Happy- “feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.”
I like to think happiness is found on the journey that I’m on. A journey to be better, be healthier, enjoy the important people around me, to belong to something bigger and to find purpose in everything I do. Happiness is writing this blog and hoping it can at least help one person, because it’s a kind thing to do.
People think that material items can give you happiness. Sure, it would be nice to have lots of money, own nice things and live in a big mansion. What if you had nobody to share these things with? What if everyone thought you were a crappy person? What if you didn’t have a purpose in your life? Those material items might make you happy for short amount of time but in the long run you won’t find sustained happiness in them. I used to think material items would make me happy- I’d wear the most expensive clothes, have the top of the range shoes, and buy the newest mac book as some examples. I can tell you one thing though; your nice shoes and clothes aren’t going to love you. That Mac Book? It’ll be out of date in a year’s time. So, what isn’t materialistic that can make you happy?
In my experiences and time spent with depression and anxiety there were certain things I learned and implemented into my life that slowly dragged me up to find happiness in my life. They were:
- Having strong relationships in life- There is so much joy to have when you are generally interested and invested most in the people around you. Their wins become your wins, when you need a little picking up, they are there for you and vice versa.
- Kindness- It’s scientifically proven that when you commit an act of kindness you see a reduction in anxiety and depression. I like giving back to people its gives me a sense of achievement and aligns with my own self values.
- Mindfulness- Being present in the moment, enjoying what is being presented in front of you. Experiencing the here and now, not being stuck in your head, your phone or being worried about the future.
- Defeating problems-Life can suck, it can be problem after problem after problem. In truth, it never ends. But in my experience, there is something beautiful about overcoming the challenges that are thrown at you. That’s part of the journey, its growing, learning and becoming a better person. It’s taking that small step out of your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown. It’s scary, its hard but in the end, I can guarantee it’s worth it. Don’t wait on the sideline and let life fly pass you.
When you step back and think, what is it that you find important in life? What are your values? What is worth consuming your time? Asking yourself these questions will give you an insight into what can make you happy.
Remember you can’t be happy every single second of every single day, that’s not how feelings work. It’s important to sit back and reflect to know what brings you happiness. It’s different for every person, what brings me happiness will not be the same as what brings you happiness.
In conclusion, happiness is not found in materialistic things but in the experiences and relationships we have in life. By prioritising strong relationships, committing acts of kindness, practicing mindfulness, and facing challenges, we can find meaning and purpose in our lives. It is important to reflect on what is important to us and what brings us joy, as this will vary from person to person. Remember, happiness is not a constant state and it’s okay to have ups and downs. However, by focusing on the things that bring us happiness and making them a priority in our lives, we can work towards a happier and more fulfilling life.
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