Ten Habits of Happy People
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Ten Habits of Happy People

What does "happy" look like?

244
Ten Habits of Happy People

Over this past summer, I underwent a lot of personal growth (to say the least). Coming off of a bad breakup, a hard semester and a lot of emotional turbulence, I was faced with a choice. I had to learn how to be content with life despite the difficult circumstances thrown my way, or I would flounder. What I noticed when I looked around me, was that all of the people I perceived to be "happy," had many of the same things in common, and I wanted that. So recently, I too have tried to adapt what I have found to be the habits of happy people.

1) An attitude of gratitude.

People who are happy don't sit around thinking about how bad things are in their lives or how unfortunate the hand they've been dealt is. They look on the bright side and find gratitude in the smallest aspects of everyday life without even trying. I think that this is really the fundamental reason happy people are happy; they don't focus on the bad stuff.

2) They can laugh at their misfortune.

This one is so hard. People who are walking around genuinely happy, usually are able to look at the bad things happening to them and make light of the situation. Now, hindsight is usually 20/20 for me, but I'm working on being able to laugh in the moment and stop taking myself so seriously.

3) SELF-CARE.

While this may seem self-explanatory, so many people lack self-care in their lives. If we all took a mental health day every once in a while and took care of our own wellbeing, maybe the world would be full of more happy, kind people.

4) Living in the moment.

People who are happy don't sit around worrying about what tomorrow will bring, therefore letting it ruin today's joy (I'm so guilty of this). Instead, they live for the moment and try to live everyday to the fullest.

5) They're genuine.

This might be my favorite quality/habit. I love genuine people because then you never have to wonder where they're at with you or anyone else and you always know that you can go to them for an honest opinion. What you see is what you get, and that is fine by me. The way this benefits them? People who are genuine never have to waste their energy pretending to be someone or something they're not.

6) They are resilient and without fear of failure.

Failure does not scare a truly happy person, or cause them to want to back down from a challenge. At the end of the day, they know that if they fail they will come back better the next time and make changes to better themselves and others. Other people may cower away from a challenge for fear of failing but someone who possesses the gift of true happiness knows that even failing will not ruin their life (or their happiness).

7) They listen.

There is nothing better than finding someone who will actually listen to you; someone who can show empathy, without turning it into sympathy. That is what happy people do. They know that not everyone feels happy all the time and that even for themselves, a listening ear is often the best remedy. So they are willing to just sit and be there. The gift of human connection in this way is priceless.

8) They laugh at anything and everything.

People who laugh all the time make my heart happy. I love the sound of a baby laughing, or a man with a huge belly laugh. It's priceless and brings me back to the idea of that human connection. When I'm down, nothing can bring my spirits up more than someone who makes me laugh. We all need a moment every now and again where we laugh with our best friends so hard, over something that probably isn't that funny, and end up in a puddle of tears. Or at least I know I do.

9) They ignite happiness in others.

Happy people make me happy. Period. I love seeing someone who finds so much joy in their life, especially in the simple things. Those are the people that inspire me to work harder toward becoming better myself, in all aspects of my life.

10) They love themselves FIRST.

This is one of the hardest, if not THE hardest, habit for me to practice in my life. By nature, I am a caretaker and a giver. I want to fix everyone around me and I want everyone to be happy. But where does that leave me? Most of the time, the answer is miserable. While that may sound grim, the truth is it has been my experience that people who are truly happy love themselves first. They love and fix and take care of themselves before trying to do it for another human being because they know that without doing this they are useless to anyone that comes across their path. Two broken people cannot fix one another. And while I wish they could, through countless vain attempts, I know now that they cannot and trying to prove otherwise will only perpetuate the pain for all parties. So if I want to be truly happy, like some of the people I have encountered over this past summer, I need to learn to love every piece of myself FIRST.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53327
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34276
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956843
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181599
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments