15 Practical Ways to Live a Happy Life

After money and love, happiness may be the most sought after goal in life. The reason as to why money and love come first is because, somehow, many people link these to happiness. But still, after getting money, love and or other luxuries in life, a happy life is still not achieved in most cases. This is because happiness is more about your mindset and contentment.

I believe that to be happy, you have to fall in love with your life; you have to be satisfied with the person you are while chasing the kind of life you love, actively and consciously. Most importantly, you have to believe that happiness is attainable and that you are worthy of a happy life.

“You deserve to be happy. You deserve to live a life you are excited about. Don’t let others make you forget that.”

-Anonymous

Ahead are 15 practical things to do or not to thereof, that will guide you towards living your happiest life by making every moment count;

How to Live Your Happiest Life

1. Stop chasing perfection

Someone once told me that, “being perfect is imperfection in itself”. I have personally come to discover that flaws and a little rough around the edges are what truly make something beautiful. Without your flaws you wouldn’t be you, and ergo you may end up attracting the wrong things in life. The chase for perfection only dwarfs your achievements and may lead you to believe that happiness is elusive, which it isn’t.

2. Run from toxic relationships

A toxic relationship is one that hinders your growth, productivity and ultimately, your happiness. A toxic relationship does not have to be a romantic one. We hung around toxic people all the time. It is that friend who throws you shade low-key every chance they get, or that partner who doesn’t respect your views and opinions. Criticism that comes from a positive place is totally okay, but the problem comes in when it is used to express contempt and or bring you down. If a relationship does not bring you joy, it is time to walk away and protect your aura.

3. De-clutter

Your personal space is linked to your mind and overall productivity more than you know. Take time to de-clutter different aspects of your life; digital life, work space, and even go a step further to de-clutter your closet and maybe even build a capsule wardrobe. De-cluttering not only clears up your space and mind, but it also releases tension, energizes and reduces anxiety.

4. Stop comparing yourself to other people

To be happy in life, it is integral that you understand the fact that everyone is different and that each person has their own unique path. Using the success of others as a measuring rod for your own lowers your self-worth, and could be detrimental to your overall productivity. Embrace your individuality and learn from others, rather than trying to compete with them.

5. Do not settle

Settling for mediocrity often arises from fear; fear of being alone, fear of being judged, or lack of confidence in oneself. Know that you deserve better and you are worthy of the good things in life. Settling will only lead to regret and unhappiness in the long run.

6. Don’t ignore self-care

In other words, don’t forget to take care of you. Showing yourself some love equips you with ability to care for others better as well as maintain a healthy relationship with one self and others. Self-care allows you to be the best version of yourself by boosting your confidence, enhancing productivity and raising self-esteem.

Related: 31 Self-Care Tips to Help You be the Best Version of Yourself

7. Positivity goes a long way

To attain a happy life, keep negative thoughts at bay. According to Napoleon Hill, in his book, Think and Grow Rich, positive and negative thoughts have the same power to reach and influence your subconscious mind. Positive thinking alone may not solve your problems, but it may determine how you solve them. With the ability to reduce stress, positive thinking allows you to stay calm and think rationally, thus allowing you to make sound decisions that foster you towards living a happy life.

8. Stop doubting yourself

If you do not trust and believe that you are capable of doing things and being great at them, you are limiting your chances of a happy life. It is likely that you have not even begun to tap into all the potential you possess, and this can only be achieved when you take the jump.

9. Be yourself

Being authentically you brings freedom, and freedom equals happiness. In the social media-crazed era that we’re currently living in, it is easy to get caught up in keeping appearances. What most people don’t know, however, is that you shine your best light when you are your true self. You can only attract the right things and people when you are authentic. So, unless you are a superhero, always show up as you.

10. Embrace change

Change is scary. When I list the things I don’t like in life, change sneaks up somewhere along the lines. This fear of change, however, should not be fed. Change is a part of life, and not coming to terms with it only means that you are stuck in a comfort zone, and crippled by fear. Once you start looking at change in a positive light, you will realize that you need to embrace it in order to grow, open yourself to new opportunities and most times you end up discovering strengths that you did not know you had.

11. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that allows you to keep your thoughts and attention in the present. By being aware of your thoughts, actions and feelings, you are able to live in the moment, thus improving your overall well-being. Studies have shown that people who practice mindfulness lead happier lives; focusing on the here and now allows one to savor every moment in the present and appreciate what life has to offer now, as opposed to worrying about the future and holding on to the past.

12. Do more of what you love

Mark Anthony once said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” First of all, you will work, alright, but this will give you a sense of purpose and you are likely to achieve more out of your career if it’s stemmed from passion. You will lead a happy life when you have a healthy work-life balance, and you do not constantly rant about how you hate your job.

13. Learn to enjoy your own company

Delight in being alone; you have to fall in love with yourself first, before falling in love with others and them with you. When you spend time alone you know yourself better, which allows you to make decisions without outside influences. You also become aware of what you want, how you want to be treated and actually gain the courage to accept nothing less.

14. Let go of the past

It happened! But it does not have to define who you are today. Living a happy life is about letting go of past mistakes and allowing yourself to experience the joys of the present. You cannot change the past, but even if you could, chances are you wouldn’t want to, because a changed past means a changed present and future. You would not be where you are today without that past.

15. Stop making excuses

Did you know that you could be self-sabotaging your own happiness? Well, making excuses is a method of self-handicap that feeds into fear and reduces one’s motivation. Excuses can be in form of blaming others or circumstances in life for your own failures and shortcomings, or excusing a negative pattern of behavior towards you from someone else. Fulfillment in life begins the moment you start owning your mistakes and seeking to do better, rather than making excuses.

Do not wait for particular things (or people) to bring you happiness. Rather, decide and choose to be happy with what you have and where you are in life. Chances are that what you think will bring you happiness WON’T, and the simple things you are dismissing today (that will actually bring you happiness) are the same ones you’ll come back to, a lot of sadness later, in your search for a happy life.

What is your definition of happiness? Let me know in the comment section down below.