9 Steps for a Happier You * Ideas on How to be Happy
Happiness is not just a destination but a journey. In 9 Steps for a Happier You, we will explore practical strategies for inviting more joy and contentment into our daily routines.
9 Steps for a Happier You
If you’re looking for more ways to improve your life, 31 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress and 13 Ways to a More Peaceful Home will help you find ideas.
“Now, think of the happiest things. It’s the same as having wings.”
Peter Pan
In today’s hectic times, we all need a reminder now and again about how to add a bit more magic to our lives. We tend to put everyone else’s needs first and ourselves last.
Some days, it’s easier to smile. Things are running smoothly, the sun is shining, and traffic flows freely wherever you go.
Other times, things are piling up, nothing is going right, and long lines are testing your nerves.
Life is easier to navigate when you have a good foundation for yourself and your needs. We could all use more happiness in our lives.
Verywellmind.com describes the true meaning of happiness as “An emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment. While happiness has many definitions, it is often described as involving positive emotions and life satisfaction. Happiness is generally linked to experiencing more positive feelings than negative ones.
Creating a Cozy Life Group
Since you found this article on 9 Steps for a Happier You, I’m guessing you like all things cozy living. I created a Facebook Group called Creating a Cozy Life with over 185,000 like-minded souls.
It’s a group where we share recipes, pictures of things that leave you in awe, and ideas on how to make your life just a little bit more snug. Join here to be part of the virtual cozy cabin.
1. Schedule me time
Scheduling “me time” is a crucial component of cultivating overall well-being. You prioritize self-care and personal fulfillment by dedicating specific time slots in your scheduler solely for yourself.
Finding time for yourself could only be a few minutes each day or a more extended block of time each week. Carving out this space allows you to recharge, relax, and engage in activities that bring you joy.
Whether indulging in a favorite hobby, practicing mindfulness, or simply enjoying some quiet time alone, scheduling “me time” ensures you prioritize your needs and happiness despite the demands of daily life.
Is your deepest desire to write a novel? Join a writing group once a week. Do you love to be pampered? Schedule a massage or pedicure. These are just a few suggestions for investing in your well-being.
2. Authenticity
Authenticity can contribute to overall happiness. It means being true to yourself and embracing your values, beliefs, and desires without fear of judgment or external influence.
Why would you want to spend your days holding up an image of yourself that doesn’t mirror your true personality?
Being the same person in public as you are in private means living with transparency and honesty. You embody your true self regardless of the setting or audience.
3. Make Space for What You Love
Creating space for what you love is an ongoing practice that requires self-awareness. It means saying no to commitments and things that don’t bring you happiness and saying yes to opportunities that ignite your passions.
For one of my friends, making space for what she loved started with six baby chicks. This simple act changed her life entirely. She became passionate about growing her own food and cooking her meals from scratch.
Eventually, she expanded from just six chickens to adding goats, ducks, and geese. Her yard became a food forest, and she even had a large flower garden.
What will happen to your life if you make more space for what you love?
4. Build Your Dreams
Tony Gaskins said, “If you don’t build your own dream, someone will hire you to help build theirs.” Whether starting a business, pursuing a creative endeavor, or embarking on a personal quest for growth, building your dreams requires the courage to step outside your comfort zone and into the realm of possibility.
At the heart of building your dreams lies a deep commitment to action and progress. It’s about taking deliberate steps each day, no matter how small, toward making your vision into reality.
With unwavering determination and belief in yourself, you have the power to create a truly extraordinary life.
5. Create a Joy Jar
Creating a joy jar is a practice that can infuse your life with happiness and gratitude. Fill a jar with notes of happy memories, achievements, and things you’re grateful for as they occur. Whenever you need a mood lift, pull one out.
Here are some examples of joy jar notes:
- Witnessing a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
- Receiving a compliment from a friend or stranger.
- Enjoy a cozy night in with your favorite book and a cup of tea.
- Catching up with a friend over coffee.
- Taking a long, relaxing bubble bath.
- Cooking a delicious meal from scratch.
- Sitting on the front porch watching the rain.
- Finding a solution to a problem.
6. Volunteer Your Time
Volunteering your time is a rewarding experience that benefits others and enriches your life in countless ways. Stepping outside your concerns and dedicating your time and energy to those in need fosters a sense of connection and purpose that can elevate your overall well-being.
