What do you do to make you happy

I Want To Be Happy: 41 Things That Make You Happy

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How to find what makes you happy

Being happy is good – being your happiest, though, is better. You owe it to yourself to live your life happily. If you want to be your best, it’s a good idea to have a plan of action.

Are you feeling a bit down? Telling yourself “I want to be happy again” or “I want to make you happy“?

Instead of looking at happiness in vague terms, you can look at it as something that’s a result of your work. Below are forty things you can do to make yourself a bit happier. From minor actions to significant life changes, these activities will surely make your life (and mood) better. Here are 41 things that make you happy:

1. Take inventory

Stop for a few minutes and take inventory of the great things that you have done in life. Even if you’ve never climbed Mount Everest, you’ve probably accomplished something. It is often hard to force yourself to acknowledge the right things, but it does help make you happy.

Take some time to take inventory of everything that you’ve done in life and allow yourself to feel a measure of pride. You don’t just deserve it – it’s something you have to do, to be honest with yourself. Taking inventory is a significant first step towards learning how to be happier in your life.

2. Remember the bad times

One little-known way to help yourself become happier is to stop and remember the bad times. As odd as it sounds, you need to acknowledge that you have come through significant challenges. While these bad times might colour your perception, you can’t ignore them.

It is a good idea to acknowledge that you had the strength to make it through them. Bad times are as much a part of your life as good. Accept the bad days and the strength you gained by persevering – you’ll feel like a champion.

3. Talk to an old friend

We all have friends with whom we have lost touch. Some of these friends are gone because of bad blood. Others though just fell through the cracks. If you want a moment of real happiness, get in contact with one of those friends. Say hello, ask how they’re doing, and reconnect. The conversation doesn’t have to be long or profound. Just make the connection and move on if necessary. These little moments can build up over time and help you connect with the people who make you happiest, and you’ll be happy naturally.

4. Pick up a new hobby

There are few things better than spending time doing something you love. According to The Guardian, hobbies do make us happier. If there’s a hobby in which you are interested, pick it up today. Don’t worry if you’re good at it or if you can sustain it – get a starter kit and get going.

There’s something lovely about discovering a new passion, so embrace that chance. This doesn’t have to be a life-long love affair, but it will teach you something about yourself. Allowing yourself a new hobby is a great way to start feeling happy. Even if you don’t love your choice, you’ll still spend a day trying something new.

5. Play around with an old hobby

Some hobbies don’t stand the test of time. If you want a quick ray of sunshine, though, pick up that old hobby and play around. If you played an instrument, for example, take the time to learn one new song. Put together a quick project if you love to build.

You don’t have to define yourself by the hobby any longer, but you can enjoy what it brings you. It is often a good idea to reconnect with the things that bring you joy. Allow yourself the nostalgia of an old hobby when you can.

6. Go outside

The great outdoors has numerous benefits. Fresh air can work wonders, as can a bit of warm sunlight. Even if you aren’t an outdoorsy person, though, stepping outside your home can be beneficial. When you go outside, you’ll see something new – even if it’s just the clouds moving across the sky.

Learning to appreciate these minor changes will allow you to enjoy the world. Every step out your door is a fresh start towards something new. A quick walk around the neighbourhood can change the way you see the world. Not up to walking? Don’t worry – you can gain quite a bit from sitting on your front porch.

7. Wake up early

It’s amazing how one can limit one’s view by sticking to a schedule. One great way to get happier is to look at the world in a way that you usually miss. Wake up an hour or two earlier to see the world in a new light.
This will also give you the time to relax as you get your day started. There’s something lovely about sipping a cup of coffee and reading instead of hurrying out the front door. It can be tough to wake up early, but it can often make you happy.

8. Stay up late

Do you remember how fun it was to stay up late when you were a kid? You can still get that jolt of joy by staying up a little later at night. Give yourself a few hours at the end of your day that is just for you.

Watch those TV shows you’ve fallen behind on, read a book, read some quotes or look at the stars. Staying up late might make you tired if you do it all the time, but it’s often an excellent way to reconnect with yourself. It’s a small move that can make you much happier.

9. Create an awesome playlist

Music can soothe the soul. You have certain songs that mean a lot to you, so why not put them all together? Go through your music catalogue and make a playlist of the music you love.

Next time you are sad, play these songs. They don’t have to be upbeat, but they do have to be songs you love. Giving yourself access to things that soothe you can make you much happier.

The best part about putting together a playlist is that it is a work in progress. As time goes by, you can add more songs that mean something to you. If you’re stuck, start with this!

10. Call sick into work

This isn’t something you should often do. In fact, calling into work can make your life worse if done too much. If you want to be a little happier, though, don’t be afraid to take an occasional personal day.

A day off in the middle of the week can help you recharge your batteries. Spend the day doing things you love, not things you need to do. When you go back to work, you’ll be happier.

Taking time off will not only make you more productive but help you reconnect with yourself. Everyone deserves to take a day for himself or herself once in a while.

If that’s not for you, here are some secrets to being happy at work.

11. Draw something

Remember how fun it was to draw when you were a kid? You didn’t draw because you were good – you drew because it made you happy. Even as an adult, making a few simple doodles can make an impact on your day. Simply said, being creative makes us happy.

