Home Habits for a Happier Life

Shannon Quinn - May 31, 2019
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Home Habits for a Happier Life
Photo: Credit: Shutterstock

There is so much more to enjoying your home than decorating and throwing parties. A house is just a shell, and a real life comes from who you are as a person, and the quality of the relationships you have around you. If you feel like you are not as happy as you should be, we are here to help. No matter where you live, these habits can help you live a happier lifestyle in your own home.

50. Stick to a Routine

Healthy routines are good for weight loss and longevity. Photo Credit: Josep Suria/Shutterstock

Even if your lifestyle affords you a sense of flexibility, it is still very important to get yourself into a routine. Try to wake up at the same time every day, and having a plan for your breakfast, coffee, workout, etc. Once your routine is in place, it will be much easier to stay organized in your home, keep your fridge fully stocked with the right products, and so much more.

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49. Practice Gratitude

Practice gratitude in your daily life. Photo Credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

When we are focused in our own little bubbles, it is far too easy to get caught up in “first world problems”. Instead of letting yourself get upset with issues in your home life, try to write down a list of things you are grateful for. It could be as simple as, “I am grateful that I woke up this morning, I can walk.  I can see. And I am grateful for my dog.” Keep going and going for as long as possible. Once you begin putting this into practice, you won’t need to write these things down anymore, and you will be happier overall.

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48. Eat Dinner Together With Your Family

Remember to get together to eat with your family. Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

Eating dinner with your family truly does help to foster close relationships. Even though busy schedules may get in the way, try to at least have dinner together with your significant other and children. Also invite your extended family and friends over whenever possible. Try to establish set rules, like a specific meal time that everyone can expect the food to be ready, so that you and your partner always know when it is appropriate time to come home. Your children should also know the rules, like no dessert before dinner, or no cell phones at the table. Once everyone is used to this routine, they will look forward to it.

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47. Call Someone You Love

Call up your relatives that you haven’t seen in a while. Photo Credit: Fizkes/Shutterstock

Feeling lonely? Or maybe you haven’t spoken with your parents in a while, and they are sending you a not-so-subtle text that they miss you. Pick up the phone and call them. This is much more intimate than texting. Hearing the other person’s voice and really engaging in a conversation with someone else can help bring you closer, even if you live far apart. Having this sense of connection with the people in your life that you are no longer living with will help you to be happier and more content in your own home, as well.

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46. Exercise- Even if it’s Around the House

Remember to get up and move. Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

We all know that exercise is good for your body. But a lot of people make the excuse that since they cannot go to the gym, they cannot exercise at all. This isn’t true! Even if it’s just going up and down the stairs, doing yoga, or incorporating some sit-ups into your morning, there is always a chance to get a good workout in. Once you have had the chance to get up and move, you should find that you feel far less stressed out, and more capable to tackle your daily responsibilities.

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45. Laugh More

Don’t forget to laugh every single day. Photo Credit: Fizkes/Shutterstock

It is true that laughter is the best medicine. Sadly, some people get so caught up in their work life and home responsibilities, that they forget to laugh. If you want to enjoy life more, try to find the irony and humor in things going on around you. This will make you feel much happier on a day-to-day basis. Sadly, sometimes there is simply nothing to laugh at in any given day, and the weight of the world can get you down. If this sounds like you, go on YouTube and find funny clips from your favorite movies, or watch skits down by Saturday Night Live. After watching something funny, it usually improves your mood.

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44. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Try not to let small problems get you down. Photo Credit: Fizkes/Shutterstock

There are so many issues that can pop up at home. You can choose to either flip out and get upset, or you can try to feel serene and like everything is going to be okay. When something goes wrong, try to have some perspective. Try to think about the worse case scenario, because it is likely that whatever negative things have happened to you, it could always be worse. Is it really all that bad? Don’t sweat the small stuff.

