5 Steps to Daily Happiness
We’ve all been there. Life feels dull, pointless, more pain than pleasure. Getting to sleep at night is hard, getting up in the morning is even harder. No one seems to get where you’re at—not your family, not your friends. Happiness is fleeting at best. Some call it depression, some just call it life.
If this is where you’re at, HI. I’m so glad you made it here! First, I want to let you know that no matter how long this challenging phase has been going on in you’re life—it’s temporary.
Second, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization, 300 million people around the world have depression—and that’s just the ones they can count.
Third, life brought you face to face with this article because you’re meant for something extraordinary.
Lastly, you got this.
I was anywhere from mildly to acutely depressed for almost 20 years, and I found a way to real live everyday joy. If you’re ready to get unstuck, here’s 4 steps on how to experience true happiness on a daily basis…
STEP 1: MAKE A LIST
Grab a piece of paper and a pen right now. No, not an electronic device. Real paper, real pen. Why? Taking pen to paper around our desires is magical. Title your list WHAT I LOVE and list absolutely everything in this life that you enjoy, that brings you happiness, that makes you LOL, all of it. Once you complete your list, read step 2.
STEP 2: DO 1 THING A DAY
Schedule—like actually put in your calendar right now—one thing from your list per day. If it’s dancing, you can do that in your living room. If it’s cats, hang out with a neighbor’s cat or research fostering a kitty. If it’s travel, find a ticket you can afford to a place you are going to love and book your trip. You get it. Don’t fuck around. This is your happiness.
STEP 3: MEDITATE
Harvard studies show that after eight weeks of daily meditation, the amygdala (the fight or flight part of the brain which is key for anxiety, fear and stress) shrinks. #yayscience
Though it’s not quite as easy as “just close your eyes and clear your mind,” a little high quality instruction goes a very long way toward you being able to practice easily on your own. Here are some ways to get your meditation on:
Guided Meditations on the Insight Timer App
19,000 are free, and you can buy ongoing meditation course for only $5 each.Attend a meditation class near you with MeditationFinder.com.
STEP 4: PRACTICE GRATITUDE
Create a morning gratitude practice and discover for yourself how it can transform a total shit storm into one of the best times of your life. You can:
Once you open your eyes, begin your day with “I am grateful for…” and keep listing things until you run out. Already well into your day? Go for it right now!
Try this gratitude meditation with Tony Robbins.
Not sure what you have to be grateful for? Listen to this.
STILL feeling resistant to gratitude? Listen to this.
STEP 5: BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF
This life thing is a process, and sometimes it feels impossible. One of the greatest things we can do for ourselves is be compassionate, kind and loving inside of our own minds. Say nice things to yourself A LOT. Every day. Don’t know how? Start here.
