AD. I'm another year older now and hopefully another year wiser. I've learnt a lot in my thirty years and wanted to expand on that with todays post. Here's 10 things you need to start doing to live a happier life.
How to live a happier life.
1. Allowing yourself to dream.
I'm the Queen of self doubt. It drives my husband wild! Believing in yourself and trusting your gut enough to take a chance on yourself can be the hardest yet most rewarding thing. I took the plunge at the beginning of the year taking my blog freelance. That was my dream! It's been highly advantageous not only for myself, but for my family too. Allowing myself to dream and being able to take a chance on myself has even spurred me on to co-author a book, something past Claire would never have believed possible!
2. Live in the present.
Living in the present can be quite difficult nowadays. The pressures of social media make it almost impossible. According to Jake Smolarek, London's Best Life and Business Coach, one essential step to living your best life is learning to separate the two. As a blogger I feel the pressure to be online all of the time, when in reality, we need to take breaks, we need to rest and recharge. We need to live in the present in order to live a happier life.
3. Stop running.
I'm very big on owning my mistakes. To me there's nothing worse than beating around the bush, making excuses or running away from problems. I'm a 'lets face this head on' type of person when it comes to problem solving. The ability to nip something in the bud can instantly make you live a happier life. There's nothing worse than holding a grudge and having negative feelings festering up inside you. Life's too short!
4. Take one step at a time.
I used to be that person who would set the most unrealistic of goals. These goals would almost never be met and I'd be left feeling discouraged, unmotivated and would fall back into a slump. By taking one step at a time and setting small, manageable goals you'll reach those big goals in no time!
5. Prioritise your happiness.
I'm a pretty selfless person, I always have been, but I definitely prioritised other peoples happiness over my own in the past. I'm a people pleaser and still am to some extent, however I really feel that something you need to start doing for yourself is being a little bit selfish... Just enough so that the balance is right!
6. Spend time outdoors.
Mother nature really is a wonderful thing. I think even if you're not the outdoorsy type (I'm not talking scaling Ben Nevis here) spending time outdoors can impact your happiness massively. There's something about connecting with nature that instantly puts things into perspective for me... Even more so on solo walks. I don't get many of those these days, but boy oh boy, I love a good solo walk; Just me, myself & my thoughts. If walking isn't your thing and you're looking for something more relaxing, spending the day in a hammock or lounging on outdoor furniture can be really beneficial. Reading a book (and maybe enjoying a glass of fizz) on a hammock between two trees or a beautiful hammock stand would definitely cheer me up.
7. Get comfortable with who you are.
Being comfortable with who you are is something I'm so passionate about! For decades I was held back by my shyness and the inability to shine. Now I understand that it isn't the loudest voice in the room that can make the biggest impact. Although my confidence has grown tenfold, I'm still a relatively introverted person, and I'm okay with that. What I once saw as my biggest flaw no longer bothers me. I'm comfortable with who I am and owning every part of it.
8. Make life simpler.
If the pandemic has taught me anything it's to make life simpler. I've especially learnt this as a parent during lockdown. You don't have to do it all and you most certainly don't have to keep up with appearances. Go at your own pace, make life simpler and build the life you want to live!
9. Learn to say no.
Learning so say no goes hand in hand with the people pleasing thing. It's okay to say no to something if you don't want to do it. Its also okay to say no to something and not feel like you need to give a ten page excuse of your reasoning.
10. Voice your thoughts.
For years my severe shyness left me unable to voice my thoughts. I was the opinionless girl with no feelings and no personality. Being able to voice your thoughts will not only show others what type of person you are, but it'll also make you feel a hell of a lot better too!
There's 10 things you need to start doing for yourself to live a happier life. Obviously I'm not a life coach, life guru, whatever you want to call it. I'm just your regular gal hoping to spread a bit of positivity and offer those a chance for reflection. I've changed a lot about my life over the last few years, in particular my mindset and I really feel like I'm the happiest I've ever been. These are just a few ways I've added happiness to my life.
Which of the ten pointers resonates with you most?
Great tips, especially the one about getting comfortable with who you are. I think once you start doing that the rest are Juan easier to accomplish.
Absolutely. I think it's a pretty difficult thing to achieve, but once you've got it, it's so comforting. X
Lovely tips. My favourite is not making silly plans. The pandemic showed me that the best laid plans can be taken away in an instant and not to sweat the small stuff. I am trying to live in the present and stop and smell the roses more and more!
Rosie
100%!! Such a good way to look at things! X
Great post! These are a few great steps to a happier, healthier life. I like the idea of not running, and learning to say no is so important x
It really is, isn't it! X
Hi Claire,
Some excellent tips for a happier life - something that we should all aim for.
I was pleased to read your comment about "I’m a ‘lets face this head on’ type of person when it comes to problem solving.". You typically find in business that there are one of two approaches to problems:
1. How do we fix it?, or
2. Who do we blame for it?
If you work somewhere where there are all type 1s then you've struck lucky. I remember one place where I worked a colleague said "Keep your head down, [Boss name] is having a blame-storming session." Thinking that I'd misheard I said "You mean 'brain-storming', don't you?". "You'll learn!" he replied. Sure enough, that particular boss was very much a type 2! 😉
Yupp! I think that's so true. I'm very much point no.1. I think blaming people gets you nowhere, you're only going to have to solve the problem eventually. It must be awful having a boss who's a no.2! X
I love these tips for a happier life, learning how to say no is something I have learnt over time and I've been a lot happier because of it! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I'm the exact same. I used to be such a people pleaser. I still am to some extent, but learning to say no (and not giving an excuse) has been a game changer for me. X
They're such wonderful suggestions - in a weird way the last year has helped so much with saying no more and doing more things to make me happier! xx
Yeah, I think I'm the same tbh. It's funny isn't it the positives you can take from the last year. X
Happy Belated Birthday, Claire! I hope you had a lovely day. I love your point about making life simpler. When you're a young adult, life is so hard and complicated! I wish I could tell my younger self this haha x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Thank you so much my love! I'm very much a simple, easy going kind of gal & i think I'm made happier because of it. I'd love to have a word with my younger self. Haha. X
Prioritising your happiness is so important and still something we are guilty of not doing more often!
100% agree with live in the present, to often we get so hung up on the past and it cusses more issues.