How To Live A Happier Life

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During this time in our lives, we begin to think about how easier and happier our life was pre-coronavirus.

It’s easy to reminisce about the good times and how care-free we were.

Summer 2019 was a good summer.

Going to the bars with your friends, no mask on.

Hugging random people you just met.

Sipping your friends drink to see if you should order that or your normal vodka soda.

Hand sanitizer wasn’t ~really~ a thing and definitely not the whole “social distancing” thing.

But the times have changed. We still have those care-free memories but it’s time to make new ones.

We must continue to live our lives, but just safer ones now. Which honestly, isn’t such a bad thing…?

Hear me out:

We know that everyone’s hands are clean.

We can become completely disguised when out in public. Thanks to masks and sunglasses.

Now you don’t have to feel bad when you see that one kid from your high school math class that you very much do NOT want to say “Hello”.

You don’t have to awkwardly say “no” when a random guy offers to buy you shots or drinks at a bar. (Lowkey, this one can be a bummer, though).

More importantly, you don’t have those embarrassing encounters with random men trying to hit on you on the dance floor. Like sorry – 6 feet, please.

But as we state the “pros” of Coronavirus, there are many, many cons. Obviously.

I’m not going to list them out because that’ll just make this blog post a sad one and I’m not here to bring people down!!!

Instead, how about I give you a list of ways you can live a happier life – during and after COVID-19…Sound good?

Great! 🙂

1. Focus on the positive

When you start thinking in a more positive way, you eventually live a more long-term happier life.

According to Entrepreneur, you can teach your mind to think more positively in every situation of your life ~ in about a month, or so.

It’s super simple – Here’s how:

“Spend one to two minutes looking for positives in your life.”

This could be anything in your life that you are grateful for, anything you are looking forward to, etc.

If you do this about 2 times a day, say in the morning and at night, for about 5 weeks, your brain will automatically do it.

2. Start enjoying the outdoors more

Go on walks to your neighborhood park.
Google nearest bike trails and take your bike out for a ride.
Take a road trip.
Exercise outside instead of at your local gym.

Nature can be very beneficial to your mind and physical wellbeing!

Did you know that being out in the sunlight can help those who have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? The Mayo Clinic states that, SAD is a “type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons”.

Not only can nature help with types of depression, it can also help with stress and anxiety.

So why not take a walk outdoors and take in the beauty of nature, I mean, after-all, science has proved that you will feel better after!

3. Stop stressing about being perfect

If you haven’t noticed, the world isn’t perfect. Which means, life isn’t perfect, which means no human can be perfect.

According to Forbes, “Perfection is a lie.”

Let’s think about this for a sec.

Do you actually think you’re able to reach “perfection”?

You’re probably thinking, “Well, yes. If I work hard for whatever I want to be perfect at, I can.”

Wrong.

Everyone has different definitions of what “perfect” is.

Maybe your perfect is different from your parents “perfect”.

The sooner you understand that your idea of “perfect” can mean something totally different than your friends “perfect”, the better your life will be.

There’s no need to try to please everyone by working towards what their definition of “perfect” is because, let’s face it, that’s impossible to do anyway.

What Forbes is saying is, “Perfection leaves no room for priorities, no space for humanness, [and] no time for joy”.

So, stop worrying about being “perfect” all the time! Because NO ONE is.

This doesn’t mean you should just stop working towards your goals or lose motivation in things you like.

This just means that you need to learn to accept and learn from your mistakes, failures, flaws, etc. as well as accept that “perfection is unreachable”.

Once you understand this, you’ll eventually live a happier life – because you aren’t as stressed anymore about having to be “perfect”!

Here are some great tips to help you achieve this mindset:

Don’t be afraid to try new things – even when you know you might be bad at it!
Remove toxic people from your life. I’m talking about those people that you always feel like you need to impress. Aka – need to be “perfect” for.
Let go of whatever it is that’s holding you back from being your true self.
Accept your flaws and learn to love them. Because YOU ARE PERFECT in your own way!

4. Create meaningful relationships

Yes, I guess you can say it’s hard to meet new people and build your social connections right now, because of the pandemic happening, but there still a way to create meaningful relationships.

It’s with the ones you already have.

During the start of COVID-19, we started to think of our family and friendships more so than ever before. Right?

Well, now is the time to really connect and bond with those loved ones!

Creating a stronger tie between you and someone you love is something that we, humans, need in order to survive – mentally speaking.

Think of it this way, if you don’t have anyone to support you or help you when you need it, you will feel alone and very isolated with the world around you.

Sad, but true.

This definitely does not lead to a “happier life”.

So, call up an old friend, a family member, etc. and catch up with them.

We need to have social interactions in order to survive.

5. Stop comparing

We all do it and unfortunately, living in the digital age, most humans slave over social media.

Meaning, social media can be a strong barrier for people to achieve a more care-free and happy life.

Let me give you an example:
Since being on social media, you start to compare not only the way you look but also the life you’re living to other peoples.

While scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed, you see people celebrating their lives whether that be new engagements, babies, new house, social gatherings, their weight loss journey, etc.

You might start to think…

Hmm I’m 23 years old and I…

don’t have my own “hype” house – this one’s for all you Tiktokers out there 😉
still live with my parents – lol
wish I had Jennifer Lopez’s abs
don’t have a boyfriend – but who needs one anyway? Right, ladies??

Okay, I need to stop! Enough comparing my life with other peoples.

Change your attitude and be happy for those people but STOP comparing your life to theirs.

You are on your own journey. You will get there one day but right now just focus on yourself and who you want to be.

Here are some helpful tips to get you to stop comparing yourself to others:

Learn to focus on your strengths. What are YOU good at? Not them.
Be happy for others. Do not knock others down because you are jealous of them.
be aware of when you start to compare and stop yourself.
Stop always wanting what others have. Learn to love what you have and be grateful for it.

Once you learn to stop comparing yourself to others. I swear you will live a much happier life.

So, there you have it. Simple tips to living a happier life.

Speaking of happy, here’s a fun photo of me floating in the Dead Sea in Israel.