What got me into writing this article wasn’t happy at all, but I’ll get into that a little later.
The thing is, I think that the average person is much unhappier today than they were 30 or 40 years ago. We’re constantly comparing ourselves with others (thanks for that, social media!), and all we see is that we’re not pretty enough, rich enough, popular enough, and so on. We hardly ever stop to see the good in our lives, so it’s really no wonder everyone’s so unhappy.
Add to that insane work schedules and pressure around being productive 24/7, and you’ve got yourself a burnt-out shell of a human.
When I look around, I see a ton of stuff to be grateful for, and whether you know it or not, you and I are privileged. We just don’t appreciate it enough. I’m not going to get all philosophical, and I won’t tell you that the vast majority of the world lives worse than you do because you probably already know that.
But what I WILL do is let you know how to create little rituals you can do every day that will add immensely to your well-being, make you appreciate what you have, and maybe even make you a happier person.
What to Do to Add More Joy to Your Life
As I said, my inspiration for this wasn’t happy.
I actually got it because of a friend I have in the States (Illinois, to be exact), who’s currently researching Illinois accused priest lawyers because of an incident she went through a short while back. We got to talking, and she told me how she needed to find a way to stay present and get her mind off what’s going on because the dark thoughts started consuming her completely.
And I think I have some pretty good ideas how to help her.
Don’t Reach for Your Phone the Moment You Wake Up
Way too many people check their phone the minute they open their eyes, and you can’t tell me that’s healthy. But you’ve barely woken up; why do you think it’s a good idea to bombard yourself with notifications right away?
Take a moment before you stress yourself out.
Stretch, open a window, and breathe in the fresh air, drink a glass of water, sit and breathe for a while. Your phone’s not going anywhere. It can wait.
Be Fully Present During Coffee (or Tea) Break
Usually, you pour your coffee and sip it while you work. That’s okay, but take a little break before you do anything and just be present. Drink little sips and feel how warm the cup is. Smell the aroma, notice the flavor.
Forget about work and errands for a while.
This gives your brain a break, and it interrupts that autopilot mode we all run on for most of the day.
Over time, these little breaks will make it easier for you to slow down and relax.
Write Down One Thing You’re Grateful For Each Day
Gratitude is HUGE. There’s a lot of New Age trash going around, but one thing I truly love about it is how much focus it puts on being grateful.
And when I say grateful, I don’t mean you should pretend everything’s peachy when it’s not. The idea is to train your mind to notice the good things in your life, like the fact that the weather is nice or that you got a text from a friend you love.
Every day, a lot of good stuff happens to you, but you don’t notice it, so you can’t appreciate any of it. If you write even a single one each day, you turn your attention to what’s good in your life.
Take a Short Walk to Nowhere
When I say ‘nowhere’, I mean you don’t have to have a destination. Get out and walk.
Where? Wherever you want to; that’s where.
Walking is good for both your mind and body, but if you walk without a destination, it gives you a mental reset. As healthy as exercise is, it can’t always do that for you. While you walk, notice the small details around you, like the cracks in the sidewalk and the shape of the trees. Walk for as long as you want to, whether that’s 10 minutes or an hour.
The point here isn’t to burn calories but to do something good for yourself.
Journal at the End of the Day
I know, I know, journaling is a commitment, and you have a job and kids to take care of.
But nobody’s saying you have to write 10 pages of your deepest thoughts. You can just jot down a few short sentences and describe how you felt today, what worries you, or what you want tomorrow to look like.
The point of journaling is to get that mental clutter out, and writing can give you a sense of closure.
Conclusion
When people say that happiness is in the small stuff, they sound cringey, but they’re right.
I’m not saying winning the lottery won’t make you happy, but until that happens, appreciate the good (albeit small) things that each day brings. After a while, you won’t even have to consciously look for them because your brain will learn to recognize them without thinking.
You don’t have to be an overachiever and throw yourself into all the rituals I described. Pick one or two, and if they make you feel better, add on a few more.
Baby steps.
