Happier Life—have you ever felt confused?

I once believed that earning a college degree with high academic standing would bring me contentment. I thought that travelling the world would make me feel fulfilled. I assumed that relocating abroad and securing a great job would lead to true happiness.

To a certain extent, they all did. There was usually an expiration date on them.

At last, I had to pause and ask myself, “Will I ever be truly happy if I can not be happy now?” Would more really be the solution if I could not appreciate what I already had in my life?

No.

Then I reasoned, “Why not take a shortcut and get straight to bliss if that is what I want?”

So I did. I no longer put it on hold. I stopped letting the outside world control my emotions. Additionally, I ceased depending on fictitious places that promised ecstasy and contentment.

I came to the realization that happiness is a conscious decision rather than an accident. With the correct habits, anyone can learn this skill.

19 Happiness Habits That Could Change Your Life

1. Appreciate more.

I was grateful to my mom for being the rock in my life, my amazing friends, and my bed when I woke up this morning. Happiness is nourished by appreciation. It draws attention to and values the things that are important in our lives. Additionally, you will find more reasons to be grateful the more you show gratitude.

Remind yourself of three things you currently value in your life as you wake up and go to sleep.

2. Energize yourself every morning.

The tone of the day is established in the morning. You feel focused, invigorated, and prepared to take on the world after a successful morning ritual.

Before you leave the house, try yoga, meditation, making a list of all the things you enjoy, watching motivational YouTube videos, or listening to your favorite music. Just prepare yourself for a fantastic day!

3. Practice acceptance.

Not everything goes according to plan. When plans changed or the bus was late, I used to get irritated. However, resisting only made things worse; it did not make any difference. I saved myself needless pain when I began to accept whatever had transpired.

Put acceptance into practice. Adapt to the new circumstances without adding to them with negative feelings.

4. Live in the present.

The present is where it all takes place. You can not find happiness—or anything else, for that matter—anywhere else. It is the only location worth visiting. Although it may seem apparent, for me, realizing this changed my life. I feel better, think better, and behave better now.

Use your five senses—sight, touch, smell, taste, and sound—to become more present whenever you are in a new environment.

5. Listen attentively.

Pay attention and listen with empathy. Give others your undivided attention as a gift. This is a potent source of joy because it brings you into the present moment and forges close relationships with others.

Make the decision to be more present in all of your conversations, whether they be with a spouse, coworker, or a total stranger on the street.

6. Save money to invest in memories.

Our long-term happiness comes from experiences rather than material possessions. I have not really purchased anything new in the last year. I have traveled with that money instead. I get a ridiculously large smile just thinking about that event in Ibiza, those bright days in Central Park, and the beach parties in the Caribbean.

Purchase only anything that you absolutely need or are completely enamored with. Then, spend that additional cash on experiences that will return to you with a “Aaah,” “Ohhh,” and “Wow.”

7. Make new friends.

After the age of twenty, many of us stop forming friendships. You will experience new things, develop as a person, and have a vibrant social life if you make new acquaintances.

You might make a new buddy if you strike up a polite discussion with a stranger. It could be for a lifetime or just five minutes.

8. Dream big.

Dreams are beneficial because they help us evolve. They offer us a cause to live, excite our hearts, and stimulate our minds. Give yourself permission to have great dreams and have faith that they will come true.

Set aside at least five minutes each day to immerse yourself in your ideal existence. Make it as real as you can by imagining and generating the sensations of being, doing, and possessing all you desire.

9. Take steps toward your dream.

Does your current situation resemble the future you envision? If not, devote more time and effort to the things you like to see flourish.

To go closer to your goals, take tiny actions each day. Little things build up.

10. Develop a mindset of abundance, not scarcity.

Our perspective of the world is the only factor that determines how we experience it. Living in poverty makes you hoard and protect. Giving away lets others know that you have plenty for yourself.

Do you think you do not receive enough love? Love someone else. Do you think your income is insufficient? Help someone else in need by giving them money.

11. Take time to re-charge.

We need time to recharge, despite the fact that our society encourages us to do, be, give, and own more. We must provide energy for ourselves. Why not take a power sleep during your brief breaks?

Make careful to account for downtime because without it, things rarely get done.

12. Make time to play.

It is not an obligation to live. You did not come here to finish a to-do list or to fix something broken. You came to enjoy yourself, to experience the thrill and wonder of life.

Make time for enjoyment non-negotiable and set aside at least fifteen minutes each day.

13. Be around happy people.

Attitudes spread easily. You will most likely smile if someone is grinning at you. You will most likely return rudeness if someone is disrespectful to you. Spend your time with people whose attitudes you wish to emulate.

If there are not any happy people around, watch videos of people with amazing attitudes online, including Marie Forleo, Tony Robbins, and Regena Thomashauer (Mama Gena).

14. Move slowly.

“Nature does not haste, yet everything is completed,” according to Lao Tzu. Better does not equate to faster. Being busier does not equate to surpassing. Take your time in life.

Reduce your speed. Give what you are doing your all, and you should only think about that.

15. Actively soothe yourself.

The way we choose to respond to the events in our lives is more important than the events themselves. We must protect ourselves against bad thoughts and become our own lifeguard in order to make better decisions.

I usually compose a list of all the things I love about my life, go running, or meditate when I am feeling down. Try a variety of methods until you discover those that suit you.

16. Let go.

Although it is not always easy, letting go is the only way for better and new things to happen. We get peace of mind when we let go of things. Now that the battle is done, fresh viewpoints and ideas can start to emerge.

Try to let rid of things that do not help you, such whining, comparing yourself to other people, negativity, past mistakes, and future anxieties.

17. Forgive often.

It is possible that someone forgot to call you back, was late, or was unpleasant. Forgiveness releases you from bad behavior, not excuses it. It lets go of bitterness and other unpleasant feelings associated with a person or circumstance.

Develop the practice of forgiving others, even for the smallest transgressions.

18. Attend to the real world.

The world of social media is continuously vying for our attention via laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Our real lives are meant to be enhanced by the digital world, not the other way around.

The Facebook status update can wait; instead, spend some time being physically present where you are.

19. Care for yourself.

Our soul, body, and mind are intertwined. If you alter one of them, all three will change as well. That is good to know, is not it?

Engage in daily activities that enhance your general well-being, including cooking a healthy meal, working out, or viewing a nice film. Recognize that taking care of oneself is also taking care of the world.

Claim Your Happiness Once And For All

It is annoying not to be in control of your happiness. Relying on outside events and situations to make you feel good is a surefire way to end up unhappy. Because our happiness suffers when things do not work out or when life does not go as planned.

Having everything in order is not a prerequisite for happiness. It is not about living a problem-free existence or accomplishing a certain aim. Rather, it is about being able to appreciate your current situation regardless of the circumstances.

Do not let luck determine your level of happiness. Decide to assert it. Live the life you are entitled to.