Whether helping at a local soup kitchen, tutoring children, or cleaning up a park, giving back provides a profound sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that transcends material wealth or personal gain.
When I lived in another state, the local dog shelter notified the public that it was in danger of closing unless it soon received a significant amount of money. The government only funded part of the shelter’s budget, and the rest had to be donated. This shelter saved many lives, and if it were closed, the animals from the two nearby towns would go to a high-kill shelter.
The shelter held a meeting to discuss raising funds, and I immediately jumped in. Lots of people showed up, ready to do their part. For several years I was part of a great group of people who loved animals and created multiple annual fundraisers that saved the shelter.
That weekend, I went to the shelter to see it for myself. I had been avoiding the shelter because I already had five rescue dogs, and I avoid shelters because I can’t resist adopting another one. During my visit, I immediately connected with one of the dogs; her name was Marigold.
Marigold was a large, older, chunky mutt who oozed laziness. She had been at the shelter for over a year, and no one had been interested. The shelter personnel told me what a wonderful dog she was and that she knew how to roll over and play dead if you put up your fingers into a fake gun and said, “Bang, bang.”
I’ve been in sales positions most of my life, and I decided not to leave the shelter that day until Marigold was adopted. An older gentleman and his 20-something-year-old son walked in looking for a puppy. I convinced them to give Marigold a chance and take her to the play area to spend some time. After they played with her for a while, I showed them Marigold’s trick. They couldn’t stop laughing. The vision of a chunky dog playing dead sealed the deal. Marigold was adopted.
The next day, the shelter received a text from the people who had adopted her. They explained that they had bought her an enormous dog bed and toys and that she had settled in nicely for the night. In the middle of the night, the dad had gotten up to get a glass of water. He found Marigold not in her bed but lying on her back on the couch with her feet in the air. He took a photo and sent it to the shelter. He said the sofa was now hers.
They loved that dog. Every year, they sent a thank-you note on her adoption date because they couldn’t imagine their lives without her. Marigold’s story became the star of our marketing campaign for the shelter and we were able to raise enough money to save it. This was over 15 years ago and the shelter is still going strong.
Seeing the impact of your efforts firsthand – whether it’s the gratitude of those you’ve helped or the tangible improvements in your community can instill a profound sense of pride and fulfillment that lefts your spirits and fills your heart with joy.
7. Plan Adventures
Embarking on adventures is a cornerstone of crafting a happier, more fulfilled life. There is a profound joy when we venture into the unknown, whether a spontaneous day trip to a nearby town or a carefully planned vacation to a far-flung destination.
When you infuse your life with excitement and wonder, you break free from routine and not only create cherished memories but also cultivate a zest for life that spills over into every aspect of your being.
Most of my adventures nowadays are day trips to explore new towns. We recently went to a small town on the water and took a boat tour. One of the stops on the tour was an island where wild horses live. Lucky for us, they were in full view at the edge of the water.
So grab your map and get ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery.
8. Keep Your Promises
You may keep your promises to your friends and family, but do you keep them to yourself? How often have you promised to start and stick with a new healthy habit, only to disappoint yourself?
There’s one secret you should know. You won’t feel like keeping that promise to yourself most of the time. It would help if you didn’t count on yourself being motivated. Your reward will be the self-confidence you’ll receive when you finally show up for yourself consistently.
9. Celebrate Yourself
Take the time to recognize your strengths, accomplishments, and resilience in facing challenges. Whether it’s reaching a milestone, overcoming obstacles, or simply appreciating the person you’ve become.
Ultimately, celebrating yourself is about honoring your journey, embracing your uniqueness, and giving yourself credit for how far you’ve come.
We’ve reached the end of 9 Steps on How to be Happy. I hope you enjoyed it!
Let me know in the comments below how you’ve made your life happier.
Be sure to join the Creating a Cozy Life Group. You’re not going to believe how amazing it is!
I created a pin for you below to add to your self improvement board on Pinterest.
You can follow me here on PINTEREST. If you try any of these ideas and take a photo, be sure to tag me here on INSTAGRAM.
Thanks for stopping by! I’m so happy you found us.
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