If you want a boost, draw something – you don’t have to stick it on the fridge, but it might help. If you aren’t comfortable drawing, you might enjoy colouring. A little bit of artistic expression can go a very long way. You’ll be surprised by how the act of creation can improve y
our mood.

12. Cook a meal

Food can have a real impact on your mood. Take some time to learn a recipe and put together a meal that looks good to you. Don’t worry about following trends or doing something overly challenging – have fun.

Cooking can not only be relaxing, but it can also be a great mood booster. You’ll be able to create something you can use immediately. You may also be able to share the joy with others.

Don’t worry if your recipe isn’t perfect – it’s the process that counts. Cooking is its reward. In time, your skills will grow along with your mood.

13. Sing out loud

When was the last time you sang out loud? According to Time Magazine, singing out loud changes the way your brain works. Singing can help you to ward off depression and look at the world happily.

Put that playlist you made earlier to use and sing your heart out. If you’re up to it, participate in karaoke, preferably away from those who know you. If you don’t have to feel self-conscious, you can enjoy yourself a bit more. A song in your heart really can make you feel a great deal happier.

14. Buy yourself a present

A little retail therapy can go a long way. There are things you want that might make you a bit happier, and it’s sometimes a good idea to indulge yourself. Don’t empty your savings to buy trinkets, but let yourself enjoy your money on occasion.

If you can set up a system where you reward yourself with what you want, you can do away with some of the pain of self-denial. Always make sure to do this in a manner that works with your budget, though. There’s nothing worse than paying for short-term happiness with long-term debt.

15. Read a good book

Books can take you to another world. We all know how essential reading is. Dig out an old favourite or find something helpful and allow yourself the luxury of escaping for a few hours. If you’re feeling adventurous, try taking on a new reading challenge like reading one of the 50 best self improvement books of all time.

Reading is a great way to expand your mind and lose yourself, but it’s also an excellent way to expand your horizons. Reading may not change how your life is going, but it can show you new paths. If you are willing to spend a few hours with a good book, you can increase your store of happiness.

16. Plan a party

Want to pick your mood up quickly? Plan a party. When you plan a party, you’re preparing your mind for a good time.

As the planner, you know everything at the party will be to your tastes. Put together the perfect night and invite over some friends. Socialisation is good for your mood, as is the chance to control your surroundings.

While parties aren’t for everyone, even the act of planning can help. When you realise you are capable of having a perfect time, things change. Make yourself happy with a quick get-together.

17. Wear that outfit

Male or female, you have one outfit that makes you look great. You know what the outfit is. The pants the fit just right, or the shirt that’s just awesome. You might not wear it often, but wear it today. It will give you a boost of self-confidence that is hard to beat.

This outfit might not mean much on its own, but it helps. Wear something that makes you feel great when you are feeling sad. Sometimes, looking good on the outside can make you feel great on the inside. Never underestimate the power of wearing the right clothes.

18. Start a project

People aren’t designed to sit around and do nothing. Even if you’re happy, you can improve your mood by starting something new. Look around your home and think of a project that needs to be done. You might build shelves, organise your DVDs, or even paint a wall.

Starting a project helps give you hope for the future. Finishing the project enables you to feel a sense of accomplishment. A good project can help you organise your mind as well as your home. Don’t feel pressured to do something significant – even a small project can help. Working can help you improve the way you feel.

19. Challenge your brain

Your brain needs input for you to feel satisfied. One of the best ways to feel happy is to give yourself a mental challenge. Pick up a crossword or Sudoku puzzle to give your mind a real challenge. Move on to an intricate puzzle or even a set of math problems if you like.

The more you challenge yourself, the more you will surprise yourself. Keeping your brain active isn’t just a great way to become happy, but an excellent way to stay mentally sharp. Keeping your mind busy will help you stay happier as you get older.

20. Start learning a language

It is easier than ever to learn a new language. There are dozens of apps and websites that make learning a breeze. As a mental challenge, learning a new language is a way to accomplish something with your mind. It is also a valuable skill you can use to expand your horizons.

As you learn, you will open up new opportunities. You might be able to travel to a new country or speak to new people. Don’t pick a language at random – choose one that may have meaning to you. With time, you’ll discover a new way to express yourself to others.

21. Plan a trip

Have you always wanted to travel? If so, it might be a good idea to plan a trip. Even if you are unable to leave today, the planning process can be amazing.

Go through the whole process. Figure out where to stay and what you’d do. Once you’re done, you’ll have something to work towards – a goal that can make you happier.

22. Write a story

Writing a story can help you work things out mentally. You don’t have to be a professional writer to put pen to paper. Take some time to come up with a story and put it down somewhere that only you can see.

There are also many great online writing sites that can help you share your stories with others. You can learn a great deal about yourself from the criticism left on your accounts. While the opinions of others can be scary, they can also help to lift you up.

23. Help someone else

You’re not the only person out there who wants to feel happier. Sometimes, the best way to improve your mood is to look at those of others. You’re already happy – so why not be happier by helping out a friend.

