Whether you just feel stuck in an uninspiring rut, or you are struggling with depression, this article will give you 10 simple, practical ways to feel happier and more satisfied in life.
Isn’t it kind of crazy that people ask Google “how to be happy”? It’s sad, actually, that so many people aren’t happy in life and feel like they have to hide that…so they ask Google.
If you clicked on this article because you are struggling with not feeling happy in your life and you don’t know what to do about it…just know you are not alone, and it truly will get better.
At the time of writing this I can confidently say that I am the most joyful, at peace, and contented I have ever been in my life. And it’s not because everything is going great. Actually, it’s been one of the roughest years ever. But despite the hardships, I am *usually* excited to wake up every morning and partake in another day of this beautiful life.
Wherever you are emotionally, mentally, or physically, I hope this article gives you a boost of hope and inspiration that you can and will feel happier in life.
How to Feel Happier in Life
1. Plan Out Your Day
Planning out your day will increase your productivity and give you a feeling of accomplishment (which promotes positive, happy feelings). Creating structure for yourself each day helps you to keep moving forward especially when you feel stuck in a funk.
Write a list of “to-do’s” for the day, making sure to include a balance of work and fun.
If you often find yourself with nothing to do, pick up a new hobby, get a furry friend to look after, take a class, or get a part-time job. Accomplishing work each day will give you a sense of accomplishment and make your rest time more enjoyable.
Every single human being needs to engage in daily meaningful work in order to feel a sense of fulfillment and happiness.
This applies to everyone at all stages of life. From the toddler playing with toys (11 Things to do with a 1 Year Old) to the retiree meeting friends for lunch, every person needs some type of daily structure to feel happy and fulfilled.
2. Spend less time on screens…like WAY less
Have you ever noticed how fast time seems to fly when you’re mindlessly scrolling on your phone or watching TV? Every minute you spend staring at a screen is a minute of being connected with life that you’ve lost. It’s a minute of experiencing this life that you cannot get back. Talk about depressing!
Of course, be on screens as needed for your job, communication, etc. But when it’s not needed, just put your phone away. Turn off the TV. Engage with reality.
Get outside! Notice sights, sounds, smells, PEOPLE. Cherish REAL life experiences, and notice how it grounds you and promotes positive emotions. 🙂
3. Nourish Your Body
One of the best ways to feel happy is by physically feeling well. Cut out overly processed, sugary foods. Eat nourishing meals that are rich in nutrient-dense carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Move your body regularly through general daily activities and exercise. You’ll soon notice that you are clear in the head, more energized, and actually motivated to seize the day.
If you need recipe inspiration, just check out my recipe collection! Here at Nourish Yourself, I create healthy, real-ingredient recipes that are nourishing, affordable, and delicious (even your taste buds gotta feel happy).
4. Keep Learning and Growing
Nothing squashes your sense of happiness like feeling stagnant and stuck in life. Similar to needing daily meaningful work, humans need to keep learning and growing in order to feel happy. This might be learning a new skill, reading a new book, going to college, traveling, or even going to therapy.
Expanding your knowledge and your experiences is essential to avoid feeling stuck in a rut. In addition, it increases your maturity, perspective of the world around you, and your ability to relate with others (which in turn opens the doors to new opportunities and new relationships).
5. Don’t Isolate Yourself
As an introvert, I sure do like my alone time. But this tip has more to do with “don’t be alone in life“. Don’t isolate yourself. Don’t accept aloneness and do nothing about it.
Humans were never meant to be alone. Even in the Garden of Eden, God made Eve so that Adam would not be alone. Whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, you need to have a few quality friends who you can talk to, have fun with, and trust (and vice versa!).
6. Be Honest about your Weaknesses and Flaws
Back in college I had an acquaintance once say to me…”Yeah when I met you I thought you were cool and I wanted to be friends, but I didn’t feel like I could because you seemed perfect.”
Ouch! That was NOT what I wanted people to think of me. But it made me realize that I often presented myself as perfect.
Here’s the thing — guardedness leaves you lonely. Hiding your flaws and only showing your strengths leaves you lonely. Humans like to pretend…though I’m not sure why.
There’s no reason to pretend because everyone knows that everyone else is a mess.
So, with trustworthy people, be open and honest about struggles and flaws whether physical, mental, emotional…you name it. There is nothing to be gained by pretending to everyone that you are free of issues.
7. Dream for the future. Create a Vision
Dreaming up plans and possibilities for the future can be super motivating and exciting. Working towards a goal that inspires you is an easy way to start feeling happier in life.
