Happy. A very simple 5-letter word. But you and I both know…it’s complicated.Ā I just celebrated another birthday and the word on my mind is “happy.” When I was in my early 20’s, I had a different vision of how “happy” would look. I have since experienced many valuable adventures in my life. Stick around my blog because I intend to cover these experiences. Don’t worry, I won’t get too sappy on you. š These experiences and lessons have certainly shaped my present definition of “happy.” In my mid (ahem)Ā lateĀ 30’s, I still have a long laundry list ofĀ milestones yet to achieve but somehow, I feel there’s a slice of personal success I feel when I equate it with my sense of happiness. You see, “being happy” has always been a measure of success to me. Any time the age old question would roll around (what do you want in life), I would answer:
“Just to be happy.”
It is not as if I was an unhappy person. It’s just that happiness was always important to me. In my early 20’s, I didn’t quite get the fact that “happiness” is a fluid state. Nobody can be happy every moment of the day. In my 30’s, I’ve learned how happiness is a state of mind that we work on to achieve or maintain. Ā There is no such thing as being happyĀ and never having to do anything to keep ourselvesĀ happy. We simply cannot be complacent about it.
It’s human nature to “forget” recent joys and successes and move on to the next thing. This is why the “100 Happy Days” phenomenon (submit a picture daily through social media with Hashtag #100Happy Days of what made you happy)Ā has connected with so many. What makes us happy is oftentimes already in our lives or within reach. Taking time to reflect on the simple joys already in our life not only makes us more grateful, it also makes us…surprise….happier.
My post on the topic of “HAPPY” does not end with 1 post. Rather, this topic will be revisited numerous times. Personally, I think I’ve unlocked a big chunk of the formula that keeps me happy. I’m listing them below and will elaborate in separate posts in the near future:
1. Cultivate a close and loving family structure.
2. Keep positive people in your circle.
3. Create a home you love.
4. Do what you love. If not for a living, do it as a hobby.
5. Celebrate small victories and the everyday simple joys.
These are 5 of the main things that I’ve invested my time and effort in my late 20’s and early 30’s. They are aligned with the premise and mission of Beauteeful Living. As long as I stick to this formula and remind myself of all the beauteeful people and things already surrounding me, beingĀ happyĀ should not be…thatĀ complicated.
What habit or belief contributes to your happiness? Like this post or have a comment? As always, I appreciate your thoughts.
we tend to focus way to much attention to what makes us unhappy,and harbor hate and bitterness. I like to focus on happiness as well, and encourage all to find at least 1 thing per day that made them happy and grateful. On my blog on Nov 1 i will do again 30 days of being thankful. stop by!
Sounds great. Will definitely stop by!
I’m not as happy as I could be, but I’m getting there!
Thanks for sharing! A very positive note reminding us to take things easy in life and to slow down sometimes and just enjoy life and be happy. Our kids sure teach us to appreciate every little things and to just pay attention. They make us happy. Spending time together makes us happy. Going on camping, hiking and road trips as a family makes us happy. Having a healthy lifestyle makes us as a family happy. š
Your pictures are so cute. As we grow we mature and therefore we take notice of the little things and our priorities change very much š
Funny how our perspective changes from one decade to the mext.
I can’t wait to read your future posts. You have a beautiful family!
Thanks so much, Carly!
Happy is a short word but it means so much and can be hard to do. Thanks for sharing your positive messages.
Love your positivity! And my family makes me happy everyday! Waking up to my sweet girl each morning š
Thanks, Brittany. Aww, waking up to seeing your sweet daughter is definitely reason to be happy.
Thanks for trying to encourage happiness in our world. It NEEDS it š There is a big difference between being happy with your life and being happy in each passing moment. I think it all hinges upon gratitude. It’s easy to be happy when you are enjoying yourself. It’s much harder to be so when you are not. It helps me to constantly remind myself to be grateful for what I have. Daily prayers help with that a lot.
