Develop these habits to really get the most out of life. PHOTO: TEENLIFE.
Like most people, you might think that happiness is a destination and it comes with having everything you want. However, this is a misconception because happiness is a journey which comes with making the most of your everyday life.
The media nowadays exposes us to impossible ideals which make our normal lives seem boring and dull. Here are 5 ways to spice up your ordinary life and bring some excitement into each day:
1. Celebrate the small stuff
PHOTO: GIPHYNothing is going to feel special if we don’t create meaning out of it. So, apart from the big celebrations like birthdays and holidays, start celebrating the little things in your routine life because every little achievement matters. Got a raise at work? Celebrate! Worked out consistently for a month? Celebrate! Got a new pet? Celebrate!
Try this: At the end of each week, pick a "brag" from your week that you're most proud of. Ask a loved one to do it as well. Then find a way to celebrate your "brags" together -- just for fun.
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2. Accept a fun challenge
PHOTO: GIPHYLooking back, you realise that some of your most challenging times were the most meaningful. This is because challenges make us focus and discover resources that we didn't know existed. Overcoming challenges make us feel more accomplished.
So, choose something that you would like to achieve and set personal goals. If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, but have been scared to try, now is the time to go for it. When you accomplish your goals and challenges, celebrate! Be it learning a new language, organizing your photos into albums, or redecorating your room -- set a goal and have fun achieving it.
3. Notice what a wonderful world you live in
PHOTO: GIPHYLook around and you’ll find so many things that you’re grateful for. This is one of the quickest ways to create meaning in your life. Be vocal about what you appreciate at home, at work, or with friends.
Take a moment to turn to a loved one to tell them something you're grateful for, excited about, or fascinated about from your day. You can also choose one person per week to express how grateful you are for them or something that they've done. This will motivate them too, and you will also feel appreciated in return.
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4. Get curious when things don't go as expected
PHOTO: GIPHYWe all have expectations and hopes that our lives will turn out in a particular way. However, very often those expectations are unrealistic and influenced by the lavish lives shown in the media. Naturally, when life doesn’t come up to such expectations, people get disheartened.
When you’re constantly comparing what you have against what you are expected to have, you fail to appreciate what you actually have for what it is. But, this doesn’t mean that you become complacent with whatever is going wrong with your plans and pretend to be happy. If your expectations are realistic, then get clarity on what is important to you and learn how to find it in your existing situation. It’s about striking a balance.
5. Remember to 'feel' your way through life
PHOTO: GIPHYWhenever you’re bored, ask yourself: what is it that I want to feel and how can I bring more of it into my day? A good way to start each day is to ask yourself in the morning how you'd like to feel that day. How would you like to feel as you move through the day? If there's a challenging aspect of your day ahead, see if you can come up with a way to deal with it that handles the situation, and also feels best for you.
Develop these five habits to add more happiness to your daily life. And if you still have some days where you feel flat, remember that it's normal and you always have tomorrow to change how you feel.
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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