The key to becoming happier through helping others is to do it altruistically. Don’t expect to get something in return. The joy you get from helping should be reward enough. Remember, only help out if it’s going to make you feel better – no one will enjoy working with someone who helps begrudgingly.

24. Meet someone new

It’s a good idea to take any chance you can to expand your view of the world. Sometimes, being happy means moving outside of your comfort zone. One of the best ways to do this is to get to know new people.

There are great websites that can help you meet people with interests similar to your own. If you can strike up a conversation, you might learn more about yourself and others than you expect. The chance to make a new friend is often an excellent way to help yourself become a bit happier.

25. Pet an animal

Animals are great mood boosters. They don’t mind hanging around you at your worst, and they love to see you when you walk through the door. According to The Huffington Post, they can also have a very profound impact on your happiness.

Even if you don’t own a dog or cat, you can still get some joy from animals. Visit a pet store or local shelter to interact with the animals. Let their mood inform your own – you never know what you might learn from these happy creatures.

26. Clean your house

A clean house is a happy house, as the old saying goes. It’s also a space that can allow you to relax finally. If you want to feel happier, why not use your energy to give yourself a clean space?

Remember, a clean house can mean different things to different people. If you are the kind of person who likes things spotless, it might be time to wax the floors and vacuum the floorboards. If you’re not that neat, though, you might get more out of a little organisation and a few trips out to the dumpster.

27. Finally finish “that thing”

You know that there’s something in your life that you are putting off. No matter how happy you are, there’s a task waiting for you that you want to avoid. If you want the secret to real happiness, it’s probably something that can be found in getting the job done.

Schedule a time for your unpleasant task and get it finished. Don’t put it off, don’t ignore it, and certainly don’t pretend like it can be done easily. Once it’s done, you’ll be able to pat yourself on the back and go on with the knowledge that you’ll never have to do it again.

28. Watch your favourite episode of your favourite show

Television can be a great way to improve your mood. When you love a show, it’s because there’s something in it that speaks to you. You probably have a favourite episode – so why not watch it?

The great thing about watching television is that it is a relatively short task. Thanks to modern technology, you can probably even watch your favourite episode while you’re doing something else. If you want a quick pick-me-up, give yourself a chance to watch the show that you love the most.

29. Do something physical

Human beings aren’t designed to be sedentary. Even if your hobbies involve being in an upright and seated position, you can get a lot of joy out of doing something physical. What that means, of course, is up to you.

You might go for a run, play a game of basketball, or even chop some wood. What matters is that you get the blood flowing and allow yourself to exult in your physicality. Sometimes, being happy means working up a sweat.

Don’t like the outdoors? How about getting a treadmill and running at home while watching your favourite show? You can get a decent treadmill for a good price easily and it will be worth the investment!

30. Donate to a good cause

There are many people out there that need more than any one person can give. In these cases, everyone has to pitch in to help. Whether you have time, skills, or money, you can help the world by doing your part.

Donating to a good cause gives you a good reason to be happy. You’re doing something selfless that will benefit someone else, even if you never see the results. If you are willing to take a hit to your own time or money, you’ll be rewarded with a sunnier disposition.

31. Use your skills

What are you good at? Are you a great writer, painter, or a fantastic handstand aficionado? If so, one of the things that might make you happiest is putting your skills to use.

We all like to feel like we’re good at something, and the best way to do that is to stand up and do something well. Find a way to put your skills to use, even if it’s only in challenging yourself. If you can use your skills, you’ll feel good about yourself.

32. Write Yourself a Letter

Sometimes, you need to be your biggest fan. If you have a pen and paper, you can write a letter to your future to remind yourself of that. Get an envelope, stamp, and prepare to be a time traveller.

Write a quick letter to encourage yourself. This will not only make you feel better right now but will help you in the future. When the letter arrives, you’ll be reminded that you are in charge of your happiness.

33. Go offline

It’s easy to get down if you find yourself online. Even if you’ve usually got a great disposition, the online world can put a roadblock on your way to total happiness. Unplug for a bit to get your head on straight.

This works best if you have a day off, of course, but you can do this to various degrees. Stay away from social media and talk to people in person. You’ll be surprised by how much more reasonable the world can be face to face.

34. Dare yourself to do something silly

Your ego might be the thing that holds you back from being your happiness. You have a reputation and image to uphold, after all, even if it isn’t fun. If you want a shortcut to happiness, it might be through acting a bit silly.

If there’s something funny you’ve always wanted to do, make it a dare. Dare yourself to ride a unicycle or break into song in public. Don’t forget to put on an a happy face when you do it. The worst that can happen is that people stare – and the best is that you might break through your mental blocks.

35. Spend a day alone

There’s nothing wrong with spending time alone. In fact, spending a day alone might make you happy. If you need to disconnect with the world, it may be a good idea to get some privacy and get in touch with yourself.

Don’t waste a day when you’re alone. Incorporate some of the other ideas from this list while you are at it. Try to focus on the things that make you happiest and allow yourself to enjoy them alone. Here are some rules to be happy while being alone.

36. Make someone’s day

Happiness isn’t just about making yourself happy. It’s often about contributing to the delight of others. If you know something that can make a friend or family member truly happy, do what you can to make their dream come true.