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43. Make Sure Everyone Has Personal Space

Even in a crowded home, try to designated space for yourself. Photo Credit: LStockStudio/Shutterstock

If you share a small house or apartment with someone, it can sometimes feel like it’s impossible to carve out a spot that is just for you. Blending your living space is going to be inevitable, but it is good for your mental health and stress level to have a place in the home that is just for you. That may be a desk in the corner of the living room, an office in a spare bedroom, a “man cave” in the garage, or maybe even just a designated chair in the living room. Let the family know that this is your space, and no one else’s.

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42. Learn to Have Patience

Remember to have patience with your family. Photo Credit: Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

There are so many things in life that will make us lose our patience. It may be something breaking around the house, or it could be your child having a temper tantrum. These negative emotions can begin to pile up to the point where we yell or act nasty towards the people we love the most. Instead of letting yourself go over the edge, try to take a deep breath and approach difficult situations with patience. Once you learn how to remain calm, problems that once seemed like a big deal will suddenly become small and easy to manage.

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41. Practice Self-Care

Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Photo Credit: LStockStudio/Shutterstock

When you work really hard, it can sometimes be all too easy to let your personal care go downhill. This is especially true for mothers, who are sacrificing a lot of the things they enjoy doing in favor of raising their children. Self-care is going to be different for everyone. For some people, it may be getting your hair or nails done. For others, it may be drinking a glass of wine and watching a good movie. Just don’t forget to do things that you enjoy, and maintain a sense of autonomy, no matter what your situation is.

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40. Learn How to Delegate

It’s okay to ask your children and partner for help. Photo Credit: Yuganov Konstantin/Shutterstock

If you are a stay-at-home mom, you already know that there is so much to do in a single day, it’s practically impossible to get everything done. If your kids are old enough, they probably want to help you clean, because they want to be just like you. Instead of taking on all of the work yourself, learn how to delegate tasks to your children. Even if it’s as simple as sweeping the floor or picking up their toys, these small things will actually help you a lot. This will also help teach your children work ethic, and they will be better equipped to take care of themselves in the future, too.

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39. Accept That There Will Be Bad Days

Everyone has bad days, no matter how happy their life may seem. Photo Credit: gpointstudio/Shutterstock

No matter how perfect your life may seem, we are only human. There will still be bad days. Instead of feeling guilty for having a bad day, just accept that they happen, sometimes. It is much better to let yourself feel your negative emotions instead of trying to push them down and letting them fester. If you are in better control of your own emotions, you will be a much better person to live with, too.

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38. Stay Organized

Remember to keep your home organized. Photo Credit: Archi_Viz/Shutterstock

If you cannot find things around your house, that can be a huge source of stress. So if you can take your time to make sure everything is organized, you will finally be able to breathe. Check out the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, and you will see some examples of how it’s possible to organize your home without giving up everything you want to hold on to.

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37. Budget Your Expenses

Making a budget will help you stress out less about money. Photo Credit: WAYHOME studio/Shutterstock

One of the number one things that couples argue over is money. It leads to countless arguments, and sometimes, it can even be the reason why people choose to get a divorce. Even if you are single, not having a budget will potentially hurt your financial planning in the long-run. Can you afford your monthly expenses? Is your income enough to help you reach certain goals? Are you spending too much? You will never know the answer to these questions until you write everything down.

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36. Invite Your Friends Over More Often

Homes are for sharing. Invite friends over. Photo Credit: bbernard/Shutterstock

One of the best parts about owning your own home is having the ability to invite friends over whenever you want. Of course, as the years go on, and we get involved in our careers, personal lives, and children, we can tend to isolate ourselves from friendships. This can lead to depression and feelings of isolation, and it may also damage your relationships. Instead of allowing that to happen, remember that both partners should maintain healthy relationships outside of the home. Invite your friends and family over whenever you can, and you will most likely enjoy your space far more than if you were left alone.

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35. Accept That Sometimes, There Will Be Messes

Sometimes, you cannot help but let things pile up. Photo Credit: mariakray/Shutterstock

For a lot of us, we imagine living a lifestyle where our houses are totally spotless and organized 24/7. However, this is almost never the case. We are only human, and sometimes, dishes, laundry, or paperwork can pile up in the blink of an eye. Instead of getting upset with yourself, try to just shrug it off. These things will get done when you have time. That isn’t to say that you should let your house slip into a hoarder situation, of course- but just be kind to yourself.

