"It’s a paradox, really. If you spend all of your time searching for happiness you will never find it."

Henry David Thoreau said, “Happiness is like a butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.”

Happiness comes from a sense of fulfillment and achievement. It comes from acceptance and belonging and love. The difference is that all of these things do not appear as a result of searching for happiness. They appear as a result of living, and trying to live. Here are just a few ways to simply make you a happier you.

1. Buy lace underwear and model it around at home. You are a goddess -- own it.

2. Realize that if somebody can not see your worth, does not mean it is not there.

3. Pamper yourself. Fill the tub with hot water. Throw in a bath bomb. Exfoliate.

4. Play your favorite childhood tunes and scream them at the top of your lungs.

5. Remember situations from your past and realize that they are not a big deal anymore.

6. Go for a walk on your own. Walk aimlessly without a finish line and only return home when you are tired and ready. Take your time.

7. Doodle all over a piece of paper.

8. Buy yourself some beautiful flowers. This one needs no explanation.

9. Clean bed sheets are always a good idea.

10. Take a nap. Naps work wonders.

11. Take a second to really look in the mirror everyday. Admire your imperfections. Each time find something to compliment yourself on. Maybe today you like your hair but don't enjoy the shape of your hips, and that's ok because tomorrow you may be a mess but you look great in those new jeans.

12. Learn to love yourself.

13. Bake cookies, just to eat the leftover cookie dough with your fingers. Everybody knows that is the best part of baking.

14. Forgive yourself for mistakes or slips you have had in your life.

15. Forgive those who have hurt you. I promise you it will make you breathe easier.

16. Learn it is ok to say no.

17. Understand instead of judging.

18. Stop obsessing over what other people think. It's none of your business.

19. Stand up for yourself.

20. Accept yourself.

Life is always whirling around you and taking the road you most definitely didn't know was there. Sometimes we wish we could just pause for a second to breathe. Sometimes things just don't feel right. Sometimes we believe this is the happiest we will ever be. Whatever you are feeling right now, know you are doing way better than you think.