Motivation Monday – How To Be Instantly Happier

It’s easy to believe that we’ll be happier when we have a better job, a new house, more money in the bank…the list goes on and on. What if that’s all a lie, and you can really be happy right now? I really think you can, and for Motivation Monday this week I have my top tips on how to be instantly happier!

1. Start a Happiness Jar

Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) came up with this idea, and one of my best friends shared it with me at the start of the new year. It’s so simple and yet it has had a profound impact on my life!

Before you go to bed, write down your happiest moment on a piece of paper and place it into a jar of your choosing. I write my happiest moment on any piece of paper that I can find, typically torn off of an envelope I got in the mail. It really is that easy! At the end of the year, I’ll go back and re-read all the moments in my happiness jar, which I am so looking forward to. How can you not be happier when you’re focusing on the simple joys in your day? Even on the worst days, you can be happy just to be alive!

2. Go on a Complaining Vacation

Have you ever been around someone who just seems to complain about everything? No one really wants to hang out with them, as they drag everyone else down. If you find that you’re someone who complains without taking action to change your circumstances, now’s the time to go on a complaining vacation! For one week, pay close attention to what you say, and stop yourself whenever you find that you’re complaining. Turn the complaint into something much more positive!

Think of the difference between – “ugh, it’s so cold outside” OR “it’s cold outside, good thing I have a warm jacket!” Two totally different points of view about the exact same topic, and odds are I bet you’d rather be around the person that’s thankful for having a jacket, not just complaining for really no reason!

3. Don’t Worry, Be Happy

I spent so much of my life worrying, before I realized that it got me absolutely nowhere. It would be easy for someone to say that I had reason to worry, especially when I was very sick and even my doctors were concerned, but in reality, worrying does nothing to change the situation. If anything, it only makes it worse. So I stopped worrying and it’s amazing how much my life improved!

One thing I can promise you is that worrying won’t change the outcome of any situation, so when you really think about it, there’s no point in it! I know it’s easy to think that worrying is the “right” thing to do, but you have so much control over your own life, you simply need to change your thoughts about what’s happening.

It’s so easy to expect the worst, almost to prepare yourself for what “could” happen. But, what if it all worked out? It usually does, right? Life can be crazy, but looking on the bright side won’t only lift your mood, but also the people around you!

4. Color away

Recently one of my best friends surprised me with a care package of an adult coloring book and colored pencils. You guys, I have never been so excited to get to coloring!! It came at the best time, as I’d just spent the entire week working hard on a project and I desperately needed time away from my computer.

Using my coloring book was seriously one of the most relaxing things I’ve done in a long time, and it really did make me instantly happier! There are many books to choose from, so I’m betting you find one perfect for you!

5. Help someone else –

One of the best ways that I’ve improved my own life is to give to others. I once heard an interview with Tony Robbins about how he gave the last few dollars he had to a family in need, not knowing how he would even get his next meal. Just look at where he is today!

Something magical happens when you give from the heart. Don’t overthink this one, it can be as simple as giving a stranger a compliment or simply listening to someone who could really use a friend.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

• Have you ever tried any of these tips and found that it’s brought more happiness to your life?
• When’s the last time you used a coloring book?
• What’s your favorite way to bring happiness to your life?

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