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34. If You’re a Stay-At-Home Mom, Don’t Forget Your Resume

Remember that one day, you may return to the work force. Photo Credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock

There are a lot of stay-at-home moms out there who struggle with leaving their careers behind in favor of raising children. As the years go on, it becomes harder and harder to get back into the work force. If you are a mom who plans to go back to work eventually, make sure you do not burn your professional bridges. Also keep your resume up-to-date. You can also take free MOOC classes online to improve your skill set in your chosen field, in order to keep up with any changes in your industry. This way, when it’s time to put the kids in daycare or on the school busy, you should be ready to transition back into working life.

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33. Don’t Feel Guilty Hiring Help

Certain chores, like landscaping, can be hired out. Photo Credit: Photographee.eu/Shutterstock

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Some people don’t mind doing the dishes or laundry, while others completely dread it. In some cases, you may be lucky enough to have a partner that will help you do the tasks that you do not want to do, but not everyone is so lucky. No matter what your kryptonite may be, there is usually someone you can hire to help you. It may come in the form of a babysitter, maid, landscaper, accountant, or virtual assistant. Before you write this off as something only “rich people” can afford, try to look into the pricing in your local area. How much is it? Is the money worth the stress it will remove from your life? These are decisions you need to make on your own.

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32. Always Have a Set Bedtime 

Even if you’re an adult, having a bedtime helps a lot. Photo Credit: Nelli Syrotynska/Shutterstock

When most people go to college or move out for the first time, one of the first things we throw out the window is our bedtime that was dictated by our parents. Unfortunately, though, this lifestyle cannot last forever. And there is a very good reason why a lot of parents want strict bedtimes for their kids. Studies have shown that having a consistent times where you go to bed and wake up will give you a much better night’s sleep. This, in turn, will help you have more energy and be productive in everyday life.

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31. Be Prepared For Emergencies

It’s best to be prepared just in case anything goes wrong. Photo Credit: Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock

We aren’t trying to make you feel paranoid, but a lot of bad things can happen when you own a home. The number of possibilities of things that could go wrong also increases significantly when you have kids. For a lot of people, this can cause some anxiety. However, your level of worry will dramatically decrease if you are prepared. Try to set aside a nest egg in case of a financial emergency. Make sure your insurance is up-to-date, and stock up on necessary items, in case you lose power during a natural disaster. If you are not sure where to start, ask yourself, “What worries me the most?” and try to find a solution to that issue, first.

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30. Practice Mindfulness

A lot of people find it helpful to practice mindfulness. Photo Credit: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock

Do you tend to zone out, or have problems being in-the-moment? This is why some people practice “mindfulness”, which is making an effort to be more aware. This can involve meditation, or just stepping back to appreciate your surroundings. Pay more attention to the sights, sounds, and people you are surrounded by. You can find free mindfulness videos on YouTube, or read articles on Mindfulness.org for more information.

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29. Teach Your Kids To Let You Have Personal Time

If your kids are constantly nagging you, they need to learn that you need space sometimes. Photo Credit: Pressmaster/Shutterstock

When you are a parent, it can seem like you never get a break. In the morning, you are rushing the kids off to school. Then, you might work all day. If you are a housewife, you will need to do all of your daily errands. Then, when the kids come home, it becomes a non-stop flurry of activity until it’s time to go to sleep and do it all over again. Once your kids are only enough to go to school and generally take care of themselves, it’s okay to give yourself some “me” time. Designate certain hours of the day that are off-limits, or put up a sign on your door when it’s time to be left alone. You may need to take turns with your partner in order to achieve this, but if you can manage, it is truly worth it. Not only is it better for your mental health, but it will also teach your kids to be more self-reliant.

