Many people make the mistake of putting their happiness in the hands of others. They believe that significant others, family members and friends are responsible for making them happy. But if you rely on other people to make you happy, you’ll be devastated when they let you down or leave you. Focus on these four simple keys to happiness — all of which depend solely on you.
Live Up to Your Own Expectations
If you spend your life focused on what other people think of you, you are putting yourself at the mercy of those other people. Whenever you do not live up to their expectations, it instantly makes you unhappy. This happens a lot when children pursue careers only because it’s what their parents want.
Your goal should be to set and attempt to meet your own expectations based on what you value and care about. If you like to dance, then dance. If you like the way you dress, then dress that way. It is your prerogative.
Find a Place of Peace
In the hustle and bustle of life it is easy to get caught up in a negative atmosphere around negative or toxic people. Find a place where you can go to get away from that hectic atmosphere and find some peace—even if it is just for a short while each day. That respite might be a park nearby or a quiet coffee shop. You might even be able to escape the chaos of your everyday life through meditation in a quiet corner of your home. Make time for yourself.
Identify What You Love About Yourself
Self-love is a key component of a happy life. If you do not even love yourself, you won’t have much to be happy about—especially when others don’t openly show love to you. Also, you will portray your lack of love for yourself on the world, and it creates a vicious cycle of unhappy relationships, feelings and situations.
Force yourself to sit in the mirror each day and take a very long look at yourself. Search for and reflect on what makes you beautiful and unique—these traits aren’t just physical, but also related to your character or personality. Maybe you are witty or have a great laugh. Maybe your eyes are clear and bright. Maybe you have a great, confident walk that makes you look like a queen or king. Focus on those things. Do this exercise as often as possible until you identify those traits that make you awesome and unique. The beauty is there in each of us—it just might take some time to see it for yourself.
Forgive
When you hold onto anger and resentment it grows and grows, making you more and more unhappy with each thought. Have the courage to release whatever or whoever is making you upset. It’s okay to remember the offense so that you will not repeat the scenario in the future, but be bold enough to forgive the offender and move on to better pastures.
Start with these four simple tips to achieve genuine personal contentment. When you finally realize that you are totally in charge of your own destiny, happiness is not far behind.