For me, my family makes ME happy everyday. Seeing them, spending time with them, being there for them and them always being there for me makes me happy and content. Of couse, there’s lots of other things that makes me happy, but family are the ones that put a smile in my face. This is something I have realized in my 20s! Family is number one for me š Great post!
Thanks, Elizabeth! I couldn’t agree with you more about how family is #1.
Being mindful of what I have, instead of focusing on what I don’t have. I love the quote that says “Everything you’ve ever needed is already here and will arrive ON TIME”. Great post.
It’s really the small things in life that are the greatest, but family is the biggest thing in life that is even great! Happy kiddos make for a healthy and happy family.
My happiness is usually intensified when my family is happy. I really internalize everyone else’s issues, but I stay happy by truly enjoying the little things in life.
Great post. Whenever I get a bit down or stressed I try to think about everything I am grateful for. As you said, family and other positive minded people are who you want to surround yourself with. Btw nice pics!
Thanks, Jason. Yes, you certainly have wonderful family and people surrounding you. š
Happiness is very complicated. I try to find internal joy because happiness is so fleeting :/
Those are great things that make me happy too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Great post on being happy. It is hard to always be happy when being a parent. I really feel that many should step back and see the life they have created to realize that they are happy and they do not need materialistic things to make them happy! I love my family so much I am a mother to two wonderful boys age 7 and 4. Yes they may make me feel like pulling my hair out somedays but its all worth it!
I hear you, Kimberly. Parenthood is difficult but definitely yields one of the greatest joys. š
Great tips to be happy! Finally we don’t need that much money to be happy. There are other things that are so much more important.
This is a great post and great tips. When I’ve been trying to do lately is to choose my battle with my kids. Can’t be to picky or strict. We have to remember that they are just kids and for them fun=happy!!!
What a happy post. I f everyone were more happy and less disgruntled the world would be such a better place.
Thanks so much, Melodi.
I have just discovered doing what I love and what makes me happy. Even if just a little bit every day changes how the day goes. Like reading, sewing or practicing my french. With me being a stay at home mom to a 2 year old it definitely brings some sense of peace in the insanity of the days!
That’s great, Tara! Definitely continue squeezing in any hobbies that make you happy. Keeping up with a 2 year old takes a lot out of you. Good luck! š
Happy to me is when to see our boys playing together or cuddling š Mostly I am happy when I could spend times to hunting photos. I love photography.
Great tips! Sometimes you just need a little reminder on what really makes you happy and to not sweat the small things. Thanks for sharing your simple tips for happiness.
Slowing down keeps me happy. Taking the time to kiss my kids, listen to them talk about random things. Hug my husband when he comes home from work, eat dinner together, sit in the backyard and just….sit. Life gets so crazy and hectic. I feel like I am always focusing on what is next on our list. But the here and now will never be again. So if I know I have taken the time to just be, with my kids, husband, friends, life, I am happy knowing I have done all I can and lived my life the way I wanted to everyday. The to do list is always there, but slow down and focus on other things too. I love this idea, and cannot wait to see more of what you have to say.
As always, thanks for the well-thought response, Emily! The things you find important are very similar to mine. Looking forward to this series!
We are on a big routine here.. Things do get in the way and derail us, but in the end it all works out. this is what makes our little happy home happy š
Learning to be content has done a lot for my happiness. No matter who you are, there’s always something more you could have or more you could be doing. But being present in the moment and learning to enjoy the simple things is what keeps me happy.
Very true, Miranda! Thanks for commenting.
I try not to worry about the small things. I tend to get really upset over stuff and I have to remind myself being upset doesn’t help nor does it change anything.
So for me learning to better deal with things has made myself (and family) happier
For me, faith in God provides me not just happiness but joy. Happiness is based on external circumstances. Joy is something inside of you that even during the most dire circumstances you can have peace and love.
For us, a routine helps keep running smoothly and keeps everyone happy. We may be busier during the school year, but we’re content.
I agree completely. Having a routine keeps us sane, especially when kids are involved. š