For some, this can be as easy as buying a movie ticket. For others, this might require going on a road trip. What matters is that you’re willing to give of yourself to make someone else happy – an action that will increase your happiness.

37. Spend a day only with the people you love

Happiness is often found in those you love. While work and other vital parts of life might keep you away, these are the people for whom you love. Your happiness can be significantly increased by spending a full day with the people you love.

Next time you can coordinate a day off, try to spend it with someone who is important to you. You don’t have to do anything fancy – enjoy the time you have. Revel in the fact that you’re choosing to be with a person that you love.

38. Do something you wanted to do as a kid

One of the coolest things about being an adult is the fact that you can do whatever you want. Unfortunately, you may also be bogged down by responsibility. To be a bit happier, take a few hours to ignore the adult world and do something a kid would want to do.

If you always wanted to build a giant Lego set, for example, nothing is stopping you now. Likewise, no one will bat an eye if you want ice cream for breakfast. Give into your inner child every once in a while to improve your overall level of happiness.

39. Go for a drive

If you’ve got a car, driving can feel like a chore. You’ve probably forgotten how wonderful it was to drive on your own the first time. One great way to feel happier is to recapture that feeling by going on a drive to nowhere.

Get in your car, gas it up, and focus on the drive. Go somewhere that will allow you to avoid traffic and become one with the road. The sense of freedom you can get from a nice, lazy drive is hard to beat.

40. Allow yourself to fail

Not everything that makes you happier is going to look great at first glance. Sometimes, the key to being happier is by permitting yourself not to be perfect. In these cases, you need to allow yourself to fail.

Failing is not a bad thing as long as you learn from it. All the most successful people in the world have failed. Some are more prominent than others, but it is without a doubt, one of the best ways to learn. Here’s 10 Famous Failures To Learn From.

41. Do smiling exercises

This is a good one. When you smile, more often than not, you’re happy. So changing our physiology can affect our mind. I’m sure you’ve seen a sad person smile. At that moment, that person is happy. So make it a habit of smiling more by doing smiling exercises.

For most people, finding things that make you happy means trying something that’s difficult, but that is still rewarding. If you try hard enough, it doesn’t matter if you succeed. We can’t be happy all the time, but you will be happier because you tried and failed instead of giving into your fear. Writing this post made me feel happy.

Please share if you feel just a tad bit happier too!

Do More Of What Makes You Happy: 7 Ways To Live A Happier Life

Published on July 26, 2021

Should you do more of what makes you happy, or is this terrible advice? Although most people are well-meaning when they tell you to «just do what makes you happy», there are some things that you need to know.

Doing more of the things that make you happy will make you more likely to be successful, productive and happy. But before you decide to quit your soul-sucking job and go touring on a motorcycle for the next week, you need to be smart about it. You need to find balance between doing things that make you happy and living a responsible and sustainable life.

This article will show you the powerful benefits of just doing more of the things that you happy. In the meantime, I’ll discuss 7 ways to be smart about it in order to find the right balance between short-term and long-term happiness.

What stops you from doing what makes you happy?

We all want to be happy. Then why is it so hard to simply do more of the things that make you happy? What keeps you from doing these things?

Some of these causes of unhappiness are simply uncontrollable. In fact, there’s nothing you can do about being diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. And even though you can escape your soul-sucking job by quitting, you’ll probably end up in deeper trouble due to your upcoming mortgage, medical and car payments.

Therefore, it’s important to do the things that make you happy only in areas where you actually get to be in control.

Why «Do what makes you happy» is terrible career advice

If your career doesn’t make you happy, then don’t worry. You are part of the majority, as discovered by many studies. Only 13% of workers from the United States find happiness in what they do for a living, according to this study.

If you’re part of this small group, doing only the things that make you happy will probably get you fired. You’re not paid to play video games or browse Reddit all day at work, are you?

Instead, you should accept that your job is only a means to support your lifestyle. By embracing that kind of attitude, you can look at your work differently. Assuming that you work 40 hours a week, you are still in charge of the majority of your free time. The income that your job provides allows you to live the rest of your life on your terms. And in that time, you should really just focus on the things that make you happy.

Why «Do what makes you happy» is great advice anyway

Even though there are lots of things in life that we can’t control, it’s still a great idea to do more of the things that make you happy. That’s because this allows you to focus on the positivity rather than the negativity in your life.

Even though you’re not in a position to quit your job, to terminate all your stress, or to simply «be happy», you’ll still be able to focus on the positives when you engage in happy activities.

Instead of stressing over things that are outside your control, try to focus on smaller things that are within your control.

And by doing so, you’ll be exposed to all the benefits of one of the greatest mechanisms in life. By focusing on happy activities, we’re more likely to experience an increase in health, productivity and social relationships. Also, being happy makes us more likely to be successful and sustainable. In other words, being happy makes us a better person.

Therefore, by focusing on smaller happy activities at first, we’re more likely to succeed in dealing with the bigger problems in our lives.

If you’re still finding it hard to think of ways to do more of what makes you happy, I’ve got you covered.

