Girl talk Lifestyle

How to Feel Happy, Now

How to feel happy now

How to feel happy now

For a couple of years now, I’ve been trying my best to live a life as positive as possible. I always try to look at the bright side of life and follow my bliss, each and every single day.

Today, I want you to realize how magnificent and special you are.

I want you to be happy, full of life and inspiration. I want you to forgive yourself, I want you to love yourself, I want you to feel happy, every minute of every single day. Know, that you are meant to have an amazing, happy life.

HOW TO FEEL HAPPY, NOW

How to Feel Happy Now

1. Have a grateful heart

Gratitude is the fastest way to change your life. Be grateful for all the beautiful things in life, the things that make your life easier. Be grateful for your health, your family, all the way to down to things like running water. When you pay attention to all the good things in your life and feel truly grateful for them, you notice more and more things that make your life beautiful and fun. You can’t be ungrateful and expect your life to change for the better. Appreciate all the good things and people in your life and always make sure to return the kindness that comes your way.

2. Learn something new, as often as possible

I find a great pleasure in learning new things. Having suffered from anxiety means that I’ve lived somewhat of a “sheltered” life for a long while. I didn’t like trying new things, I didn’t like facing any challenges, I didn’t like leaving my comfort zone (it’s so warm and cozy in there) and frankly, I didn’t even like leaving my house. You are never too old to learn something new, it’s never too late.

Be a lifelong learner.

It can be anything from a new language, cooking, photography, sport, reading- anything that you think you might like. Try learning something new and see if it makes you feel happier and fulfilled (and trust me, it will).


3. De-clutter

This goes both for things like tidying up your room/office/house and your mind. Identify the things in your life that don’t serve you, and eliminate them. This will create more room and time for happiness, for doing the things you love. Create more time for appreciating every little thing in your life like spending time with your child, having dinner with your loved one, enjoying your morning tea, etc. The same goes for tackling all the clutter in your space. Clean up your closet, your kitchen cabinets or your office desk.

Get rid of everything you no longer need- a lot of this “stuff” can always be re-purposed, donated or recycled. I feel great every time after I clean up all the papers that have been piling up on my desk, or after cleaning up my closet and donating old clothes that I no longer need. I always feel incredibly relaxed, happy and organized after my de-cluttering sessions (which I do often, because, unfortunately, I do have some hoarding tendencies… :D  ).

4. Be present

If you are depressed, you’re living in the past, if you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are peaceful, you’re living in the present.
A lot of us, if not most of us, spend most of our time worrying and wondering about our future or regretting our past. As cliché as it may come across, only when you live for the moment, is when you can experience true happiness. If you think about it, THIS moment, THIS moment right here is never going to repeat itself. You can never go back on “now”, your “now” will always be here and now, in the present. Whether you’re reading your favorite book, drinking your morning coffee, spending time with your loved ones; do your best to be 100% present. Notice every smile, taste every single bite, feel every breath, every step, every kiss.

5. Surround yourself with people who lift you higher

Gossip, complaining, nagging and negative thinking- these are things that we all do from time to time. Before I came across books like The Power or Spirit Junkie, things like that didn’t bother me. When it was time to get together with friends, it usually meant that we’d sit together, complain about our lives a little bit and maybe share some fresh gossip. Now, I cannot stand being around negative people and guess what? I’m a much, much happier person right now. Your life is your story, that’s why you should edit it as often as you’d like.

You don’t have to feel guilty about cutting someone out of your life if they are a negative influence. It may not always be easy, but trust me, it can be life-changing. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself, with people who smile a lot and laugh often, people who chose to see the good in others. At the same time, make sure that you, yourself, are the type of person you’d like to be around. If there are some people in your life who aren’t exactly a positive influence but there’s no possible way for you to avoid being around them, make sure that you don’t get sucked in their negativity. If you see them talk about something negative, try to turn the conversation around into something positive.

6. Exercise

When I have a stressful day at work, the last thing I usually want to do is go through an intense workout session. But it’s on those days when I push myself a little harder, it’s on those days when I go a little further because once I do complete that workout and I’m lying on the floor, dripping in sweat, I feel 100 times better. I love what I do, but that doesn’t mean that my work doesn’t get stressful at times. You cannot let things you can’t control get to you and go through those intense workouts is what really releases that stress, it pumps up your endorphins which are your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters and instantly improves your mood. If sweat-drenching workout sessions are not your thing, go for a run or a brisk walk.