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28. Ignore Your Haters

Don’t let the haters get you down. Photo Credit: ESB Professional/Shutterstock

Sadly, whenever you begin to finally feel happy and successful, there may be people who will try to bring you down. This can be extremely hurtful, and you will probably begin to feel like maybe you have not achieved your goals, after all. Receiving a lot of hate can result in poor self-esteem, anxiety, and it may push you backwards on your road to success. Instead of listening to hates, try to step back from the situation. Are they giving you valid criticism, or are they just trying to take you down a peg? Remember that people only become haters if they are miserable and have poor self-esteem. If they were happy, successful person, they would know how to be happy for you instead of getting jealous.

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27. Find a Job You Love

If you love what you do, your life will be so much happier. Photo Credit: Batkova Elena/Shutterstock

This next one is easier said than done. Depending on your resume, education, and work experience, you may feel limited on your job options. However, if you constantly feel drained and upset by your job, it is going to serious affect the rest of your life. Being miserable and stressed out at work can often spill over into your personal life. This can negatively affect your personal relationships, as well as your children’s happiness. And in the worse case scenario, it can lead to high blood pressure and a stroke or heart attack. For all of these reasons, if you really truly hate your job, it may be time to search for other options.

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26. Have Open Communication With Your Loved Ones

If you are having problems at home, try to have open communication. Photo Credit: pixelheadphoto digitalskillet /Shutterstock

Having a happy home goes hand-in-hand with being in healthy relationships with the people you live with. All too often, there may be a parent and child who are at odds with one another, or partners who feel as if they are walking on egg shells. Coming home should feel like something you look forward to. Not a toxic environment. If you feel like a relationship has gotten out of hand, try to sit down and have an open and honest conversation about the problems. And if it is necessary, consider going to family counseling.

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25. Give Yourself Breaks from Social Media

If you want to be happier at home, try to take a break from social media. Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

In the modern world, we use the Internet for almost everything, including inspiration for your home. Unfortunately, there is a fine line between looking at nice pictures and comparing your own home to the point where you feel inferior. We all seem to understand how looking at pictures of models in bikinis can make us feel inferior by comparison, but looking at designer homes can make you feel inadequate, too. Instead of obsessing over social media, put the phone down and take a break. Try to enjoy the moment, and appreciate your home for what it is.

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24. Teach Your Kids How to Clean Up After Themselves 

Teach your kids to clean their rooms. Photo Credit: Maria Evseyeva/Shutterstock

Sometimes, being a parent can feel like being a glorified maid. Even if you are not spoiling your kids with money and toys, you can also do it by doing too much for them. Even at a young age, kids can learn how to pick up their toys when they are done playing. They can easily learn how to do chores, too. The sooner you get them involved in cleaning up after themselves, the better. When kids are very young, they are excited to clean with you, because it’s fun. Take that opportunity to encourage their curiosity. If you do this, it will mean less work for you, and it will also help them grow into more capable adults.

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23. Give Your Pets Their Own Space

Your pets should have their own space. Photo Credit: Javier Brosch /Shutterstock

Having pets can be a really rewarding experience, and some people love their dogs and cats as if they are children. However, if your pet thinks they have free reign of the house, it can cause a lot of issues. Dogs can be territorial, and they will feel a lot more comfortable if they have their own space to sleep. You cannot exactly train a cat the same way that you can with a dog. However, cats respond extremely well to having a routine. This will help the both of you co-exist in a happy way.

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22. Go On More Dates With Your Partner

No matter how long you have been married, remember to keep going on dates. Photo Credit: Ruslan Huzau/Shutterstock

When you have been married for a long time, it can be all too easy to forget to bring romance into the relationship. If you have not gone out on a date in a long time, suggest an activity with your partner. Having fun is such an important part of enjoying life. Once you are out on a date, you may begin to remember all of the reasons why you fell in love with your significant other in the first place. Obviously, a happy and healthy relationship will lead to a happy home life.

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21. Don’t Hold On to Grudges

It is always better to let go of grudges. Photo Credit: Fizkes/Shutterstock

Sometimes, it is okay to let go of toxic people form your life. But when you live with the person you hold anger towards, and you aren’t planning to split any time soon, it is best not to hold on to grudges. We are not saying you should put up with bad behavior for the sake of getting along. However, once you address an issue, it is best to let it go and move on. If you are constantly bringing up something bad that happened in the past, it can seriously damage a relationship and make home life unbearable.

