
Don’t mistake making a living with making a life
Take a good look at your life in all areas, are you making time for loved ones, friendships, health and wellbeing, travel, self-growth, fun and joy outside of work? If your answer is no, you may need to reassess your priorities and set new boundaries to create a fulfilling and sustainable life balance.
Decide to accept yourself no matter what
Love yourself on the good days, and love yourself on the bad days too. Love yourself when things go to plan, you light up the room, and kick all of your goals, and love yourself when you make mistakes, succumb to bad habits, and let your fears get the better of you. Unconditional self-love gives you the strength and courage to try new things and go after your dreams because you know that no matter what the outcome, you will still love and accept yourself regardless.
Redefine your definition of failure
What if, instead of seeing it as a failure when we give something a go and it doesn’t work out, we see it as a victory that we tried in the first place? Perhaps the word failure would be more aptly used in situations where we don’t attempt things at all because we’re ruled by fear, self-doubt and the lure of mediocracy.
You didn’t fail when you went on a date and it didn’t work out, you succeeded in putting yourself out there in the world where true love is found. You didn’t fail when you went for an interview and didn’t get offered the job, you successfully make a worthwhile attempt to improve your circumstances and you gained vital lessons from the experience. Apply this new way of thinking about everything in your life.
Treat every day as a beautiful gift
Hands up if you countdown the days until Friday? We’re wishing away more than half of our week while simultaneously lamenting that ‘life is too short’. We’re saving our favorite things for ‘a special occasion’ which automatically sends a message to our mind that today will be ordinary.
Make it a habit to wake up with an appreciation for the brand new day you’ve been given, a new amazing opportunity to experience life, grow, eat, laugh, give, explore, dance, dream, create and discover what it feels like to be you.
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