By Hannah Braime
Many of us assume that we need
to make drastic changes to our habits, routines and/or bank balances to be
happy. In reality, however, that’s not the case. Often, we already have
everything we need to enjoy life—it’s just a question of prioritizing what’s
really important. Here are 25 simple ways you can enjoy your life more,
starting today!
1. Focus on
yourself
Other people will always be on
hand to offer up their opinions and advice. Ultimately, however, it’s we, and
we alone, that have to live with the consequences of our decisions.
2. Make time
to relax
Making time to relax and
reconnect with ourselves leaves us better equipped to deal with more
challenging periods.
3. Avoid the
news
It’s all too easy to get sucked
into public drama, online and offline. Trust that if something important
happens, you’ll know about it. Otherwise, save yourself energy and spend your
time on something more worthwhile.
4. Nurture
your positive relationships
Make time to nurture the
positive relationships you have with friends and family. Identify the people
who lift you up and focus your energy on them.
5. Meet new
people
Community is one of the most
important needs we have. Making a consistent effort to meet new people helps us
fulfill that need and introduces us to new ideas and perspectives.
6. Explore
new places
New places and cultures offer a
different perspective on the world and add a healthy dose of inspiration and
possibility to our lives.
7. Keep a
wish list
Whenever you think of something
you’d like to try, or a place you’d like to visit, write it down and keep a collection.
It keeps the dream alive and stops it fizzling out as a forgotten thought.
8. Try new things
Commit to trying a certain
number of items from your wish list each year to make sure they don’t just stay
as wishes.
9. Spend money on experiences, not possessions
It’s experiences, not
possessions, that create memories and meaning.
10. Cut down your junk
Physical clutter equals mental
clutter; reducing the amount of stuff around us fosters a calmer mental state,
too.
11. Make time for gratitude and appreciation
Creating a routine of writing
down three things we feel grateful for each day helps us focus more on what
we’re grateful for in life.
12. Track how
you’re spending your time
It’s easy to get to the end of
a day and wonder where all the time went, so track how you spend your time in
an average week. When we’re conscious of how we’re spending our hours, we can
make the most of the time we have on this planet.
13. Be deliberate in your choices
We’ve never had so many
opportunities to create a lifestyle that we truly love, yet many of us still
live life on autopilot. Be deliberate in your life choices: remember that it’s your life and
no-one else’s.
14. Invest in yourself
The more self-aware and
self-accepting we are, the happier we are. Make time to read personal
development books, journal, and focus on being compassionate towards yourself.
15. Remember
that all feelings pass
A key part of enjoying life is
accepting that we’re not going to feel 100% happy 100% of the time. During the
more challenging times, remember that life is one big cycle of ups and downs,
and remember that all feelings pass.
16. Celebrate wins
In a goal-obsessed society,
it’s easy to bounce from one milestone to the next without savoring our
successes. Make time to celebrate your wins—no matter how small, and focus on
enjoying the journey rather than the destination.
17. Allow yourself to feel happy
Many of us find it challenging
to enjoy a calm, “normal” life. Give yourself permission to enjoy a drama-free
existence and focus on finding pleasure in your daily experiences.
18. Practice mindfulness
Noticing how we feel and what’s
around us right now is an effective way of getting out of our heads, detaching
from our worries, and returning to the experience of what it’s truly like to be
alive.
19. Get outside
Feel the wind on your face, the
sun on your skin, and enjoy a good dose of Vitamin D and fresh air.
20. Speak your mind
When we hold back our thoughts,
opinions, and desires out of fear of displeasing others, we’re not being true
to ourselves. Speak up and feel uncomfortable in the short-term and you’ll
enjoy life more in the long-term.
21. Record happy moments
Take photos, journal,
draw—whatever you need to do to record happy moments and memories.
22. Get active
Exercises releases endorphins,
natural pain-relieving and stress-busting chemicals.
23. Keep
learning
Find
enjoyment through a sense of purpose and make time to explore subjects that
interest you. After all, you never know where your interest might lead!
24. Practice compassion
When
we can feel compassion for ourselves and compassion for others, even difficult
situations become rewarding and, ultimately, more enjoyable.
25. Give back
Spending
time on activities that make a difference to others, through pursuits
like volunteering, helps instill a sense of meaning and purpose in
our lives. Even though some of the activities might not be that enjoyable or
exciting, the simple act of giving back is a reward in itself.
No comments:
Post a Comment