The last few years have been a real challenge.
With my husband losing his job a few times, periods of living on one part-time wage and then working 3 jobs and running a business, and the loss of a family member and my dearly beloved pooch, the last few years have tested me.
However, I am incredibly thankful to have the support of my wonderful husband, family and close friends. I am also grateful that I continue to be able to smile, laugh and see the positives in life – because there are many!
In starting a new year (and decade!), I’m choosing to focus on the positive because, truth is told, sometimes the icky stuff can drag us down no matter how hard we try.
And sometimes, we all need some little reminders that life in its entirety is awesome and that amongst life’s challenges, there’s a whole lot of goodness to look forward to.
Here are 20 Small Ways To Be Happier This Year
- Spend time with people who lift you and make your heart sing
- Practice gratitude daily
- Instead of taking photos and selfies with your phone, put it away and savour the moments and memories
- Celebrate the small things and the small wins
- Tell others you love them, often
- Accept that when you go clothes shopping, the sizes of clothes and the mirrors and lighting in change rooms are … ridiculous, and love yourself as you are!
- Be gentle with yourself
- Volunteer for a cause close to your heart
- Learn to be more mindful and live in the moment
- Focus on the positive. If that means turning off the news and acting all ‘ignorant-like’ then so be it
- Give more hugs
- Make self-care your priority. Here are 64 ideas to help you on your way
- Learn to say no – it’s incredibly liberating!
- Remember to breathe
- Book some time off from work. If you want to spend a week at home in your pyjamas doing nothing, so be it! Otherwise, go somewhere you haven’t been before for a few days. If you can’t afford much, try being a tourist in your city – you will be amazed at what you can uncover!
- Do more of what you love and what makes you happy
- Spend time outdoors ‘nature bathing‘ – using all five of your senses, listen to the birds singing, taste, smell and breath the fresh air, feel the bark on the trees, and feel the stress melt away (N.B. leave your phone indoors)
- Learn something new
- Get organised – this is in everything from what you are going to wear to work each week to meal prepping, decluttering, scheduling and getting on top of your life admin
- Schedule some fun – because as adults, we can sometimes forget to have it.
What steps are you going to take to be happier this year? Do any of these take your fancy? Or do you have some ideas of your own? Why not write your list?
