Blog Challenge: The A-Z of Happiness!
Hello all! A recent #lbloggers chat about blog challenges got me inspired. I have a challenge list here of all the things i'll be doing before i'm 25. But, on a smaller scale, i thought i would do this A-Z of happiness challenge. This little challenge (and it was challenging) was created by Thrifty Vintage Fashion. I thought it was such a perfect blog post to share with you what i think contributes to happiness. I tried to be different from the original post as much as possible.
I'm really hoping this will helpful in your day to day life, as well as, mine! I really enjoyed writing this post. It helped me to really think about happiness in my own life. Am i happy? Is there little things i can do to make myself happier? The answer is yes.
So, here is my A-Z of happiness. 26 things that contribute happiness and what they mean to me.
A - Acknowledge
Acknlowedge all the people and things around you that make you happy. Appreciate others and don't be afraid to say Thankyou or show them you acknowledge their part in your life.
B - Beauty
Look at the details, all the little things and try to see the beauty in it. See the positives. Look for the goodness. Don't take things for granted.
C - Cultivate
Happiness is something that must be nurtured to grow and spread. You have to nurture it. It doesn't just come to you. Look after it, cherish it and help it grow.
D - Dare
Stand up and actually do the things that make you happy. Sometimes you have to be courageous and bold - do something out of your comfort zone. You have no idea how happy that may make you.
E - Endure
Happiness doesn't always come to you and it isn't always easy. Sometimes you have to go through turmoil to eventually find happiness. But, if you fight on through and be patient, eventually you will find the happiness you want. As Miley Cyrus said "It's the climbbbbb..."
F - Flexibility
Adapt, allow and accept change. Happiness, we know, isn't always an easy road. There will be bumps in the road.
G - Grateful
Back to 'A' - be thankful, be grateful. Don't just feel it.. show it! A gratitude journal is a great way to do this. Write down 3 things that you are grateful everyday - no matter how big or small they may be. Or create a 'happy jar' like me.. write down things you are grateful for everyday on a little piece of paper, fold them up and put them into a jar, when you're feeling a bit under the weather, pick one out. A perfect reminder of all the things that make you happy.
H - Hakuna Matata
"It means no worries for the rest of your days. It's our problem-free philosophyyyyy, Hakuna Matata!"
I'm not saying that we will never have problems or that we should just brush them off. But it's about not dwelling on the little things in life.. see the bigger picture. Easier said than done, i know but, sometimes you have to have this childish outlook, push the worries aside and just go for it. Try not to let the little things that won't impact you life 5 years from now, dictate your happiness in the present moment.
I - Importance
Figure out what and who is important in your life. Once you have done that, focus on them. Focus on the things that make you happy. Set them priorities. Value what is of significant importance to you.
J - Jump
Sing. Dance. Write. Laugh. Draw. Sleep. Workout. WHATEVER it is that makes you happy, even if only in the present moment, just do it. Be pro-active. Celebrate happiness. We often don't do that enough.
K - Kindhearted
We are taught from a young age to be kind. But i think it's so important to make kind choices on a daily basis, whether it is opening a door for someone, smiling and saying hello to a local, helping an old lady on the bus. There is so many little things you can do everyday to make someone else happy and in return, make yourself happy.
L - Love
I'm a wear-my-heart-on-my-sleeve kinda girl. Now that isn't always conducive to happiness but, sometimes you have to be vulnerable and allow yourself to feel. Feel it all, the good, the bad, the ugly. Chances are you'll look back with a warm heart and happiness.
M - Mindful.. (in the) Moment
Mindfulness is all the rage recently. It's something i've been practicing for around a year now - it has made a huge difference to my mental wellbeing. Being present in the moment is so calming, you notice things you never have before. It is about dealing with the moment, whatever your feelings, accepting them and moving on. It's such a peaceful practice.
N - Noteworthy
Sometimes it's good to do something big and amazing. It isn't always necessary for happiness but, sometimes it can be good to do something noteworthy and memorable. Not just that, but note these things down. Whether it is a journal, a photo album, a blog post. Anything. Put it down onto material as a reminder of the happy times in your life.
O - Openness
Be open to new people, new experiences and most of all, happiness. You never know what you might find.P - Practice
Happiness doesn't always come easy. It's something you have to work for all the time. It's a work in progress and something you have to practice every. single. day.
Q - Quiet (ssh)
“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” [Thich Nhat Hanh]You can't be truly happy until you're truly comfortable with yourself. So shut off for a while: switch off your phone, shut your bedroom door and spend some much needed quality time with yourself. When you become comfortable spending time alone, you will feel happier and more confident in every day life.
R - R & R .. Rest & Relaxation
There ain't nothing wrong with a bit of TLC. So have a pamper, put your feet up, get a good nights sleep and de-stress! This is sometimes all we need for a little 'pick me up'.
S - Safety Net
Find someone or something you can rely on to perk you up, to help you things off your chest and lift your mood. Your safety blanket.T - Trust
Having trustworthy people in your life that aren't gonna cause drama or unnecessary stress is so important. Have trust in them but also, trust yourself! Trust your own capabilities; you have everything you need within yourself to be happy.U - Unite
Back to that safety net, support group, trustworthy friendships. Unite with them, you don't have to deal with things alone. Strength in numbers and all that.V - Values & Virtue
Live your life following your own beliefs, morals and values. Knowing that your are doing what you believe is right is calming to the soul. Internal conflict will only result in unhappiness. Be yourself!W - Wellbeing
Look after yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally. There is so many ways to do this, exercise, diet, sleep, meditation/mindfulness, laughing more, ranting less. Don't neglect your own wellbeing, take care of yourself!X - E- Xcuses
Get rid of them. Stop making them. If your jobs making you unhappy.. find a new one. If you're partner isn't making you happy.. get rid of them. Not always that easy but, moral of the story, don't settle for something that isn't making you feel fulfilled!Y - (say) YES
Sometimes you just gotta' take a chance and just say YES. Even if it is out of your comfort zone. It could end up being a really great decision and bringing you a lot of happiness.Z - Zest.. (for life)
Last but not least.. have a zest for life. Have ambitions, goals, dreams, achievements. Do everything you can to achieve these and live everyday, quite literally, like it is your last. Cheesy but, yanno.
"Fake it 'til you make it!"
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