Seeing your loved ones happy means all the world to us. But how many times do you focus on your own happiness? This is especially true for women who play multiple challenging roles everyday. And, you often do it all at the cost of your own happiness and well-being.
On International Day of Happiness (20th March), here are 7 ways by which you can embrace and reclaim your happiness and be more for yourself.
1. Celebrate YOU
Be in love with all of yourself, all your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections.
The first and foremost is to be happy the way you are. Not just your physical self, but be proud of your mind, heart, and soul – you in all its totality. Be in love with all of yourself, all your curves and all your edges, all your perfect imperfections. Yes! Sing the John Legend song to yourself first before you croon it for anyone else.
Sparse hair? Small boobs? Acne-ridden skin? Big deal! Find your way to self love. Because happiness, afterall, begins with yourself. How could you possibly make your dear ones happy if you are not happy yourself, right? You are precious just the way you are. Nobody is perfect, neither are you nor should you try to be. Keep repeating it to yourself until you are completely convinced of it.
2. Do What Feeds Your Heart
Listening to others might bring happiness to others, but not to you. It might give you temporary happiness – the happiness you receive when you give. But is that a sustainable decision? Definitely not. In the long-run, you will notice that it is doing you more harm than good. You are actually suppressing your source of happiness and allowing yourself to let your wishes remain unfulfilled. Want to pick up poll dancing and apprehensive of others’ reactions? Fancy being a bartender? Or, completing your graduation at the age of 63 years? Just go for it!
3. Make Yourself A Priority
Give yourself time. For your own happiness and for self-improvement. It will be a challenge but not entirely impossible. Not if you really make an effort. Set aside at least half an hour solely for yourself for some quality me-time because this time is priceless. It is not during this time that you are not expected to meet other people’s expectations. Plan your day and see where you can fit in some me-time. It can be in the form of a daily fitness routine, or sipping on tea on the balcony, pursuing a hobby, or simply doing nothing. Choose your time and activity, and invest in yourself.
4. Celebrate Every Win
Every win is a milestone in your journey to success. Every win, irrespective of its magnitude. When you set a goal for yourself, also decide on an incentive (anything that you covet) that you will give yourself on achieving the goal.
Every win is a milestone in your journey to success. Every win, irrespective of its magnitude. When you set a goal for yourself, also decide on an incentive (anything that you covet) that you will give yourself on achieving the goal. That will push you to strive a little extra hard and aim for success. And when you get there and feel the exhilaration pumping in every inch of your body and mind, the feeling is unparalleled. With an incentive to celebrate that win, your joy will know no bounds!
The incentive doesn’t have to be anything fancy all the time. It can be something as small as that oxidised trinket that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Or just a burger that the diet-conscious you have been keeping your hands off – much like Alia Bhatt who treated herself to a vegan burger after her movie, Gangubai Kathiawadi hit the 100-crore benchmark.
5. Give More Than You Receive
There is great joy in caring and sharing, and most importantly, expecting nothing in return. Give to the people whom you value. Give to those who are not as fortunate as you. Give whatever you can because that feels cathartic. Give, and it will definitely find its way back to you and in multi-folds.
However, here’s something you should always keep in mind. Give, but not at your own expense. Only giving will sap yourself of energy and happiness after a point of point and you will be left feeling like you have been taken for a ride or simply taken for granted. So you must know where to draw the line and not give beyond it. Initially, it may be difficult for you to understand where to draw the line but eventually you will realise and learn. Because Life is a great teacher. Listen to yourself and your conscience, and it will guide you not to give beyond your happiness.
6. Stay Clear Of Negativity
The next time your rishtedaar constantly butts their nose into why you’re still unmarried at 26, or your padosan aunty sniggers at you for living-in with your partner, or you’re bugged with mindless office politics – either ignore or give them a piece of your mind – whatever sails your boat.
Negativity is such a deterrent. Not enough can be said about it. It puts you in a bad mood and aggressively pulls you back from seeking happiness. The next time your rishtedaar constantly butts their nose into why you’re still unmarried at 26, or your padosan aunty sniggers at you for living-in with your partner, or you’re bugged with mindless office politics – either ignore or give them a piece of your mind – whatever sails your boat. In short, wherever you find negativity, run in the opposite direction! Because it may cost you your happiness.
7. Let Go…Sometimes
From holding onto the reins everyday, it is difficult to let go. For a lot of you, it may feel like a falling pack of cards that you have to rebuild from scratch…But it is important for you to let it all go for your good health and happiness.
Being the hustler that you are, it often exerts immense pressure on you. However, you hold on to it out of habit and necessity. From holding onto the reins everyday, it is difficult to let go. For a lot of you, it may feel like a falling pack of cards that you have to rebuild from scratch. The analogy itself has pain attached to it. But it is important for you to let it all go for your good health and happiness. For physical and mental health. No wonder, mental health is just a raging topic these days.
In the daily rigmarole, your happiness often gets lost somewhere. Yet it is essential for you to take charge of it, and #BeALittleMore, although easier said than done. Follow the tips and tricks that we just discussed above and let us know whether they worked for you. If you have any other tips that you would like to share, do leave a message in the comment section below.
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