We will never truly achieve happiness because there is always room for change. With change comes great addition to our lives and also the subtraction of negativity. This messy guide is here to help you make just that. Because we deserve to have some if not all happiness in our lives.
Trust the universe: Absolutely everything in your life has purpose. The people you meet often turn into people who teach you a lesson, play you a song that becomes your favorite, or even become more: a lover, a best friend, a colleague, someone worthy of your trust and love.
Buy yourself something you love: I don’t mean that you should be materialistic; know here that there is a fine line between buying something that you love that will enhance your overall feelings and extend the happiness of your life and those purchases we make because we want to fill a certain mold or we want to be more like others. Buy stuff for yourself that makes you happy. One of my purchases are these pens from Staples called “Opti-flow.” They are the best pens to journal with and make me happy.
Take an art class: Everyone is artistic. Everyone has a story to tell whether if it’s in a form of a painting, a letter, or a graphic. Express yourself. Visit the Art museum and register to take a class. If you live in the Richmond area, the Virginia Fine Arts Museum offers plenty of classes at reasonable prices this summer.
Planning: Yes, I trust that the world gives me what I need when it’s supposed to be mine. But at the same time, planning is in my nature. I need to have a game plan; it’s the only way to ensure my sanity. So make plans 1-year plans, and 10-year plans. Just know that it most likely will not go as planned but that is okay as long as you know where you started and where you want to go. Plan a few steps to help you get there and otherwise enjoy the journey!
You are what you eat: Food has the power to make us happy and fill the voids in our lives. Eating your feelings is a real thing. Identify the reasons you are unhappy and adjust the way you are eating. Health is so important and a major factor of happiness that we often forget. I know in the media right now the big thing is “love who you are, love your flaws and your curves,” but I think you just have to know when your body is unhealthy and make adjustments.
Inspire yourself: I hardly ever compare myself to others. The key to inspiring yourself is to do all the things you love. We compare ourselves to others because we are jealous and we wish we were them. Stop comparing and be inspired! Stop being a hater of the success of others. Instead of saying, “Wow, she's doing everything I should be doing,” take a look at yourself and say, "What can I do? How can I change so that I can accomplish my dreams and be happy and inspire others to follow theirs?"
Be ambitious: Cant stress this enough...have ambition. Don’t be a conformist. Question everything. This is the only way to truly achieve your dreams. When all you do is work to get what you want. Change your approach every time; your plans are affected by outside factors. Do not surrender, but instead, accomplish.
Load yourself with personal projects: Just because maybe you are not studying what you love does not mean you cannot work on it. Find people who can help you discover what it is that you love and start developing that craft. Film a documentary. Build your own website. Start taking photographs. Start writing. Start making YouTube videos. Give your personal projects love and dedication.
Be understanding: People are human and people make mistakes. YOU make mistakes. Know that people f*ck up sometimes and it's okay.
Expect nothing in relationships: By relationships, I mean those with your parents, your friends, your best friends, your lovers, not just the ones with your bf/gf. Just be carefree when it comes to relationships. People change and the key to loving others is to be understanding and love people regardless of what they give you.
Make food for the ones you love: Cooking for the people I care about is important to me. It’s a great way to show your appreciation for them. The best part of cooking is that then you get to eat with them!
To go: Get your food to go and enjoy your meals outdoors with friends!
You are whole: Realize that you are enough for this world. You are what you make of yourself.
Happiness will not happen overnight. I don’t even think we will ever be truly happy because we are always wishing we had another life or were somebody else. But we can work hard to be happy with ourselves and the way we live if we start making changes!