Here are a few questions to get you started –
- “Where do I want to be (physically, vocationally, financially, etc.) by the end of this year?“
- “What is a dream I’ve always had since I was a kid?”
- “What topics or experiences interest me?”
- “Are there any ideas that I have that I’d like to try?”
Identify a goal/goals that inspires you. Then, create a plan of realistic steps to achieve that goal within a certain timeline. (This is also a great at-home date night activity for couples to do together).
If you like to visualize your goals, create a vision board (whether on your notes app, on a cork board, or on a Pinterest board) with images, quotes, and other elements that inspire you as you work towards your goals.
In life, you aren’t completely powerless. So instead of making yourself a victim of your circumstances, take the bull by the horns and start creating a motivating vision for the future.
8. Learn Your Strengths and Current Role(s) in Life
There is nothing more empowering than having a settled confidence in your identity and role in life. When you are unsure of who you are or if you are in the right job, in the right relationships, etc. it can make you question everything and feel very unhappy.
BUT… when you identify your natural giftings and strengths, you are able to put them to use and feel like the best version of yourself.
A personal story… In college, I was pursuing a career in health science (just read my story here!). But once I graduated, a series of events led me to realize that I actually wanted to be a stay at home mom. This created a huge sense of insecurity in me for a while because I thought that giving up a career to be a mother was somehow a weakness (NOT true!). It took some time, but once I saw how being a stay at home mom actually allowed me to use my strengths to their full potential, I began to LOVE getting up each day to serve my family and tend to our home.
It can take a little time and self-observation to identify what your natural strengths and giftings are. Sit down with a notebook to sketch out what you believe your strengths are. Then, talk with a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to learn more about what they see in you.
Figuring out who you are meant to be in life is the first step to LOVING your life and feeling much, much happier.
9. Be Content with What You Have!
Contentment is like fruit and dessert.
If you eat a slice of cake and then eat a piece of fruit, the fruit won’t taste as sweet. Even though fruit is actually pretty sweet and has so many good benefits to offer you (hydration, micronutrients, energy, antioxidants, etc.), your taste buds wouldn’t appreciate it as much because they have become accustomed to the level of sweetness of the cake.
But now imagine it’s a hot summer day and you’ve been outside in the heat. Imagine taking a bite of cold and juicy fruit. It hits the spot, right?! It’s sooo refreshing. Cake wouldn’t refresh you like fruit does.
That’s how practicing contentment works. To truly appreciate and enjoy what is truly wholesome (the fruit), you have to detox from the cake.
To be satisfied with what you have, you have to stop looking for more and start appreciating what is right in front of you. Abstain from unnecessary purchases, take a break from social media, or maybe start a gratitude journal. Do whatever you need to do to get your eyes off of what other people have and on what you have been given.
You know… grass greens up pretty quickly once you start watering it…so stop spending time looking over the fence at other lawns and get to watering! 🙂
10. Slow Down…Enjoy the Simple Joys of Life
If you want to be a happier person in life, slow down enough to actually experience the happy things. American culture tells you to keep hustling…there’s always something more to get. Unfortunately, this is a lie that will steal many precious hours, days, and years of your life away.
There is a time for work and hustle…and a time for resting. A time for laboring, and a time for enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Slow down enough to partake in things that spark a sense of happiness or joy in you… things like a sunrise or sunset, a carefree sparrow looking for a snack, your favorite colors in the world around you, a mother and baby, the sunlight streaming through the curtains, friends connecting at a coffee shop, a bite of your favorite dessert, etc.
In Conclusion…
However you are feeling right now, I truly hope that my 10 tips for feeling happier in life have inspired you in some way to keep looking for that light at the end of the tunnel.
Joy is always here to be found. Sometimes it just takes a little life restructuring and intentionality in order to start experiencing it.
I truly believe that focusing on improving your well-being as a whole person goes a long way in increasing your sense of happiness, optimism, and fulfillment in life. When we live the way we were meant to live (being grounded, creative, connected with other humans, and healthy), we start experiencing the vibrant life God has always meant for us.
That’s what my blog Nourish Yourself is all about…creating a life that nourishes your body, mind, and soul. So while you’re here, look around! Living life to the fullest is what I’m passionate about, and I’m here to help inspire you with delicious recipes, wellness tips, and practical, down-to-earth encouragements along the way.
Here’s to happiness!
Hey! I’m so glad you’re here! What makes you feel happiest? Let me know in a comment below 🙂
Wherever you find yourself today…take time to nourish yourself — body, mind, and soul <3
Warmly, Caroline
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