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20. Go Outside

Going outside more often will likely boost your mood. Photo Credit: Bogdan Sonjachnyj/Shutterstock

Sometimes, if you feel unhappy at home, you may be experiencing “cabin fever”. Getting too cooped up and have a negative affect on your mood. Re-connecting with nature can help remind you to be connected with the world around you, and enjoy where you live. If you have a backyard, try to spend more time in your garden space. Consider setting up and outdoor seating area, and simply enjoy breathing the fresh air.

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19. Travel More

Traveling can make you enjoy life, and help you appreciate your own home. Photo Credit: NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock

Similar to going outside more often, you may want to travel more often in order to feel happy overall. It will give you new experiences, and help remind you that there is so much more to life than existing inside of four walls. Oddly enough, this can make you more pleased with your own home, as well. Sometimes, when you travel, you will come back home and appreciate where you live more than you did before. As the saying goes, “There is no place like home”. After all, it should be the place where you feel the most comfortable.

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18. Join a Community of Like-Minded People

Networking events can be a great opportunity to meet new people. Photo Credit: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

As the saying goes, “no man (or woman) is an island”. If you are unhappy with your living situation, it may be because you feel like you cannot connect with your friends and neighbors. Sometimes, it can feel like no one in your town is on the same wavelength as you. The solution may be as simple as joining a local club for your favorite hobby. Or, you can find people online to talk to. If you are seeking more professional fulfillment, check out networking events.

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17. Be Kind To Yourself

Always be kind and respectful towards yourself. Photo Credit: WAYHOME studio /Shutterstock

In the journey to becoming a happier person, it is important to be kind to yourself. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemy, and our internal dialogue can be pretty harsh. Plenty of people are very hard on themselves, to the point where it can lead to depression. Instead of being self-critical, try to give yourself the same kindness that you would to a friend. If you can learn to forgive yourself for your mistakes, learn from them, and move on, everything should be okay. The less you dwell on self-criticism, the happier you will be.

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16. Learn to Recognize Toxic Levels of Anxiety 

Try not to get overwhelmed by the level of responsibilities in your home. Photo Credit: Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock

If you are a home owner and a parent, you have plenty of things to worry about. There is a lot of responsibility weighing on your shoulders, so it is only natural for you to have concerns about what could go wrong. But there is a fine line between a normal level of worrying, and clinical anxiety. If you struggle with this, make a list with two columns. In one column, write all of your worries. In the other, write the potential solutions, or the likelihood that it may not actually happen. Once you see your worries out on paper, it becomes a lot easier to understand your emotions, instead of becoming overwhelmed. If you can find solutions to your worries, you are likely to become a lot happier and hopeful about your future.

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15. Make New Friends

Making new friends can bring a lot of happiness to your life. Photo Credit: Fizkes/Shutterstock

When we own a home and raise a family, it’s all too easy to make that your entire world. Remember that you are still an individual who needs time to themselves. It’s important to make friends, even when you get older. This can happen at work, at a club, or through networking events. Maybe reach out to your old college or High School buddies to see if they want to meet up for drinks. If you are satisfying your need to socialize outside of the home, you are more likely to be happy once you come back.

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14. Invest in Having Great Memories

Remember to always be creating happy memories for your family. Photo Credit: Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock

A house is just four walls that keep us warm and dry from the elements. What really makes a home special is the love of our family. If you want to be happy and have the best memories of home possible, invest the time into making those happy moments. It could be as simple as having a board game or movie night. Go on vacation, and make it special once you all come back. Hang photos around the house of your happy memories, and you will be reminded of what a full and blessed life you have.

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13. Try a New Hobby

Spend your free time doing something you love. Photo Credit: CRAFT24/Shutterstock

Do you have a hobby? It’s something that you do simply because you love it, and for no other reason. You are not trying to make money or please someone else. Simply put, it is a way for you to have fun. It could be sewing, drawing, singing, or video games. This is not being “lazy”. As long as you are still getting all of your household responsibilities done, it is perfectly healthy for you to have fun with a hobby.