7 ways to do more of what makes you happy

As discussed, simply doing more of what makes you happy is not guaranteed to actually improve your life. You have to be methodical about it, and choose to focus on the areas that are within your control.

1. Treat your savings as F-you money

For most of the workers in the U.S., your job is probably something that doesn’t make you happy. If you simply were to follow the advice «do what makes you happy!», then you’d have to quit your job tomorrow.

However, that’s a terrible way to achieve sustainable happiness.

As I discussed earlier, you want to focus your energy on doing things that are within your control. One thing that I’ve found most influential down the road is to treat your savings as F-you money.

F-you money is basically an emergency fund that can take care of your expenses when you lose your income. Why is it called F-you money? Because for every dollar in your emergency fund, you’ll find it easier to say «no» to your job whenever it affects your happiness too much.

This amazing article explains F-you money way better than I ever could.

In short, there are many things that money can buy, but the most valuable of all is freedom. If you live from paycheck to paycheck, you are practically unable to quit your job. If you are in debt, you’ll probably do anything to keep your job. Even when it affects your happiness.

By having F-you money, you’re better able to say «no» at work more often, so that you can spend your free time doing the things that make you happy.

If you want to start building that emergency fund, you simply have to spend less than you earn. While this sounds easy, it can be extremely difficult. Here’s a good introduction to this mindset.

2. Write down things that (you think) make you happy

One of the simplest ways to do more of the things that make you happy is to write them down.

Grab a pen and paper and just write down whatever comes to mind. When you think of a happy memory, what were you doing at the time? For me, this list consists of:

In addition to this list, you can fill it with things that you think will make you happy. Think of it as a happy bucket list. Without any limitations, what would your happiest life look like?

In my case, that list includes:

These things don’t have to be super ambitious.

When you are done writing your list, the next step is to take action. Actively schedule a moment to start working on something on your list.

3. Start small

If you’re like me, most of the things that are on your happy bucket list are not done in a single day. For example, my desire to reach some form of financial independence cannot be reached overnight.

Therefore, it’s important to start small. This means that you have to narrow your goals down into smaller milestones. If you want to be a performer, but you’re afraid of public speaking, getting in front of an auditorium of thousands is a bad idea. Performing to a smaller crowd is essential to collect positive experiences and little successes, which help you move on.

Think of reaching your bigger goals as if they were staircases – take it one step at a time. If you try to jump several steps ahead, your chances of losing balance and falling increase.

4. Find a balance between short-term and long-term happiness

Even if watching a good show on Netflix makes me happy, I don’t want to focus all my free time binge-watching series. That would only satisfy my short-term happiness.

But on the other hand, we also want to:

Your optimal happiness lies somewhere in the middle of short-term and long-term happiness. Focus exclusively on one, and you’ll lose.

If you want to do more of the things that make you happy, it’s important to be aware of this delicate balance.

5. Track your happiness and practice gratitude

Back in 2013, I started tracking my happiness every day. This has since turned into my most valuable habit, as it allows me to see exactly what things make me the happiest.

Every day, I rate my happiness on a scale from 1 to 100. In addition, I write down the things I did that added to my happiness.

In other words, I know exactly what I need to do more of I want to be happy. While this may sound nerdy, it does help me in a lot of situations. If I’m not sure what to do to be happier, I just need to ask my happiness diary and I find the answer.

If you want to try tracking happiness for yourself, here’s how to get started:

Copy My LIFE-CHANGING Journaling Routine

Receive the FREE 9-page e-book of my journaling routine that will help you reach your goals, structure your life, and sleep better!

6. Try something new every once in a while

In order to broaden your horizons and live a more interesting life, you need to keep an open mind. Be ready to try new things despite initial dislike. If you find you don’t like something, that’s fine, but don’t knock it till you try it.

I try not to only do things that I know make me happy. To mix things up, I also try to do something new that I think will make me happy.

I’ve discovered some new hobbies in my life this way, most notably skateboarding. I skated from age 7 to 13 but eventually lost interest. Eventually, in 2019, I finally decided to try it out again. I went to a local skatepark and spent the entire day trying to land kickflips.

Was it slightly embarrassing, as a 26-year-old (an “adult”), to be amongst a handful of scooter kids that were barely 11-years old? You betcha.

But man, I had so much fun. In fact, ever since that first time at that skatepark, I quickly learned how much I loved it in the first place. As I’m writing this, I’m still going back to the skatepark at least once a week, and it makes me extremely happy.

7. Treat your happiness as if it is a garden

Your happiness is like a garden – it has to be tended. Otherwise, weeds can settle back in.

And the longer you let them grow, the harder it is for you to clean up and rebuild your clean and tidy garden. Happiness is the same way. The longer we postpone doing the things that make you happy, the harder it feels to feel happy at all. So continue evaluating yourself for negative patterns, address them as you find them, and stay happy on top of your happiness.

We’ve written dozens of helpful articles that teach you how to be happy. Here you’ll find amazing tips on how you can tend your garden of happiness.

Wrapping up

Doing things that make you happy will make you more successful, productive and likely to succeed. It’s really that simple. But you need to find a sustainable balance between short-term and long-term happiness. I hope this article has shown you actionable ways to do more of what makes you happy in a responsible way.

