Happiness is something every human aspires to have, but find it difficult to maintain. As I grow older, I have come to realize that life can smack you in the face sometimes. It comes full of good and bad; and occasionally, the bad appears to outweigh the good.

A few months ago I realized, as life swarmed me with abrupt negativity, just how easy it is to forget how to be happy; so I made a list of ways to stay happy. Not only did I make a list, I kept it. This article is literally a list of things I do to keep myself happy.

1. Begin your day with a smile

Waking up in the morning may be hard, but smiling is not. While getting ready for your day in the morning, smile at yourself. A smile is a natural sign of happiness and positive energy in the body; so why not make it the start of your day? Let your smile serve as encouragement for how you want your day to go.

2. Focus on the now

Thinking about the future can only be overwhelming and thinking about the past is redundant. Focus on what is going on in present time.

What am I doing?

Am I doing my best?

What can I improve myself?

Those are questions in the present. It is important to realize where in life you can do better and proceed in improving daily.

3. Love yourself

Often times, it is easier to notice what you're doing wrong; but be kind to yourself. Make sure to give yourself credit for what you are doing right. Self-love does not always come easy, and sometimes it requires a lot of evaluation. Look at yourself honestly an acknowledge your worth. Take care of your mental and physical health, allowing time to focus and center the mind and body.

4. Learn to let go

Let go of the little things, and focus on the bigger picture. Forgive yourself and work on being better. Carrying around all the negativity of a day can weigh anyone down, not to mention that of years. You may have to start slowly; but in the end you'll be a little happier.