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Happy Life
Is there one definition for living a happy life? I don’t think so. If 5 different people were asked what they thought a happy life was there would be 5 different answers. Get your worksheet to follow along here.
Definition of Happy
The Oxford Dictionary’s definition of happy is: Feeling or showing pleasure.
There are so many ways to feel or show pleasure that each person’s definition is different. If you were to go out and study an individual person you would notice that they might be doing something that you think is boring. Take notice if they look happy or not. Do this a couple of times and just sit and think about it a bit. What do you think makes them happy doing what they are doing? Maybe go a little further and talk to them. Find out what their definition of a happy life is.
I’m not a therapist these suggestions are what help me to achieve living a happy life.
My observations of 2 different people were one of my neighbors. He has a large workshop outside, is retired, and is out working in his workshop almost daily. Just tinkering around. When we talk he talks about things he has made or is making. His definition of a happy/ simple life is working with his hands and creating. This helps him not focus on the stressful things in life.
Another observation was that someone gets up most mornings gets ready for work and heads to her job. She loves her job and would go to work every day if she could. It makes her happy. Doing what you love and focusing on it helps rid your life of the negatives.
Maybe one of these scenarios is your definition. It’s okay if they aren’t. Keep reading and fill out the worksheet to find out your “Happy Life” definition.
Your Definition of a Happy Life
The title of this blog post is “Living a Happy Life”. I can’t tell you what your happy life is but I will help with ways of achieving it.
The first thing I will ask you to do is write down your definition of a happy life before you go any further in this post. I have made a worksheet that you can download here. There will be more questions on it that go along with this post also.
Feel More Positive
Feeling more positive is a way to happiness. Make sure you reduce the negativity in your life. If a person sees a negative in everything around them it will be hard to find happiness. If you focus on the negative try to come up with a positive about what you are experiencing. There is likely a positive in it if you look. If you can’t find a positive find away to let it go. Stop expecting the worst. Make sure you surround yourself with some positives like uplifting music, positive friends stay away from your negative ones, a good book, listen to a comedy podcast or watch a funny sitcom.
Set Some Goals
Goal setting is another way to reach a happy life. Make sure they are attainable. If you set goals that are hard or set to many you could be setting yourself up for failure. It’s okay to challenge yourself just make sure they are doable. For example if you want to go climb a mountain but you haven’t been hiking for awhile set small goals first to achieve the bigger goal. On the worksheet you downloaded there is a space to write down 3 goals.
Reduce Stress
Reducing stress is another way to get happy. I know there is a lot of stress in our lives right now. There are ways to limit that stress. This blog is about living a simple life +happy life. Which is living a happy life. If you look at the menu you will see some pages on Clutter Free, DIY, Food, and Home Decor all of these lead to ways of living a stress free life.
Like the article on Decluttering will help your house be clutter free which helps your mind be less stressed.
Also if you have a family adding the stress of all of their needs on top of yours can be overstressing. One way to help with that is by setting up a routine for everyone in your household. Another way to help with stress is meal planning with easy meals. Check out my recipes. They are all easy and quick.
Destressing your home will help you handle the outside stresses that you can’t control.
What stresses do you have in your life? Take a good look around or think about what your normal day is like and write down on the worksheet what stresses you out.
What You Have
This is one that is overlooked a lot. Make sure that your focus is on what you have not what you want. Most of us could list at least 10 things that we want. You probably focus on that more than you think. Write down on the worksheet at least 3 items that you want. Now look at them and really think about them. How will they make you happy? What are the negatives of getting it?
If you think having that yellow sports car will make you happy. It might but for how long. A new model will come out in a year and you will want that one instead. It’s nice to have but think about the payment that comes with it. Are you going to have to work more hours just to pay for it? That 5 year old car in the driveway that doesn’t have any payment looks better, doesn’t it? There are ways to enjoy that car just as much as a new car that doesn’t put the stress of a high payment. Like maybe a new paint job or maybe just cleaning it up a bit. It costs some money but not as much as a new car.
Same with a house there are ways to improve your house without buying a new one. Here in this article, it will guide you to a better home without moving.
Problems
Problems arise out of nowhere. They have a way of showing up when it is least expected. Many times things happen that are out of our hands. How we look at a problem can change it. The question is how can we change the problem into an opportunity? For example, this one we all are dealing with Quarantine. Each one of us is being affected by it differently and we are all handling it in different ways. Let’s look at it as an opportunity. Find a way to turn it around for the good.
If you have gotten furloughed use it as a time to do something you have been wanting to do that you haven’t had time to do. Maybe even if you’re wondering if you are going to have a job once this is all over take this time to take classes on the web to get more knowledge. This is a great way to expand your resume. Speaking of the resume maybe even update it. The internet is a great place to take inexpensive classes or maybe even free right now. Also find tips on improving your resume too.
Enjoy yourself
The most important on this page is to make sure you enjoy yourself. It doesn’t matter what others think. If you are enjoying yourself then that is what makes you happy. Don’t let someone tell you what makes you happy. Your friend enjoys going shopping and tells you it’s a destresser but it stresses you out don’t go. If you would rather go for a walk do that. Write down what it is you like doing for fun.
Value
What is it you value in life? I’m not asking what you have of value. I am asking what it is that you value most. Is it your faith, friendships, independence, volunteering, or family? Think about it and write it down on the worksheet.
Take a Look Back
Now look back at your worksheet and see if your definition of Living A Happy Life is still the same. It might have changed or maybe it didn’t. There is no wrong or right way to answer the question. It’s what makes you happy. Writing it all down and figuring out how to attain it is the first step to making your life a happy one.
It’s your life start weaving it in the direction you want it to go.
Check out the rest of The Life We Weave. There are many ideas and ways to help you on your way.
Summary to a Happy Life
- Be Positive
- Set Goals
- Reduce Stress
- Enjoy What You Have
- Problems to Opportunity
- Enjoy Yourself
- What Do You Value Most
