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5 Habits for a Happier Life

5 Habits for a Happier Life

5 Habits for a Happier Life

In life, there are often so many ups and downs, sometimes it’s hard to keep up.

Your mood can change multiple times during your day; one minute you feel excited, the next you feel annoyed when something goes wrong.

I don’t believe that any of us can feel happy 100% of the time. That would probably be a bit boring.

There is, however, something in our habits, things we do on a daily basis that can make our lives more difficult and stressful, and some habits that can also bring us more happiness.

 

5 HABITS FOR A HAPPIER LIFE

5 Habits for a Happier Life

SAYING “NO” MORE OFTEN

This is one of the most important habits for a happier life. Saying “no” more often helps create boundaries and will help you understand that it’s completely okay to say “no”, even if you’re saying it to someone close. Saying “no” can help you express your feelings, goals, plans, and desires more clearly, in an open and honest way. It can help you find/create more time for doing the things you love, things that matter to you. Think of it as you, allowing yourself to do the things that you feel are best for… well, you.

Since we were kids, we’ve been told how important it is to be nice and polite, and that we should always listen to and obey those who are older or who hold an authority (teachers, grandparents, etc.) All of a sudden, saying “no” becomes a struggle and you, now an adult, end up doing things you don’t really feel like doing, just because you want to be nice. You then might feel like you’ve been taken advantage of, yet fail to realize that you agreed to do that “favor” for someone, in the first place. You only have yourself to blame.

You didn’t say “no.”

This is something that I struggled with when I was younger, and it took a toll on my relationships. I’d get talked into doing things I didn’t feel like doing because I just wouldn’t say “no” or, I’d end up doing favors for other people while missing out on finishing my own tasks. To avoid putting myself in those situations, I’d keep my distance, always used excuses for not wanting to meet with some of my friends. All because I just didn’t know how to say “no” to the people around me. I just wanted to be nice.

You don’t need to explain yourself.

Being more assertive can help you improve your relationships- and it’s not just about learning to say “no.” If you have friends, co-workers or family members always asking you for favors, trying to get you to do things you really don’t feel or like doing, constantly commenting on your life choices- it might be simply because you’ve never established any boundaries. You’ve been putting up with some of these things, simply because you wanted to be “nice” or liked. Once those boundaries are set in place and you’re being vocal about some of the things you are not willing to tolerate or put up with, you can focus on the relationship itself. This helps build healthier and stronger relationships, without feeling the need to avoid anyone. Remember: you don’t owe anyone an explanation.

SPENDING TIME ALONE

Solitude is an art of being alone, without being lonely. How do you feel when spending time in your own company? Silence and solitude, while at times intimidating, can help you see things more clearly and regain your focus. Spending time alone can help you heal, find creativity and clarity as well as reflect on things like your relationships, goals, plans, and needs.

Those of us who are highly sensitive tend to feel everything. There is so much noise surrounding us every single day. People throwing their own opinions at us, people judging or dumping their own emotions on us; sometimes even great relationships can become a little exhausting. Spending time alone is good for your soul. It’s not just about taking a break from being around others- it’s also about seeing and reflecting on your own behavior, habits, and actions.

EMBRACING CHANGE

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.” ~ Les Brown
Are you truly happy, or are you just “comfortable?” If you love your life the way it is and don’t want anything to change- that is great.

If, on the other hand, you dream of doing something different, of trying new things, growing and learning- remember that unless you go after what you want, those things are not likely to happen. Change doesn’t just “happen”- you have to make it happen. Those great things never come from comfort zones. If you want some things to change, you need to embrace some of that uncertainty, change, and you have to be willing to get uncomfortable.

GOING FOR IT

Start where you are, using what you already have. Remember: “tomorrow is a mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation, and achievement is stored.” No matter how long you wait, the timing will never be “right” and the longer you wait for things to “fall into place” so that you can pursue your goals, the more time you waste. Obstacles are what makes your goals worth pursuing and without them, your achievements wouldn’t feel… well, like achievements. Do not allow yourself to become your biggest obstacle.

You can spend the rest of your life waiting to start living. Or, you can feel the fear but go after your goals and dreams anyway. There are some things in life that you cannot learn by taking a class or reading a book; things that you can only learn by doing, seeking and growing through new experiences. It doesn’t matter if you are 20, 30, 40 or 50 years old- it is never too late to start looking, it is never too late to keep learning. 

REGULAR GRATITUDE PRACTICE

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was: “thank you,” that would suffice.” ~ Meister Eckhart
Where you are today doesn’t have to stop you from where you want to go. Don’t concern yourself with what everyone else is doing, don’t use your current circumstances as an excuse, make gratitude a part of your daily routine.

