The Beginners Guide to Happiness

“If you want to be happy, be.” – Leo Tolstoy

What is happiness? Can it be so simple as the quote above? We strive for happiness and often attribute it to things or something external. Often we think, if I have this bag or that car I will be happy. But the happiness from possessions is not long-lasting. They might correlate with happiness (they happen and we can be happy simultaneously) but it’s not a causation relationship. Happiness cannot be found out there. No but it is something YOU can create actively for you!

Let me show a list, that introduces happiness into your life straight away today. You don’t have to apply all of these at once, but rather sooner or later getting familiar with all of them. Take one and start today!

1. Be Present

So often we find ourself worrying or dreaming about the future. Or you dwell in the past and regret things that happened or just want to go back when everything was ‘better’. Life is happening NOW, learn to be in the present moment and fully experience it. Practice this with mindfulness and you see that you’ll get better each time you try 🙂

2. Connect & spend times with others

In my experience, connecting with like-minded people and cultivating relationship can nourish your happiness. Be with people who are good for your mental, physical health. But also make sure that you surround yourself with the people you love most. Often we just do the opposite and actually spend more time alone or with people we don’t like much. Make it a priority to free time for the people you love. For me it is regular phone calls with my family and Sundays are usually family day which ensure my happiness.

3. Do things you love

What do you love doing most? Find 3–5 things that make you happy and keep them in your daily routine. For me, the things I love doing are: being in nature, Yoga and my family. And I love it to make time also just for and with myself.

In the ideal case, you’re already working in your dream job. If you are one of the lucky ones, then even better. Otherwise, try to find what you are passionate about and lead your career into that direction.

4. Focus on the Good

The universe is full of contrasts. And everything has that is has positive and negative aspects – whether you are happy depends mostly on which aspects you focus on. You didn’t finish your homework yet? Well, at least you spent time with your friends. You got the ‘flu? Probably, it’s your body telling you that you need a rest. Nothing happens against you. It always happens for you in the sense to teach you something.

5. Help & Compassion

Isn’t there anything more fulfilling than helping someone? Sometimes just being there and listen can help. Often we forget about the suffering of others while we focus on our own struggle. If we learn to share the suffering of others, our suffering becomes less overwhelming. A smile can already brighten up someones day. Be kind!

6. Notice the small things

Not always waiting for something ‘big’ to happen but instead appreciating the small things can change your perception of happiness. Notice the small pleasure in a cup of coffee, taking a walk outside, reading a book, or cooking a meal.

7. Be grateful

Learning to see the value of our life and to appreciate what is in our life adds to our happiness. Being grateful for the people we have in our lives and what we received.

8. Simplify & Slow down

When you simplify your life you basically eliminate things you don’t need. May it be things, clothes, relationships etc. When you identify the things you love your create time for your happiness. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by material things, you remove the clutter (minimalism is a great start/inspiration). You reduce stress and with this it’s possible to slow down because you do not spent time and energy with things you dislike.

9. Be active

It’s proven that when you are active or doing sports your body releases Serotonin. Those hormones of reduce stress and you feel happier.

10. Spend time in nature

Go out into nature every day. Take a walk, breathe in the fresh air and why not watching the sunset? Or enjoying the surrounding mountains, woods or lakes and ponds. See the miracles that nature has created and appreciate them. Time spend in nature is time invested in your happiness! (more here)

Happiness is a state of consciousness.  You have to be someone that makes you happy first. Happiness cannot be found out there. Happiness is something we create and it moves around with me. It’s always with us. You just need to notice it.

I hope you like these kind of helpful guides. As I want to create this blog not only for Fashion but rather about inspirational topics. And furthermore, while my Instagram is more filled with quotes, the blog articles are meant to discuss topics a bit more in depth.

Do you like these kind of guides? Let me know what you think!

‘Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.’ ~Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

“The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” – Benjamin Franklin