Did I miss something? Is there something that never fails to make you happy? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer

Founder of Tracking Happiness and lives in the Netherlands. Ran 5 marathons, with one of them in under 4 hours (3:59:58 to be exact). Data junkie and happiness tracker for over 7 years.

6 Reasons Why You’re Not Doing What Actually Makes You Happy

Craig founded Lifestyle Outlaws, with the belief that everyone should have the time, money and health to do what they want with life. Read full profile

There are many things in life that make you happy, and there are many things that have the opposite effect. If you’re careful to focus on what makes you happy and decide to go out there and do it, then your quality of life can improve dramatically.

This article will list some of the reasons why people don’t do the things that make them happy as well as challenge you at the end.

1) You Think Just One Thing Will Make You Happy

Many people seem to think that doing what makes you happy means finding this one elusive “thing” that will forever make them happy. The truth is that life is about balance; many things will make you happy. My personal list includes 12 activities that I love to do, and they all make me happy.

Happiness is simply an emotion that you feel which can last a few seconds or a few hours. The key is to have lots of things that make you happy and make the most of them as they surface throughout the day. These can be as subtle as receiving a smile from a loved one or getting thanked at work. They don’t have to be activities you dedicate hours to each day.

2) You’ve Been Taught To Be Happy All The Time

No one on this earth feels happy all the time. Life is full of ups and downs and it’s healthy to experience a range of emotions while attempting to have more positive experiences in your life.

Dancing usually makes me happy; however, I also struggle with the motivation to improve, and this isn’t always fun. I can feel frustrated as I learn and grow, wanting instant results but knowing that this isn’t the way the world works. What you really want is activities that makes you happy most of the time or you’ll never learn and grow.

3) You’re Afraid Of What Others Will Think

It’s surprising but most people don’t think about you half as much as you believe they do. They’re too worried wondering what you think about them.

It’s your life and you get to choose what makes you happy–no one else. Aside from breaking the law or other dodgy behavior, you must decide to do what makes you happy no matter what others think. And generally, when you do the things that make you happy you’ll find out you were more afraid of your imagination than their true reaction anyway.

4) You Don’t Know If You Can Do It

Trying something new is always going to push your comfort zone. There is a time when everyone starts to learn something new and they suck at it. Every great, good or mediocre musician, actor, dancer, business person and sports star has failed along the way of their journey.

Feeling happy is not about the success of reaching a goal. Feeling happy is about the journey you take. It doesn’t matter whether or not you become the best in the world; it matters whether you enjoy the process (or at least most of it).

5) You Don’t Think You Have The Time

Being busy is perhaps the biggest excuse for not doing things that make you happy. But if you spend your life focusing on the things you think you have to do rather than the things you want to do, well, that’s a little backwards.

When you make the things you love doing a priority, then they get done. If you want to do a yoga class during your lunch hour but never seem to make it away from your desk, it’s time to evaluate your priorities. Where else in your life do you put everyone else ahead of what you truly want as well?

6) You Think You’re Going To Live Forever

Life is short and you wake up each morning with a decision. Either you’re going to do things that make you happy or you’re going to scrape through another day in survival mode. Once you start doing more things that make you happy, your life will get a whole lot brighter.

Stop putting off your dreams for a day that will probably never come. As Steve Jobs said:

“I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

It’s Time To Do What Makes You Happy

No one else is going to create your life for you. You can decide whether to fill your life with things that make you happy or constantly put them off for another day. In Steve Jobs case, it’s lucky that he lived his life to the hilt, as it was cut short far too early. This can happen to anyone.

What’s one thing that you could do today that would make you happy? It doesn’t have to be huge, but it has to be something. Even if it takes just a few minutes, you’ve started to build a happiness habit that will last a lifetime.

How To Be Happy: 12 Things You Should Do Today

To some, happiness always stays by their side. What makes happiness magical is that it can be anything or nothing.

If you know it well, it is everything. If you misunderstand it, it is always out of reach, despite the 10-digit in your bank account.

We may think that richness means happiness, but it isn’t. We may think happiness is a constant emotional stage, but it isn’t. We may think happiness is a goal, but it isn’t.

Everyone has a different definition of happiness, but there is one thing that always holds true and is universal to “everyone’s happiness” – happiness never rejects us.

Most of us aren’t happy because what we believe about happiness is false.

We live in such a fast-paced world where nothing ever seems to be good enough, fast enough, affordable enough, or attractive enough. Money, jobs, people, flashy things, new tech items, and success take the reigns for what most of us look to at some point to find happiness.

If you think back to the times you were the happiest because of no ulterior motives or external factors, you’d likely see that what truly brought joy to your heart was something much different than what it’s now made out to be in the world. Happiness exists all the time within us, it’s just taking the proper steps to actually find it again.

While we stress that happiness lies right inside of us, external factors do play a part. For example, personal satisfaction goes up with income and fame. It is easily imaginable.

But it is not an incremental game. The return of personal satisfaction is diminishing as we achieve certain level of income and fame. The happiness level will eventually flat out and no longer goes up. Having 100 million or 110 million means no difference to us at that point.