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12. Hang Out With Happy, Successful People

Try to surround yourself with happy and successful people. Photo Credit: Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock

There is a saying that you are the summation of the people around you. This is absolutely true. If you have a house filled with people who are drinking and partying all the time, then you probably will be, too. You cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends. And if you are choosing to improve your own life, your family will notice, too. Making positive changes in your lifestyle can help those closest to you, simply by giving a good example to others. This is especially true when you have kids. Your children will pay attention to who your friends are, and they will tend to emulate that later in life.

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11. Let Go Of The Past

If you want to be happy, let go of your negative memories. Photo Credit: Song_about_summer/Shutterstock

On the road to being happy, it is important to let go of the negative things that happened in your past. Bad things happen to everyone. Yes, some people deal with things that are far worse than others, and you may have some traumatic experiences. If you are seriously having issues moving past something, you may want to consider going to therapy. However, those bad experiences should not define who you are as a person. Try to let go of the past, and focus on the present. Once you are living in the moment, you and your loved ones will become much happier people.

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10. Practice The Danish Lifestyle of “Hygge”

Hygge is the Danish lifestyle of getting cozy and comfortable. Credit: Shutterstock

Some of you might be wondering- what is hygge? This is a Norwegian word translating to “to give comfort and joy”. Danish people are some of the happiest in the world, for good reason. They practice hygge in their daily life, rather than only indulging in it on the weekends. Some examples of hygge are to cuddle up with a warm blanket, a glass of wine, and a good movie. Or maybe it’s allowing yourself to eat chocolate and read a book. It could also be taking a warm bubble bath for an hour, and ignoring your adult responsibilities. 

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9. Don’t Stress Over The Things You Can’t Control

Why stress over things you can’t control? Credit: Shutterstock

Whether you realize it or not, a lot of your daily frustrations come from an inability to control a situation. If you’re stuck in a traffic jam, you can’t control the cars in front of you, even if you honk or drive aggressively. When it rains, it might ruin your plans, and there’s nothing you can do about it. So if there is literally nothing you can do about it, why get angry and upset? Learn to let these things roll off your shoulders. Practice the phrase, “It is what it is.” Years ago, I used to literally stay up at night agonizing over things I couldn’t control. Or, if I could take action, I couldn’t do anything about it until the next morning. I had to learn to tell myself, “There is nothing you can go about this right now. It’s okay. Go to sleep.” 

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8. Go on Picnics

Going on picnics with your friends has been a highlight of 2020-2021. Credit: Shutterstock

With the world changing so much in the past couple years, you may no longer be going into restaurants for indoor dining. For a lot of people, going to restaurants gave them a lot of happiness. If you want to still have a fun experience surrounding eating, try going on picnics, instead. This past spring and summer, my family went on a picnic at the park for every special occasion that we would normally go out to dinner. These picnics are so much fun, I actually felt like our family bonded so much more than we ever did before. Even if things go back to normal, I still want to go on picnics, because they bring a lot of happiness to our lives.

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7. Meditate

Even spending 10 minutes a day meditating can dramatically improve your happiness. Credit: Shutterstock

For years, I rejected the idea of meditating. I thought that it was too “woo woo”, and that it couldn’t work on me. But I was very high-strung, and it was the root of my unhappiness. My thoughts were going a mile a minute, and I was riddled with anxiety. After my anxiety began to affect my everyday life, I knew something had to change. So I finally gave meditation a try. I’m not exaggerating when I say that it changed my life. Now, if I feel anxiety coming back, all I need to do is take 10 minutes to meditate, and I am fine. If you’re new to meditation, check out these guided meditations you can try at home for free. Or, check out the show called Headspace on Netflix. This is a great beginner’s guide to meditation. 

