Life can get pretty hectic at times, and it can be hard to make time for yourself. I know I often get dragged down by all the negatives, and I forget to see the positives each day has to offer. It’s a really beautiful world we live in and we owe it to ourselves to enjoy life and take in all it gives us. Now I’m not saying you should spend too much time with this. For instance, if you are really crammed I wouldn’t suggest an hour long massage at a spa (although that would be amazing). We don’t always have time to do the big stuff, which is why the little stuff is so important. I’ve learned that just by doing a few things each day, you can avoid being bogged down by stress and school and anything else that may be standing in the way of your perfect happiness.
I would recommend starting each day as what it is: NEW. Whatever happened yesterday does not need to be wasting time in your head today. And what needs to happen tomorrow will get done. So don’t dwell on it. Each day should bring its own positive attitude with it. Smile, laugh, enjoy it. If it ends up being a rough day, look for the positives and move on. You get to start all over tomorrow.
Live for life, not likes. I’m guilty of this myself: missing out on a moment because I wanted to capture it for social media. It’s something I’m really trying to reign in because I found myself living through my camera’s eyes, not my own. Life is so beautiful, and sometimes it needs to stay beautiful by not tampering with it through a camera lens for a post. Take the time to enjoy the people you’re with or the scene you’re looking at. Not the time to post it in the moment.
Pray. I’ve recently set an alarm on my phone to remind me to stop what I’m doing and pray. I’ve already seen a tremendous difference in my everyday life. Prayer is a form of “you time” that is unlike any other because you’re bringing God into it. It can calm you, relieve you, change your attitude about a situation, the list is endless. We don’t always have retreats and adoration right at our fingertips. But prayer is free. Prayer needs no time limits. It can be done in one minute, or throughout an entire day.
Pamper yourself a little each day. Paint your nails, fix your hair differently, take a bubble bath, watch an episode or two on Netflix. These little rewards to yourself will make you feel great. If you’re in a bad mood or a rough situation, take a hot shower or a bubble bath to get your mind off of it. Light your favorite candle in your room to lift you up out of that rotten attitude. Buy flowers for yourself. That’s something I do all the time. It makes you feel great and brings nature into your room if you find yourself stuck inside more than you would prefer.
Stay really organized, however, it works for you. One thing I love is writing everything in my planner and calendar, then crossing it off when I finish. Maybe that’s not how you work. Find what helps you stay organized and do what needs to get done. I like to buy fun planners and calendars to motivate me to stay on track and stay organized.
Eat good food. Whatever that means to you. Whether it’s a delicious burger, a yummy light salad, or your favorite type of kid’s cereal. Food actually gives us the same reaction in the brain as being happy. Good food = good mood. Remember that.
Listen to encouraging, positive music. I personally listen to K-LOVE (a Christian radio station) every day in the car, and I can’t even begin to explain the positive impact it has on me. I also love listening to a Spotify playlist called “Hanging out and Relaxing.” It’s really good, chill music that doesn’t send a bad message. The music you listen to can really change the mood you’re in. Why not make it a happy change?
That’s all I really have, and all of those things I try to live by every day. Starting each day with a positive attitude will change your life. Things won’t pile up on your shoulders, and you will feel lighter about life. You’ll stop feeling so negative, and start to open your eyes to see everything life has to offer.
