5 surprisingly simple ways you can make yourself happy

Pursuing happiness is an endless journey if all we do is try to chase it. True bliss lives within the places we create it. There are many physical things that people are convinced will bring them true and utter happiness, but what they fail to realise is that they can be happy without them. The pursuit of happiness is a complete illusion. An illusion because happiness is not something you can chase. It has to be created within for it to have roots that will prosper.

There are five main steps to create long lasting happiness, and anybody can achieve them.

Be Happy Nº1

Generosity

There are few things that feel better than receiving. One of those things, science tells us, is giving. Now I don’t know about you, but receiving a massage for example always feels better than giving one. Though apparently, when we give to others, the chemicals released in our brains actually make us feel happier than if we were to be receiving.

Studies show that we feel more happiness in making other people happy. Giving is a necessary part of humanity, and the need to feel connected and loved is a powerful driving force. Having a purpose is another strong motivator and necessary link for being happy. When we give, we are both providing a purpose for ourselves, as well as encouraging love and affection from the recipient. If you want to keep things simple though, it just feels good to make other people feel good.

Be Happy Nº2

Adaptation

If we cannot adapt to life’s ever changing circumstances, then we will never be able to fully live in the moment and will find it impossible to be happy. Having the ability to adapt, both physically and emotionally, to the situations that life throws at us is one of the keys of not only surviving, but enjoying your survival.

When the times move, we have to move with them. When tensions rise, we need to be the calm voice of reason. When the tide goes out, we need to have patience and faith that it will return. Having a flexible mentality that doesn’t become tangled in unnecessary trivialities, is a mind that makes space for what’s really important.

Be Happy Nº3

Acceptance

This is the hardest part for a lot of people. Accepting that life is just as good as it is bad. Accepting that we don’t have control over anything but ourselves, and feeling okay about all the weirdness, unanswered questions and perplexing realities that reside in the universe. You don’t have to understand much of anything, or agree with what you’re unsure of, or condone that which doesn’t feel right. All you have to do is have acceptance for what is.

If you know you can change something for the better, and you have the energy within you to do so, then take it head on and give it all that you’ve got. If what you have is just enough to pick yourself up and carry you through the tasks of any given day, then that’s your quota of heroism, and trust me, it’s enough.

Be Happy Nº4

Perseverance

Happiness is not found in the land of pixie dust and unicorn farts. We have to sand down the roughness first in order to feel the smooth surface beneath. That’s a fancy way of saying that we have to get through the hard stuff or we won’t experience the good stuff. In the moments where we feel we can’t handle it, or that it’s never going to get better, or that we just can’t win, those are the crucial moments that we have to persevere through. Remember that what lies on the other side of your lowest points, is a stronger version of yourself.

Be Happy Nº5

Gratefulness & Humbleness

They say the root of joy is gratefulness. That makes a lot of sense to me, because you can’t be thankful and miserable at the same time. Gratitude and humility go hand in hand, for feeling blessed with what you have will always keep you grounded. If you begin to become impatient with the processes of good things to come, you will miss out entirely on what is enjoyable about today, lingering in the suspense of what has not yet happened. I will forever remain humble because I know I could have less. I will always be grateful because I know I’ve had less.