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6. Indulge in Childhood Nostalgia 

If you have kids, embrace having fun with them by enjoying things you loved as a kid. Credit: Shutterstock

When you were a kid, you had no trouble figuring out what made you happy. It was easy to know what activities were fun, and which ones were a drag. But as adults, we often get so caught up in our responsibilities, that we forget to tap into our inner child. In 2020, my brothers and I all had our life plans interrupted, like so many other people. So we had to move back into my parent’s house. For the first time in years, we were all under the same roof again. Instead of getting upset, we fully embraced it as an opportunity to indulge in childhood nostalgia. We played video games, watched our favorite cartoons, and did all of the things we loved when we were kids. After tapping into our inner child, we are a lot happier overall.

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5. Pay Bills Early

IF you pay your bills early, it alleviates a lot of stress. Credit: Shutterstock

One of the biggest sources of stress is paying bills. In fact, money is the number one problem that causes issues with married couples. Waiting until the last minute to pay a bill is incredibly stressful. And if you forget completely, you can incur late fees. If you have a decent amount of money in savings, it might be easier to set up automatic payments. But if you prefer to manually pay your bills, get in the habit of paying ahead of time. For example, I get paid every two weeks. The moment I get paid, I go through a spreadsheet of all of my bills and pay whichever ones are due. Two weeks later, I repeated that process. This keeps me at least 1 to 3 months ahead on every bill. Because of this habit, I never stress out about bills.

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4. Stop Deflecting Compliments and Generosity

Accept compliments. You deserve it. Credit: Shutterstock

A lot of people out there hate taking compliments. They might deflect kind words, or try to counter it with a self-deprecating comment. Some people see this as humility, but it’s usually a deeper sign that the person is incredibly hard on themselves. They strive for perfection, and they often can’t be happy with themselves, even if other people are impressed. This sometimes goes hand-in-hand with accepting generosity. You may turn down help, because you feel like you want to prove to yourself that you can do it alone. Remember that if someone gives you a compliment or offers you a present, it’s because they believe you are worthy of it. Accepting love from others is the first step to loving yourself. The more you learn to graciously accept a compliment or be grateful for a gift, the more you can open yourself up to happiness and contentment. 

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3. Have an Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset is often the key to success and happiness. Credit: Shutterstock

A lot of suffering comes from a place of lack. If you always feel like you’re missing something, how can you ever feel whole? One of the easiest ways to become a happier person is by having an abundance mindset. In case you are not aware, an abundance mindset is all about training yourself to feel gratitude and joy for everything you already have, as well as what you will gain in the future. Even if you don’t have as much money as you want, you need to act as though you have that money right now. How would the most successful version of you behave? Once you align yourself to that, things tend to fall into place. If you’re interested in learning more, I highly recommend listening to Deepak Chopra’s 21 Day Abundance Meditation. It’s totally free on YouTube, and it only takes 15 minutes a day to complete. 

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2. Coach Yourself With Positive Self-Talk

Cheer yourself on, and you will feel much happier. Credit: Shutterstock

So many of us have the toxic habit of talking down to ourselves. The next time you’re hard on yourself, take a step back, and ask yourself if you would ever be that harsh to your best friend. Whether you say it out loud or inside your mind, practice positive self-talk. Tell yourself things like, “It’s going to be hard, but it’s okay. I believe in you. You can get through this, and when it’s over, you’ll be so proud of yourself.” Think about the advice or encouragement you wish you heard from someone else, and give it to yourself. 

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1. If At All Possible, Throw Money At The Problem

Can money solve your problem? If so, maybe consider spending what it takes to make your life easier. Credit: Shutterstock

I grew up with parents who were very poor, in debt, and barely making ends meet. All my life, if something went wrong, we often had to teach ourselves how to fix it, because we couldn’t afford to hire help. But as I’ve gotten older, I realize that I have to unlearn this habit that I grew up with. Most of the time, it’s better to pay a professional to fix an issue for you. For example, I run my own website called Inspiring Home. I agonized over an issue for over a year, and spent countless hours trying to teach myself how to fix it. In the end, I found a developer who got the problem done in 3 hours, and he charged me $150. It was far cheaper than I ever imagined, and all I had to do was ask for help. 

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