7. Learn to let go

Pretty much every single one of us has been hurt in the past. Whether it be a person or a series of unfortunate events, some of us hold a grudge against something or someone. If you want to be happy, you need to learn how to let go. You need to learn to forgive. One of the things that have really changed my life was forgiveness. I’m not only talking about forgiving others but also about forgiving myself. I’ve been putting myself down for years, never believing in myself, living in constant doubt. Years ago, I was sitting in my room, going through a very rough time in my life, I looked out the window, I felt the sun beaming at me, emotionally drained I blurred out “I forgive myself” I kept saying it out loud, until I started crying and then felt an enormous amount of weight being lifted off my chest. Ever since then, it sort of became my mantra.

A lot of times we’re being way too hard on ourselves and don’t give ourselves enough love and credit for all that we do. Learn how to let go of those limiting thoughts, learn how to forgive others, but also yourself. Let go and move on.


8. Be still

Muddy water, let stand, becomes clear.”- Lao Tzu
One of very easy ways to feel happier, right this moment, is learning how to be still. Listen to your thoughts, feel yourself breathing. You run around all day, working, taking care of others, trying to meet the deadlines, making sure all your chores are done. For a few minutes a day, try being still. Try not to think about what else needs to get done. When you feel like your life is going by too fast, each day not much different from the other, just take a minute and be still, peaceful. When you start feeling angry or frustrated, stressed, just take a moment to be still.

A lot of times when you’re feeling angry or stressed you can find yourself taking that anger out on others, often saying or doing things you don’t truly mean. Take a minute to relax and just breathe, let go of all the stress and slow down; be present, be still.

23 Comments

  • Reply
    Chaste and Beautiful
    August 28, 2015 at 10:41 am

    I totally agree on that de cluttering part and going out always make my mood much happier. Great tips and pictures:)

    http://themeticulousperfections.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Lara
    August 28, 2015 at 11:03 am

    What an amazing post, usually you just forget about th kind of stuff so I thank you for reminding me. I really love your blog:)

    http://larajemec.blogspot.com/

  • Reply
    Teresa Melendez
    August 28, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    Awesome reminder on how gratefulness really changes our perspective!!

  • Reply
    Nereyda Gonzalez
    August 28, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Saw one of your posts on the blogovin blog, congrats!
    I love all of these, I went back to the gym after three months this week and I forget how great it makes me feel. Even if I feel I’m gonna die while I’m there :)

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      August 28, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      Oh no way, really? I know I’ve been getting tons of traffic from bloglovin but I don’t see my post featured on their blog. Do you have a link by any chance?

      I’m the same way whenever I stop working out for some reason and then I start again, I always ask myself “why did you stop? this feels so freaking good!” haha :)

  • Reply
    girl in the pjs
    August 28, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    Exercise and de-cluttering are so important. I find I get really cranky and off if I haven’t exercised, same goes for when the house is cluttered. Decluttering helps you breathe again and not feel so anxious everytime you come home. Great tips

    http://girlinthepjs.blogspot.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      August 30, 2015 at 9:22 am

      Thanks Alli! I can’t concentrate on anything when my house is messy, plus I find de-cluttering and cleaning very relaxing :)

  • Reply
    phoebe davies
    August 29, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Loved this post :) Very motivating x

    Phoebe | Phoebe’s Diaries

  • Reply
    Sadie
    August 29, 2015 at 4:18 pm

    Love this post! Just what I need right now and a lot of these I have just started to do, so nice to read this to keep me motivated and on track :) xx

    eat-sleep-breathe-fashion.blogspot.co.uk

  • Reply
    thriftylilpixie
    August 29, 2015 at 6:14 pm

    Great tips, decluttering and running really work for me!

    thriftylilpixie.com

  • Reply
    Pippa
    August 30, 2015 at 2:59 pm

    Love the quote for number 4. Perfect, thanks :)

    Pippa | LittleLifestyle

  • Reply
    Joana
    August 31, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Thank you so much for writing these tips, Paula! I totally agree with everything you said but I still need to work on number 4, 6 and 8. I’ve been worrying quite a lot about the future and that quote you shared was what I needed to hear! It’s good to just focus in the present, do things we love and hopefully everything will work out at the end :) x

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 1, 2015 at 2:38 pm

      You’re welcome hun! I think we all struggle with all of these points sometimes :) Worrying about future used to drive me crazy! Staying in the moment is definitely a way to a happier life :)

  • Reply
    Dasha
    September 5, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    I agree on every single one! GREAT post!)

    coffeetalkwithdasha.blogspot.com

  • Reply
    Frenchy
    November 12, 2015 at 4:51 am

    What a great post! This is something I’m definitely going to be making note of and using in the future, thank you :)

    Frenchy xx
    My blog – http://www.frenchysfancies.com

  • Reply
    EmmaLeigh Rollason
    September 29, 2016 at 3:30 am

    This is a great post. I’m normally a happy person but this year has been challenging and your post has really made me think where I need to work on to be able to find my happy again. Xx

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