Your life is what you make it and if you spend most of your time focusing on and talking about things that didn’t go well, if you constantly complain- that is what your life will become. That will be all you notice; the bad, the negative, the stressful and frustrating parts of your life.

We get upset over so many small, insignificant things- we let those small things bother us, we let them get to us. In the meantime, there is so much to be grateful for. Gratitude is finding happiness through discovering what you already have. The more you pay attention to the “good” in your life, the more often you will notice it. Think about it: you can love, you can laugh, you can create, you can run, you can learn from your mistakes and grow through those difficult times. What one mindset perceives as an obstacle, another will see as an opportunity to grow and learn.

20 Comments

  • Reply
    Danielle Alexa
    September 1, 2018 at 11:56 am

    I love spending time alone, it can be so healthy!

    Danielle xx
    https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/

  • Reply
    Linda Libra Loca
    September 1, 2018 at 3:36 pm

    100% happy would be boring. I embrace all my feelings, the highs and the lows, and that helps me to go through the lows quicker and enjoy the highs more.
    I have always enjoyed time alone and with time learned to say no, which helped tremendously.

    Anne – Linda, Libra, Loca

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:48 pm

      Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks so! Embracing all your feelings and emotions can definitely help you get over those less than fun times, quicker.

  • Reply
    Nicky A
    September 1, 2018 at 5:16 pm

    I love your tips thank you for sharing them with us!

    Brooklyn Glam

  • Reply
    Rebecca | beautylifebecca
    September 1, 2018 at 5:46 pm

    These are really good tips. Ive been making an effort over these last few months to practice grattitude and I feel so much better for it. I always feel like I need to explain myself and thats something I really need to stop doing.

    http://www.beautylifebecca.co.uk

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:49 pm

      So happy to hear that, Rebecca! Gratitude can make such a big difference in the way we see things.

  • Reply
    Ellie | PetiteElliee
    September 2, 2018 at 4:24 am

    Looove these habits! I think so many of us are guilty of not saying ‘no’ enough

    http://www.petiteelliee.com

    Ellie xx

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:50 pm

      That is definitely the case- it’s something we should all try to work on. I find that it becomes much easier the older I get.

  • Reply
    Lisa Autumn
    September 2, 2018 at 4:51 am

    I am obsessed with your lifestyle posts girl!

    x Lisa | lisaautumn.com

  • Reply
    Diana
    September 2, 2018 at 7:01 am

    Saying No is so important!! I actually mentioned this the other day with another blogger. More often than not there are people who try to take advantage and mistake kindness for servitude and suck all the energy we have, good moments and so on. Saying no to those people and situations is half-way to the path of embracing good moments and new positive energies!

    And I couldn’t agree more, being grateful is really important in the path of happiness!
    Wishing you all the best,
    Randomlydi

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:52 pm

      Thank you so much, Diana. Saying “no” can definitely take out a ton of stress and frustration out of our lives. Not to mention that it can help us free up some time, too.

      Sending my love your way!

  • Reply
    Jodie
    September 2, 2018 at 12:28 pm

    I always feel like I have to explain myself and you’re completely right. You don’t have to. I certainly need to try and adopt that attitude more often so people stop trying to take advantage!

    Jodie // jodieloue.com

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:54 pm

      Hello there, Jodie, so nice to see you back! :) I think that learning to say “no” was one those things that has improved my life in a very big way- it definitely is a process to make it a habit.

  • Reply
    Lanae Bond
    September 3, 2018 at 9:49 am

    These are things I have been doing now and I do feel happier. Saying no was hard at first but I learned that I had to take care of myself.Thank you for sharing these tips because it can really help someone.

    • Reply
      Paula @ thirteenthoughts.com
      September 4, 2018 at 11:56 pm

      So happy to hear that these helped you feel better, Lanae! I think that most of the time a lot of the things that make us feel sad or unhappy can be changed by developing new, positive habits. x

  • Reply
    Natalie Redman
    September 5, 2018 at 12:16 pm

    Great advice! Saying no more often is definitely good for the soul!

    http://www.upyourvlog.com

  • Reply
    Julia Speaks
    September 5, 2018 at 1:24 pm

    Love this post Paula. We should always work on being happy, and we can always be a little happier. Going for it is so, so important! We should always start what we wish for right away. This is a great reminder! :)

    Julia x
    Last Post: The Best Tips for Curly Hair | http://juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.com/2018/09/beauty-best-tips-for-curly-hair.html

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