25 Small Ways To Be Happier This Year and Beyond

25 Small Ways To Be Happier This Year And Beyond

I’ve found the last few years a real challenge. Since Den and I married in 2016, it’s like the Universe declared, ‘Well Janine, here’s a crapload of challenges!’

The last few years have tested my resilience and strength, my beliefs and values, some friendships (which didn’t cut the mustard), and my marriage. (I’m thankful that my husband and I passed the test).

Throughout this tough time, I’ve chosen to focus on reframing the tough times into more of a positive because sometimes the crappy life stuff can just weigh us down, and sometimes we all need little reminders that life in its entirety is awesome and that among the life’s challenges there is also a lot of goodness.

So here are 25 small things we can all do to be happier this year and beyond. It’s a simple list of things to do, things to try, things to change, and things to pay mindful attention to.

Spend time with positive people who lift you and make your heart sing, rather than the opposite
Start small and change one thing in your life
Practice forgiveness often, even of yourself. Sometimes we can be our own worst critic
Don’t be so judgey… and if people judge you, ignore them. They aren’t worth your time or mental space
Unplug often
Chuck in the diet. Quit ‘cleanses’ and ‘detoxes’. Throw out the scales. 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!
Spend more quality time with your loved ones, with little kids and with older people
Pay yourself a compliment each and every day, and then extend that to other people.
Pay it forward. Random acts of kindness are the bomb!
Let go of anger
Learn something new. Take up a new hobby, enrol in a course, join a club or teach yourself something you’ve always wanted to learn!
Tell others you love them, often
Learn to live in the present moment. After all, that’s where life happens
Go gentle on yourself. You deserve loving kindness and gentleness
When you read something on Facebook, don’t read too much into it, and don’t presume you know what is happening. Furthermore, don’t take it personally. After all, you don’t know what the person thinks as you are not inside their head! Before you think, take it personally, or say something about someone, take a step back, breathe, and close Facebook
If you aren’t living a life you love, then start building it now
Focus on the positive. If that means turning off the news and acting all ‘ignorant-like’ then so be it. There is nothing wrong with that
We’re all super-busy, and life can get in the way, so schedule some fun. Once you do it enough, you’ll realise how much fun having fun is, and you’ll do it more often!
Make self-care your priority. Here are 64 ideas to help you your to do just that
Celebrate the tiny things, the little moments and the small wins
Practice gratitude daily
Embrace and own whatever age you’re turning this year. This year I turn 42 (eek!).
Be mindful and slow down in everything you do
Listen to your own discomfort and embrace saying no
Excuse my French, but it’s time to practice giving fewer fucks. When you stop giving a fuck, life will become so much easier, and you will become so much happier, believe me!

“If you’re struggling, you deserve to make self-care a priority. Whether that means lying in bed all day, eating comfort food, putting off homework, crying, sleeping, rescheduling plans, finding an escape through a good book, watching your favorite tv show, or doing nothing at all — give yourself permission to put your healing first. Quiet the voice telling you to do more and be more, and today, whatever you do, let it be enough. Feel your feelings, breathe, and be gentle with yourself. Acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can to cope and survive. And trust that during this time of struggle, it’s enough.”

— Daniell Koepke