I like to think of myself as a happy person. I see the glass as half full, don’t mind admitting I’m a bit goofy and I get a kick out of smiling at strangers.
I came across an article the other day entitled 22 Things Happy People Do Differently. It really spoke to me. Some attributes I high-fived myself for being great at and others I scribbled down in my mental ‘to work on’ list.
I’m still thinking about the list, so I figured I’d share my top 10 favorite things happy people do differently…
1. Treat Everyone with Kindness. I inherently believe that people are good. Because of this thought, I strive to be open and friendly with everyone until they give me good reason not to. Plus, mom always said you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. If that isn’t a southern saying, I don’t know what is!
2. See Problems as Challenges. I must give David a lot of credit for helping me become better at this one. I used to fret more, but his engineering mind has helped train me to sit down, state the problem and brainstorm solutions. It’s so much more empowering then wallowing.
3. Express Gratitude for What They Already Have. Aaaaaamen! I love this one and probably even go overboard. At least once a day I mentally list off everything I can think of that I’m grateful for. If I get a bad case of the “oh-I-really-wants,” I immediately start a list of “oh-I’m-so-blessed-to-haves” – and I make sure the latter is longer.
4. Don’t Seek Approval from Others. I’ve finally reached the place where what others think of me is none of my business (an idea I stole from my dad). The best way to please nobody is to try and please everybody. So be you, do what you do, and do it to the best of your ability.
5. Get Absorbed in the Present. This one is one I really have to work towards. I tend to be very nostalgic and glorify the past. I also am a planner and like to map out our future. I know that life is what is happening here and now, so I am constantly striving to find a healthy balance of it all.
6. Avoid Social Comparison. Maybe I’m too busy focusing on how to better our lives to get caught up in others, but lately this has been easy for me. Sure I may admire others for their social grace, sense of style or running ability, but being happy in my own choices and abilities makes it easier for me to avoid the comparison trap.
7. Choose Friends Wisely. This is so important. I like to be around people that are positive, honest, encouraging, hard working, kind and supportive. These are values I admire and strive for myself, so when I see them reflected in another person, I’m drawn to them. Everyone has a limited amount of free time, soit’s important to be intentional when choosing who to spend your time with.
8. Eat Well. Real food just makes me feel better. And wine. Yes, and wine.
9. Live minimally. Gosh I long to be a minimalist. In some ways I am. In other ways, like my pack rat tendencies, I have a long way to go. I do notice how much more at peace I am when my house is clutter free. I don’t like a lot of trinkets taking up space without purpose. I’m continuing to learn how to simplify and be intentional with my purchases.
10. Establish Personal Control. This one might be my favorite. In the article it states Life isn’t fair. The sooner you embrace this fact and learn to work with what you have and to start where you are, the happier you will be.
What makes you happy?
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Of course I love this! These are all wonderful ways to be happy and I agree with each and every point. The one I’m trying to working on right now is being more present. My mind tends to be all over the place, which makes me feel frantic on the inside (even though there is absolutely nothing crazy going on). I think by increasing my focus, I’ll be able to enjoy today and live each moment to the fullest. Have a wonderful and happy weekend, Brittany!
Erin @Axell's Kitchen says
Love this, and soo true! Simply being with me family makes me happy!
Elizabeth @ My Neon Running Shoes says
Knowing that I am working towards spiritual growth and being a good mom and wife makes me happy! Thanks for the inspiration in your writing!
John J. Stathas says
Super article. I may steal some of this just like I think you may have stolen my “what you think of me is none of my business” quote! You were fabulous on tv. Looking forward to your next presentation.
blackhuff says
I love the outlook on life that you have adapt. It’s something I strive for as well. To be positive always. Half full instead of half empty.
Beth says
Thank you for sharing! I just printed the entire list and have posted it in my cube as a daily reminder.
Haley @ The Saucy Apple says
These are great ideas! I especially love the one about not seeking approval from others. This is probably one of my biggest struggles, and I don’t even realize that I’m doing it. It’s just a habit. But it’s good to see lists like this and take an inventory of sorts about your attitude towards things. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah says
All great ideas. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for the last 3 years. Before bed, I write down 5 things that I’m grateful for- sometimes it’s my son and husband and sometimes it’s ice cream and take out. Keeps me grounded in the present and I love looking back at the past years to see what I was grateful for then.
Sandy says
LOVE that you shared this. It’s actually been one of those weeks where I’ve been making myself take a step back and be especially appreciative for what I already have. These 10 things couldn’t be more true!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries says
Looooove this post! I couldn’t agree more with all of these points.
Lauren B. says
Wonderfully stated. I, too, feel like I am a happy person, but there’s always room for improvement (I’m also a perfectionist-ha!). But just last night, I let out a blissful sigh and said to my husband, “I really love my life.” Enough said.
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Great post! These are all such important traits to have and I struggle with many of them. It is so true that we are in complete control of our own happiness simply by changing our outlook on life.
Amanda @ Sistas of Strength says
#3 YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time I complain about something silly lately (like a bad hair cut or a zit) I think about people with real problems. 😉
Avery @ YoungAspirations says
There’s definitely some truth here! My husband and I have recently been realizing that an abundant life doesn’t mean abundance in money and earthly belongings. Sometimes we have to be reminded, but we feel very blessed and grateful for the wonderful relationships, jobs, marriage, family, blessings and lives that we have! 🙂
Kelly @ Runmarun says
I really enjoyed reading this- and very much enjoyed the article you linked to when you tweeted it the other day. It is up to us, as individuals, to take responsibility for our lives, including our happiness.
In January, I had been struggling with some negative thinking and happened to read–in Sam’s Club magazine of all places–about Oprah’s gratitude journals that she has been keeping for years.
I started writing down things I was grateful for the next day and although I am not as good about keeping up with it as I would like to be, it really helped give me perspective and keep myself positive.
Another thing that helps is watching L live in the present moment. That girl forgot what happened yesterday already, not to mention ten minutes ago! Obviously she won’t stay that way forever, but it is a good reminder to try to stay present.
Have a great weekend!
Maria says
I so long to be minimalist in life. I get such joy after getting rid of stuff that I no longer use. But its more than just that – it’s like clearing my head along with the clutter. When we eventually move, we have made it a pact to get rid of anything we don’t use and decor items that we are kind of meh about. I think I’m more excited about that than anything else!
Ali says
Loved this post. Might be in my top 3 of what you have written. A grateful journal is something that often keeps me grounded, choosing friends wisely (like you!), and eating/sleeping/exercising well works to keep me sane.
Lindsay@Fuel My Family says
I totally agree! Life isn’t fair and will never be perfect. So if you try toget the perfect life, you’ll never succeed. Make the best of life! My biggest thing is not to wish time away, all time in life is precious and you will never get it back. I really focused on this during my husbands last 9 month deployment and it made me so much happier, I didn’t want to wish away any of my kids lives just because life was hard at the moment!
christina says
You should download the iphone app “The Now.” It’s great for #5! Love this post.
char eats greens says
I’m pretty sure wine makes me very happy too. Is it bad that I feel like a kid in a candy store when I go into the liquor store looking for wines on sale that week? No shame…
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
I’m a generally happy person too, and I love these! I love the one about expressing gratitude. I think that’s such an important thing!
Clare @ Fitting It All In says
LOVE LOVE. I need to focus most on appreciating the present!
Neil Butterfield says
Great advice here Brittany. I cannot think of anything else to do to keep myself happy. Enjoy a nice glass of wine tonight 🙂