“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
14 Comments
Silviu
Saturday November 4th, 2017 at 10:18 AMSehr cooler Beitrag und eine tolle Anleitung für Anfänger. Ich mag solche Beiträge, nie mehr davon ?
Schau doch auch mal bei mir vorbei bei mir geht’s auch viel um das Thema Glück ?
Lg Silviu
michaelablog
Saturday November 4th, 2017 at 10:38 AMVielen Dank, das freut mich zu hören 🙂
Andrea
Saturday November 4th, 2017 at 03:00 PMLoved this kind of posts!! I completely agree with al lthe things you have mentioned in your guide! I find that being out in the Nature does wonders for me! It always inspires me and makes me feel abundant.
Thanks for sharing!
Andrea.
Seize your Style
michaelablog
Saturday November 4th, 2017 at 05:39 PMThank you so much Andrea! this means the world to me ❤️
More will come soon 🙂
vestido escote barco
Sunday November 5th, 2017 at 04:38 PMAbsolutely stunning! What beautiful pictures. I like your look, so cute!!!
XO
http://www.tuestilo.eu/blog/18_El-escote-barco-un-componente-mas-de-la-elega.html
michaelablog
Sunday November 5th, 2017 at 07:24 PMThank you so much my dear!
That is so kind <3
Rae
Sunday November 12th, 2017 at 10:47 AMHi Michaela! It’s been a while 🙂 Anyway, I think this is such an inspiring post! I am bookmarking it because this might be very helpful in the future 🙂 Also, you look amazing! Love the colorful outfit 😉
xoxo, rae
http://www.raellarina.net/
michaelablog
Sunday November 12th, 2017 at 01:06 PMHi Rae,
So happy you are back ❤️ Please feel free to bookmark it and share it ❤️
Have a great sunday ?
mahryska
Monday November 13th, 2017 at 07:51 AMsuch a fab post and love you look!
kisses from the sandpit ❤︎
http://www.mahryska.com
michaelablog
Monday November 13th, 2017 at 10:58 AMThank you so so much my
dear!
sara nena
Tuesday November 14th, 2017 at 11:36 PMTHAT SWEATER IS SOOOO COMFY
http://7-sevendays.blogspot.it/
michaelablog
Wednesday November 15th, 2017 at 05:17 AMthanks my dear!
Amely Rose
Tuesday November 21st, 2017 at 12:16 PMeigentlich bin ich ja gar nicht der fan von solchen posts auf Blogs oder in YOutube videos.
Irgendwie wirken sie nie echt und aufgesetzt!
Aber du, wo du in gefühlt jedem Bild strahlst verteilst so viel Lebensfreude.
Danke für deine wirklich tollen Tipps <3
schau gerne auf meinem BLOG vorbei und auf INSTAGRAM
michaelablog
Friday November 24th, 2017 at 11:36 AMOh das freut mich total! Danke 🙂
Ich weiss was du meinst 😉 Nein, ist nicht aufgesetzt und ich hoffe es wirkt authentisch 😀
Liebe Grüsse
Michaela