To make things worse, we will soon be used to the satisfaction gained from money and fame. They just can’t feed our appetite.

Therefore, after all, the strongest predictor of happiness is not money, or any external recognition through success or fame. It’s having meaningful social relationships and spiritual contentment.

Happiness makes NO discrimination.

Remember what has just been said? Happiness is not consistent. We have to boost it from time to time. In fact, happiness does not discriminate any one of us. We all can reach happiness irrespective of who we are and what we do.

A study conducted in 1978 investigated whether the background of a person does anything with the number of good days. There are three distinct groups of people to be studied, lottery winners, typical douchebags and those with injuries rendering them paraplegic or quadriplegic. Supposedly, lottery winners ought to have the most good days. Yet, interestingly, all groups recorded similar number of good days versus bad days.

So, it’s all about prioritising happiness with the tiny things we can do daily. There’s nothing to do with how much we have and what we have lost.

Happiness comes from the smallest things you do daily.

1. Get outside more.

What’s the difference between indoor and outdoor rather than the probability to face a sudden drizzle? It’s sunlight!

What sunlight does to us is that it gives us Vitamin D. Vitamin D acts like a hormone in the body and is naturally found in the sun’s rays, therefore, natural sunlight is one of the most powerful tools we have that we can use to feel better quickly. It’s been proven that those with depression or constant sadness have low Vitamin D levels in their body.

Since we work indoors all day and are not exposed to Vitamin D like people once were ages ago, we need to make a point to get some outside time each day. If you have the option to work outside, definitely take advantage of that.

If not, try to go outside at least 15 minutes each day. You may also look into taking a Vitamin D supplement to increase your levels naturally. Look for Vitamin D3 when possible which is easier for the body to absorb than Vitamin D2.

2. Find new experience.

Novelty is important in our daily life to freshen ourselves. It reminds us of the fact we are not living in an infinite loop – Working. Weekend. Working. Weekend.

A new experience brings excitement to us, making our life less dull and tedious. It can be anything.

We may join a new club in weekends. New activities will do the work. We can also be brave to meet some new people. It can be anyone. Colleagues from another department. Friend of a friend.

We may also explore new hobbies. Simply look for anything that we have never attempted and do it! Even if it doesn’t fit us, it’s fine. We can stop and turn to another one.

Remember, our life is like a bowl of salad. Freshness is really important.

3. Exercise for 7 minutes every day. (Yes 7 minutes only!)

Daily exercise is best for stimulating brain power and engaging neurotransmitters in the brain that help produce more serotonin and natural endorphins, but even a few times a week will make a difference. In other words, it clears our minds and keeps us motivated.

This one step naturally helps you feel happier even if things in your life aren’t going as well as you’d like them to be.

Even walking outside can be counted towards your goal, but more vigorous exercise is even better.

While we all know it is difficult to spare time out of our tightly-stuffed schedule, try to squeeze 7 minutes out of it at the very least. For example, we may take an alternative route to walk back home.

Or, if we are taking public transport, why not get off one stop sooner? There’s always a way to do it.

4. Smile wherever whenever.

Ever heard of a deutsche smile? It means a genuine smile so bright that our eyebrows are subconsciously raised. A true great smile definitely melts people’s heart.

And what keeps us from making a creepy smile? Practice! Yes, smiling needs practice.

Try to smile more. It can be done anytime. On our way to home. When a colleague greets us. Or even when we are looking at ourselves in the mirror. We can practice smiling anywhere anytime. Don’t be shy. We can do it!

5. Sleep enough.

Sometimes everything is done right but we just feel wrong. Say, we finally finish the long project and there are only days away from our long-awaited vacations. But we just do not feel as hyped as expected. What went wrong?

While we are working so hard on the project, we may have overlooked the importance of the average 5 hour of sleep every day. And this is what makes the difference. Sleeping is not only involved in our physical well-being. It contributes to our mental health too.

In fact, a good night’s sleep can help in raising creativity and attention. We may want to cut our sleep one hour short to get things done. But it may turn out that it takes double the time for our drowsy brain to do the work!

I know vacation is short and we always want more time awake to have fun. But we still need to balance the time on bed and the time outside. So, snooze your alarm and bury our head into the pillow!

6. Eat right.

Make it a goal to add more fresh foods into your meals, and skip the fast food and junk foods with sugar. Sugar and processed foods, (along with fast foods high in harmful fats), force the body to work harder and also increase insulin levels that can lead to diabetes and imbalanced neurological function.

On top of your new healthy meals that you’re eating, add some probiotic-rich foods to your menu. Probiotics help repopulate the good with beneficial bacteria that the body uses to produce more feel-good hormones and keep you healthy. The brain and gut are directly connected, and it’s been shown that those who have a healthy gut feel less stressed and also suffer less anxiety and depression. Try to eat more plain yogurt, kefir and even kimchi.

Start to avoid alcohol. Alcohol decreases mood-boosting hormones in the body as it leaves the system and also hurts the liver (as you most likely already know), which can interfere with the body’s natural detoxifying abilities. Start making it a goal to only have one drink per week or a small glass of red wine with dinner. If you can’t handle stopping at that point, it might be time to seek help.

