How To Be Happy in 2016.

Here are some things that have made me happy throughout the year. Obviously, what makes me happy may not be the same as what makes you happy. But, you may read some of these and feel like some of the negative situations which I am describing apply to you and your current stage in your life. So, here is my advice on how to make the most life.

Enjoy what you do.

This may be obvious but you should love what you do. Be that your job, your school course or your hobbies. We spend most our days at work or at university/college, so why spend the majority of your time studying or working somewhere you hate? If it makes you unhappy, then just leave it. You can always find another job and another course that you will love. If your main goal in life is to be happy, then don't be a sell out by taking a job with better pay than going for your dream job that won't pay as well. Because ultimately, you will never be as happy. Money doesn't bring happiness, it's what you do everyday that does. So if you're only doing a job because of the money, or a specific course because you think the job will be well paid, then you will never reach that ultimate goal of happiness. You need to look at a job like as if it was volunteering, would you still do it simply because you love what it involves?

Ask yourselves this: Where do you see yourselves in 10 years time? That's what you should be aiming for.

Surround yourself with people you love

Similarly to above, you need to know when you need to cut ties with people. If a friend or even a family member, is always dragging you down or making you feel crap, then why waste your energy on their negativity? You need to surround yourself with people that are positive and that love you with all your faults. Not the people that only talk to you in class when their 'cool' friends aren't around, or that friend that always makes mean and sarcastic comments about you and that guy that only calls when he finds out you're dating another guy. Life is too short to hang onto people because you have 'history'. Instead, cut your ties and be grateful that once upon a time, that was your friend and you had some good memories together but they are no longer right for you at this moment in time. This doesn't mean in the future, you will never be friends again. It means right now you need a break and that maybe for a year or forever, ultimately that's up to you.

Say Yes more

You will rarely regret that time you said yes to joining a new sports club, or to going out with a friend or helping out at the shelter home. Doing things creates fulfilment and a sense of achievement. Whether it turns out to be a one-time thing, or a lifetime hobby it will always make an enjoyable memory you can look back on. So, sometimes it's a good thing to step out of your comfort zone and do things you usually wouldn't. I know I want to aim to say yes more in 2016. Obviously not things like doing drugs or drinking too much, but to do things that will lead me to meeting new people and create new opportunities.

You are what you eat

If you're going to eat rubbish full of chemicals that have been mass-produced then you're going to feel lethargic and you won't be getting the vitamins your body needs to flourish. If you eat food that is organic and healthy and naturally sourced, you will begin to feel the many benefits they have on your body from healthy skin and hair to better-functioning organs. Eating bad food can even affect how you physically feel and how you sleep! There's also something much more satisfying about making your meal from scratch and sitting at a table and truly enjoying your efforts, than just banging it in a microwave and not paying attention to what you eat as you watch the tv, sitting on a sofa.

Switch Off

Sometimes I feel like a whole day will go by and I can't remember looking at anything other than a computer screen. It's hard especially when most jobs are technology based now and use computers for most of your working time. But maybe try going out in your lunch break with some friends instead of staying in the office, or spend the weekend doing a hike in a park instead of chilling on Netflix. I know I personally feel much better when I've spent a day going out and seeing people, than on my laptop staring at a screen for hours. There's nothing worse than looking out the window when it's dark and realising you've spent your whole day on a computer when you could have enjoyed the daylight outdoors. Try to live in the moment more, look at what you're passing on the street instead of browsing Facebook on your phone. I think if everyone, myself included, learnt to switch off a little more, we would be much a happier society.

Love O
x