If you say you are happy, but you still gossip about everyone you know, then you aren't really happy. All that time you spend wallowing in your own misery is time you are wasting; you could be doing a million better things. One of those things is starting on your way to being happier. Happy is healthy. Happy is better. Happy is YOU.
Here is a little guide that has helped me on my way to becoming a happier person and I think it could help you, too.
1. Admit when you are wrong. It really isn't that hard and it is going to help you stop holding so many grudges. We all make mistakes because no one is perfect. So just accept that, say you messed up, and move on.
2. Stop comparing yourself to other people. Nobody likes to be around someone who is always wishing they were like someone else. You have the goods you have. Start cherishing them. People obviously like you for you, so stop trying to be anything but you.
3. Act happy. Have you ever been around someone who was always down in the dumps? I bet you didn't really like being near that person for too long. We make our own happiness. Even if you have to tell yourself that you're having a great day when you know it isn't true, do it. You have to give good vibes to get good vibes.
4. Be honest. When you know you need to change something, stop coming up with excuses and just do it. If your friend needs some advice (even if it may be hard to say), say it. You won't regret helping yourself and the people that you surround yourself with.
5. Surround yourself with people that you want to be with. Don't hang out with the same old crowd just because you are scared of being alone. People come to the hardest realizations when they put themselves in a quiet room alone. There are so many ways to go out and meet new people. Do it. If you are friends with too many Negative Nancys, talk some sense into them or start to branch out.
6. Try new things. Do you hear very many stories of people who were doing the same old things and discovered something amazing? I don't hear very many of those stories. Go skydiving. Go snowboarding. Go for a bike ride. You might meet new people and you won't regret getting out of your comfort zone.
7. Say hi to more people. Ask people how their day is going. Spread kindness and you will receive kindness. You will also feel a lot better by knowing you may have made someone's day. And if you have seen them around or in one of your classes, that's even more of a reason to say hello or offer a smile. They are free to give and receive and are way more significant than any materialistic item.
8. Stop letting one thing change how you react to everything. Bad things happen and with bad things come tragedy. People learn. We move on and we shake it off. For every three bad things, there are usually three good things to follow. Keep your head up and power through it. When you stereotype everything, you close your mind. You start being pessimistic. Be optimistic. Let yourself live and learn.
9. Tell people when they do something that isn't okay or that upsets you. If you bottle everything up and keep pent-up resentment and anger inside you, you can't live a happier life. Let people know what they need to fix, regardless of the consequences.
10. Mend old wounds. In the words of the great Demi Lovato, band-aids can't fix a heart, but they can start the healing process. Work on your broken pieces. Work on making them new again and forgiving and you will feel happier inside.
These are just some of my tips to get you on your way to a happier life. Put your pride on a shelf sometimes. Don't be afraid to ask for forgiveness, but don't be afraid to forgive, either. We can all be a little happier if we start presenting ourselves as happier. We may just need to fix a couple things first.
