When you're going through something, it's easy to overlook the brighter side of things. Often we feel that life is obstacle after obstacle with no break or gleam of hope. But something that is often not realized is that happiness is not something that comes in the future after we reach some sort of goal. It isn't something we need to wait for and certainly isn't something you should be working particularly hard for. Happiness is something that needs to be picked up along the journey, and once this has been completed, the obstacles become simplified.

My life has presented me with many challenges that I've had to face alone. Often people hear about some of hardest life obstacles and will respond with, "Oh, I had no idea," or, "But you're always so happy," and that's probably my favorite thing to hear. It shows me that the little things I do day to day to make me happy are actually greatly impacting my life! So, I'd like to share with you eight of the small things I do that have made a big difference in my daily life.

1. Journaling

I started journaling about two years ago and I've probably already filled up 3 to 4 of them. There is just something so satisfying to me about sitting down at the end of each day and compiling my actions and thoughts of the day into a clear and concise journal entry. Sometimes I don't even realize how I felt about something somebody said or something that happened until I'm forced to write it out. It's helped me to face problems instead of brushing them off, and write out some of the hardest decisions I've had to make. I also make the pages pretty and often decorate the pages with stickers and little drawings to make it a little interesting for myself when I go back and read them in the future.

2. Planning adventures

Whenever I even start to feel like I'm in a funk, I whip out a pencil and paper and start listing possibilities for places to travel and things to do. I'll ask my friends what's local that we could do for a weekend, or better yet I'll begin to plan a road trip or mini vacation. I currently have plans for road trips and solo vacations in the works for the future and even though they are going to have to be put off a bit, the idea of them alone has me excited for the future and eager to save up my money.

3. Meditation

To quote Voltaire, “Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.” Sleep is truly the only time when your daily stressors and thoughts aren't running through your head and weighing heavily on you; But this isn't enough. You need time in your day when you are self-aware but clear headed and at peace. I start my meditation by burning incense and lighting a few candles. I put on peaceful music or nature sounds and of course make sure I'm alone and in a quiet place. I sit on the floor and sit up as straight as I can, as if I'm being held up by a string on the top of my head. I find that keeping my eyes open helps me to be more self-aware, and I stare about two to three feet in front of me. Clearing your head will take practice, but once you can do this, you'll feel like you can move mountains. But before you decide you want to meditate, please ask yourself why, and then always remember that reason. It'll help you a lot to stick to it.

4. Meeting new people

My friends and family are and always will be enough for me. Without them I would be quite lost. However there is just something so beautiful about meeting new people. It's partially why I plan so many adventures and have such a bad case of wanderlust. I have learned so much about life and myself from other people. I love getting to know them and their outlook on things. I love hearing about their dreams and ambitions and feeling motivated by them. But mainly, life is a lot easier when you have the love and support of many beautiful souls. You'll never feel alone, and you'll always have someone to talk to, and this is what life is all about.

5. Forgiveness

This will seem a bit out of place and highly specific, but it's relevant to the article. Most of my life I've had issues with forgiving people who have wronged me and often held grudges. This included both friends and family. The problem with this is that it's the equivalent to latching onto a cloud of negative energy as well as harboring further negative energy whenever you as much as think of the person who had wronged you. I'm not saying that you need to go back to being best friends with someone who potentially stabbed you in the back, but you need to learn to let things go. Don't forget, because they have potential of hurting you again. Be on guard. However, learn to be the bigger person and keep the peace with them. Accept them into your life again as they've probably known they've done wrong, regardless, let bygones be bygones.

6. Giving over receiving

Material items are great. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the store and treating myself to clothes or makeup. But I've learned that it's more satisfying for me to purchase something at the store for someone else than it is to purchase something for myself. Spending money on others never makes me feel the guilt I feel when I waste money on some silly material possession I don't need. I've seen this theory in action in other scenarios too, such as when I make friendship bracelets. The process takes me a very long time and it would make sense to want to reward myself for my hard work and wear the bracelet; however, it always feels better and makes me happier when I give it to someone else.

7. Stay busy.

I always feel the most down and urge to just take a nap when I'm not doing anything. I used to take a nap every single day. Within the same day I would sleep as late as noon. This is the day that would end very quickly and very unfulfilled. To wake up early with a schedule of things to do is the day that will leave me feeling accomplished. Even though a day full of plans can seem exhausting at times, it's actually the type of day that I feel most alive and energized. Without a chance to lay around and be lazy, there is no opportunity. Whenever I get a free moment, I immediately find an activity that isn't just sleeping or just watching TV. Sure, I'll put the TV on in the background, but I make sure I'm doing something like tidying up or doing some sort of craft.

8. Be silly.

I have been known to rarely take anything seriously. I mean, my motto is, "Laugh so you don't cry." So I've found coping with life to be a lot easier when you're a lot more laid back and able to find the humor in every obstacle you face. If it rains, go splash in the puddles. If you have put yourself in the position of writing an entire research paper in one night (like we all have), crank some jams, accept your fate and just find the light in it. Whatever you're doing, if you aren't having a good time, figure out a way. There's always a way. If you embarrass yourself or look like a child in the process, you're definitely doing it right.