According to a study, almost half of all people haven’t felt what they consider to be “truly happy” in two years. This is deeply concerning. The world is facing a mental health crisis, but diagnosable mental health conditions aren’t the only culprits here.
In some cases, learning how to be happy with what you have is the best solution. After all, not every problem someone faces will be solvable. But how do you do that?
Read on for our top tips for finding happiness where you are.
Consider Seeking Support
If you’re struggling with a seemingly endless cycle of dissatisfaction, you don’t need to find all your happiness within yourself. There’s nothing wrong with seeking support elsewhere. Humans are social creatures, and we’re made to (at least somewhat) rely on each other for comfort, companionship, and support.
Seek out friend groups or even individual friends when you’re feeling down. If you feel the need to seek out professional help, a local anxiety therapist or counselor may be able to help you get back on track.
Accepting help from others is essential.
Practice Gratitude
It can be difficult to feel grateful when you don’t think your emotional needs are being met, but practicing gratitude is more important than ever when you’re trying to be happy with less. You must do your best to be grateful for what you have, even when it may not feel like you have a lot.
Keep a gratitude journal and regularly write down things you are thankful for, no matter how small. Things like your health, fair weather, or the fact that you have a roof over your head are all reasons to be grateful.
The more you do this, the more grateful you will feel over time. It will be difficult at first, but try to stick with it.
Be Mindful
Do you try to practice mindfulness? It can be a helpful habit when you’re working on self-improvement.
Practice mindfulness to stay present and appreciate the simple moments in life. Be mindful of your consumption habits, appreciating what you have rather than constantly seeking more. Be aware of what’s around you.
Practice mindfulness to let go of past regrets and future anxieties, focusing on the present moment.
Aim to Simplify
In a world of constant over-consumption, choose to simplify your life instead. We can all learn to be happier with less, and this is also how we can learn to be less wasteful and more sustainable.
Declutter your living space and focus on the essentials, reducing the desire for material possessions. When you want something new, sit on the decision for a while instead of being rash and getting it right away.
Having fewer items makes your life easier in many ways. You’ll have fewer things to clean and mend, and you’ll spend less money following trends. This is a great way to improve your life and attitude.
Prioritize Self-Acceptance
Is some of your dissatisfaction with your life aimed at yourself rather than your situation or your lack of certain physical belongings? If you don’t accept yourself, you’ll find it challenging to be happy regardless of your situation. You need to focus on radical self-acceptance.
Embrace yourself for who you are. Acknowledge your strengths and accept your imperfections. Try to think of yourself as your own best friend and focus your self-talk around that idea.
Engage in Acts of Kindness
Helping others can bring you a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This may contribute to your overall happiness and make you feel more appreciative of both the things you have and the people in your life.
Small acts of kindness, like helping your friends or paying for someone’s coffee in the morning, go a long way.
You can also try to engage in volunteer activities to give back to the community and experience the joy of helping others. There are countless volunteer opportunities to choose from in all different areas.
Enjoy Nature
How often do you get outside? Nature is great for your mental health, so if you need a bit of a boost, getting some vitamin D may be the perfect solution for you.
Spend time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of nature and finding joy in the simple pleasures it offers. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the wildlife, and leave your tech devices at home or in your pocket.
Cultivate Hobbies
Develop and enjoy hobbies that bring you happiness. Hobbies can provide a great source of fulfillment outside material possessions. While some hobbies are expensive to start, this isn’t true of all of them, and you can often find affordable or even free ways to start otherwise pricey hobbies.
You can try sports, creative pursuits, or even games. Many hobbies are social in nature, so they may even help you make some new friends.
Set Realistic Goals
Set achievable and meaningful goals that align with your values. Try to avoid goals that focus on getting more material belongings. Instead, focus on self-improvement goals and overall happiness.
When your goals are realistic, you’re more likely to achieve them. This will promote a sense of accomplishment.
Limit Social Comparison
You know what they say: comparison is the thief of joy. Avoid excessive comparison with others and do your best to remember that everyone’s journey is unique.
What people post on social media is never the whole story, so someone’s great trips or “amazing” things are only a small part of their life. They may be envious of your family, your friendships, or other things you would consider mundane.
That’s How to Be Happy With What You Have
Learning how to be happy with what you have isn’t easy, especially in this world of social media where we’re all always trying to keep up with each other. Finding happiness within and in non-material things is key.
You can’t buy happiness. While you can pay for resources and comforts, you need to work on happiness within yourself once your basic needs are met.
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