7. Buy less.

Materialistic way of living is really tough. We always have something to chase after. And after we get it, something new has shown up in the market. It’s true that we can get satisfaction from having the luxurious items. But it’s even more important not to be led by them. There are simply too many things to catch. So many that we shouldn’t even consider catching them.

There is one important lesson to learn in life and it can change our life.

Live with what we have. Look at what we’ve got but not what we haven’t. What we have in hand is permanent. Things out of hand are just mirage.

8. De-clutter your life.

This can mean many things to individuals, and it’s often a hard thing for us to think about and do, but it’s critical. You might have a so-called friend who puts you down all the time, a family member that hurts you, a boyfriend or girlfriend that doesn’t treat you right, or maybe even a boss that takes advantage of you. Or, maybe none of those apply, and your diet or bad habits are just hurting you in more ways than one.

Think about things in your life that cause you pain and distress, even if those things may seem okay and manageable some days. Whatever does not serve your future or road to happiness, learn to let it go.

Write this down if you need to and take actions to learn to let go of these things. This might mean telling a person who treats you poorly that you need to move on, it might mean changing jobs, and it might just mean re-hauling your diet or stopping the late nights out drinking.

Whatever it is, start to let go of what does not serve. This is one of the most important things you’ll do when learning how to be happy for life. It’s also a valuable tool you can use for the rest of your life that will help you stay accountable of your life and not engage in things that hurt you rather than help you.

9. Connect with a friend every day or week.

Sometimes, we just need to talk to someone who isn’t at the office or that’s not our parents. If you’re not usually one to be social (my fellow introverts will understand this completely!), then make it an attempt to meet with someone this week to chat. It’s nice to just have a conversation with someone you trust and care about even if you don’t talk about anything heavy-hearted.

Go for coffee, out to eat, or whatever else you enjoy. Or, ask a friend to join you for one of the workouts you’re now doing! When you finally manage to connect with a friend, you can immediately see changes have been made.

10. Have quality time with family.

Be very careful about quality time against quantity time. This makes a HUGE difference. Merely staying at your house with your family while doing things on your own is hardly quality time. Even if you spend an entire week doing it, it simply doesn’t help.

Try having deep conversation instead. Not about anecdotes. But something that is hidden in your heart which is rarely talked about. Family members are the closest ties we have and letting them know more about you is important.

You can relieve your stress and feel loved with the affection they express. You can also build self-esteem through the unlimited support they give us. It is just far more worth than finishing the whole season of TV series on Netflix.

11. Record what you think.

One thing that can help us live a happier life is that we are constantly aware of our thoughts and emotions. We have to understand ourselves more before we can take a step forward to make changes. Using paper and pen is one way to record our daily thoughts. It can be anything that triggers us. Realising what we have in mind can keep track of our emotional state and understand if we are having the prime of our time or on the downhill.

If you aren’t a fan of writing. Gadgets can also do the work. There’s an APP called Moodtrack Diary: Social Mood Tracker & Mood Tracking Journal that reminds you that you can be happy all the time and to appreciate your life more.

12. Build your resilience.

Resilience is important for dealing with hard issues, and it can help make happiness come more easily over the long-term. Maybe this means listening to an inspirational podcast on your way to work or some music while you make dinner. Or, maybe it’s to stop in a bookstore you enjoy during your lunch break, or spend Saturday morning making yourself something special for breakfast. Take actionable steps to really focus on enjoying your day-to-day life more as you continue making changes.

We all have our defeated times. What’s important is that we need to embrace the failure and learn from it. Keep in mind that it is perfectly fine to fail at something. Don’t treat failure as a defeat. More precisely, it is a procedure for us to grow.

Resilient people are always able to find a silver lining or two in the darkest days. Things may look extremely rough at first sight but there is always something hidden within that is worth celebrating. Instead of focusing so hard on the wound, try looking at the areas that are healthy and intact.

Start with the small changes, and happiness will become handy.

Life is an ongoing process of trail-and-error. If you don’t even encounter any error part, you have never really lived your life.

There will surely be down times throughout your life, but by learning how to deal with those times, you’re getting closer to happiness. It’s all about how you live your journey that keeps you happy.

20 Hard Things You Need to Do to Be Happy

Written by Marc Chernoff // 139 Comments

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

You have to do hard things to be happy in life. The things no one else is doing. The things that frighten you. The things others can’t do for you. The things that make you question how much longer you can hold on and push forward.

Because those are the things that define you. Those are the things that make the difference between existing and living – between knowing the path and walking the path – between a life of mediocrity and a life filled with happiness and success.

Of course, the hard things are often the easiest things to avoid. To procrastinate. To make excuses. To pretend like they somehow don’t apply to you and your life situation.

But reality always rears its head in the end. And the truth about how ordinary people achieve immense happiness and incredible feats of success is that they step out of their comfort zones and do the hard things that their more educated, affluent and qualified counterparts don’t have the courage, drive or determination to do.

So for your own sake, start doing the hard things TODAY. I guarantee, you will be blown away at just how remarkable you really are and just how amazing life can be. Here are some ideas to get you started:

The floor is yours…

What else would you add to the list? What’s one hard thing you do that makes you happier? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.