If your idea of happiness lies somewhere in the distant future, like going on a holiday, owning material objects, getting a job promotion, or buying a new car – then how do you experience day to day happiness until you get there? Here are some tips on how to be happy – today!
I recently discovered the formula for happiness. It took me years to figure it out. Getting diagnosed with diabetes certainly helped me make this discovery, but I believe I was already on track. Are you ready to hear it? Ok, here it is…
If it makes you happy – do it.
If it doesn’t – don’t.
…It really is as simple as that!
Shift Your Mindset
I used to find myself doing things in life that didn’t make me happy. They were things that were very common but they just didn’t seem normal or natural for me. Things like drinking alcohol, going to nightclubs, eating unhealthy food or food that made me feel terrible (both physically and psychologically), waking up late and missing the best part of the day, struggling through a hangover, and surrounding myself with negativity. The list goes on. Now I’m not saying that those things breed unhappiness for everyone. If they genuinely make you happy then go right ahead and do them. All I know is, for me, they are the recipe for feeling like absolute s**t.
It’s very common for people to go to work from nine to five, five days a week, with a mindset that the weekend cannot come around soon enough. By spending the majority of your week wishing you were somewhere else, you’re allowing so many special moments slip away. Working hard and having fun doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.
Diabetes has taught me many valuable lessons that I take with me every day, but this particular one stands out among the rest:
“Nothing is guaranteed in the future, but the one thing that is guaranteed is this moment right here, right now – so start living in it!”
Being happy in life is not about where we end up or what we achieve in twenty years time, it’s about where we are today and what we can achieve right now. By being your best in the present moment, you will inevitably reach that future goal regardless of how far ahead you plan.
“I’ll Be Happy When…”
How many times have you said that to yourself? “I’ll be happy when I’m in Europe for the summer”. “I’ll be happy when I finally buy the convertible sports car I’ve always wanted”. Perhaps this is the reason that you’re not happy today.
Now I’m certainly not saying that you shouldn’t ever look forward to anything. Setting goals and planning ahead are important strategies to achieve success however they shouldn’t stop you from feeling happy on the way to reaching it. Of course, working hard to go on holiday or buy a new car are joyful experiences, but what happens when the holiday is over, or you own the car you’ve always wanted, do you go back to being unhappy? My point is, if you recalibrate your perception of happiness, you’ll be surprised how often you can experience it every day.
How To Be Happy Today
Nowadays my mantra is so simple, yet so satisfying. I surround myself with positive people who I love, friends and family that enrich my life, I don’t drink any poisons, I don’t step foot into nightclubs, I eat in a healthy balanced way that makes me feel incredible, I exercise every day for the genuine love of it, I go to bed at a normal hour and wake up to a sunrise, I spend time in nature, I swim in the ocean every morning, and I’m not afraid to be the nerdy guy at the cafe doing a crossword and drinking a cup of tea.
If you’re able to find happiness in the little things in life, like a morning swim, a cup of coffee, a healthy meal, a workout, listening to music, hugging someone you love, playing with your dog, feeling the sun on your skin and walking outdoors in the fresh air – then you will be guaranteed happiness every day of your life! These are activities of daily living that we so often take for granted and overlook, even though they make up the bulk of our time on this planet.
Stop wishing your week away just because you have plans for the weekend. Before you know it, days, weeks and years will have passed you by. When you go off to work tomorrow try and find enjoyment in all the small stuff that makes up the bulk of your day. Every single day is made up of so many moments – be mindful, aware, and present to make the most of them.
“Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you’ll look back and realise they were the big things.”
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