10 ways to live a happier existence. Despite everything in the world today that I have no control over, here are the ways I remind myself to live a happier life.
1. Recognizing everyone is a human being.
This means everyone. Whether they are black, white, gay, straight, Muslim, Christian, a cop, a republican, a democrat--they are first and foremost, a human being. We have an idea, a stereotype, a LABEL we must put on someone because it’s easier to prejudice a label than a name. It’s easier to be hateful than to value. But hate is so all consuming and wasteful—happiness is leaving behind hatefulness.
2. Stop comparing.
Comparison truly is the thief of joy. We all have felt threatened or unprecedented bitterness towards someone before—not because they have wronged us, but because they are something we perhaps want to be or think we must be. We are all different. I’ve become happiest when I’ve accepted that I can VALUE someone else for who they are without detracting value from myself.
3. Numbers don’t matter.
Your ACT? Your GPA? Your AP score? Your grade in math? You’re not a number. That doesn’t mean not to try your best, but realize no test or number can truly tell your value. A price tag can’t really tell how valuable something could be to you---so why do we put them on people as though they can be measured? You can’t measure kindness, compassion, how funny you are, or even how intelligent you are. Cheesy as it is, those are priceless things.
4. Devote yourself to something.
Everyone needs their thing. Their outlet. Their passion. You need something to give your all to. Something that pushes you to be the best, the greatest, and the most motivated you can be. Something that on your bad days, gives you a healthy outlet to express yourself.
5. Have a guilty pleasure
Mine is "The Bachelor." It’s ridiculous and silly and dramatized…but after a bad day, I like sitting under a comfy blanket and watching a fake reality show. You need your escape, no matter how silly.
6. Treat yo self
Eating candy at midnight in your pjs, getting your nails done, buying those shoes, eating the extra piece of cake---you deserve it.
7. Loving the little things
I love when I check everything off my to-do list. I love when I’ve just showered and I get into bed to sleep. I love day when my eyebrows look good and I don’t have to re-pluck them. There’s a lot of times I’ll be in a bad mood because of one unfortunate (and most likely insignificant) event. In those moments I have to remind myself—it’s the little things.
8. Realizing social media is irrelevant
It doesn’t define you, it has no real world value, and you may be missing something beautiful right in front of your own eyes. If you don’t put it on social media—it can still have happened, you just got to enjoy it in person.
9. Loving yourself when you’re alone
You don’t need someone else to complete you. It’s time to learn to be happy in your alone moments and in the person you are when no one else is around.
10. Feel your feelings
I’ve become so much happier when I unapologetically allow myself to feel how I’m feeling. It’s okay to cry, or be angry, or yell, or even just pity yourself for a quick second. You have to feel them before you can accept and learn from them.
