10 tips on creating a happier you (for 20 something year olds)

10 tips on creating a happier you

If there is one thing I’ve learned from this life I’ve been given, it’s that happiness will not always just fall into your lap, you will in fact need to go out and create it yourself sometimes. I’m 27 years old and JUST NOW figuring that out. Honestly if I would have figured this out earlier and not (what feels like) “wasted” so much time just waiting for happiness to happen… I truly feel like everything I experienced in life, would have been THAT MUCH greater. And that’s the honest truth!

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True story: I lived in Scotland for 6 whole months and at the time I felt miserable. I focused on the terrible weather, the pure loneliness, the no job, the homesickness, and the lack of my favorite *materialistic* things, Instead of “creating happiness” in all of the amazing things I was surrounded by. Like are you kidding!!!!! I chose to simply wait for it to happen… in my apartment, all alone… now ask me how that worked out! To this day, the biggest regret I have is my life in Scotland. I hope more than anything to one day go back to that exact place and recreate happiness and memories, even if for one week. It’s an actual goal of mine because of how poorly I chose to look at the situation!

Had I figured out before hand, or even during, that happiness doesn’t just fall into your lap all the time, I would have most likely been living a dream. Fast forward To this day, we have been living in Saskatchewan for almost a full year now and it didn’t hit me until about two months ago when I figured all of this out. I yet again just “wasted” almost a year of opportunities of happiness I could have been CREATING, MYSELF. Let that sink in… because it hit me pretty hard. No, I’ll never get that year back, but after making changes I refuse to let it effect my years moving forward!!!

So here I am, sharing with YOU, all of the things I found that personally helped me figure all of this out, because I wouldn’t wish a lifetime without happiness on my worst enemy!

10 tips on creating a happier you

1.) comparison – THIS HAS TO STOP, IMMEDIATELY! It’s number one for a reason. It’s the hardest yet most important one to do. The SECOND you start comparing yourself to someone else, DROP IT. Whatever it is. Remove it. This can be SO HARD, and it’s something I think we will all be working on for probably the rest of our lives I’m not going to lie. But I think it’s important for us that if we nip it in the bud the second that we start doing it, we can slowly become better at not doing it in the first place! Whatta ya say? Give it a try in creating a happier you?!

ex: see something on insta that makes you think poorly of yourself? IMMEDIATELY get off the App and do something completely different to avoid taking those feelings any further. Hear your friends talk about achieving something you’ve been working so hard on but haven’t yet gotten it yourself? REMOVE IT! Remove it from your mind and turn your focus on THEM, how happy you are for THEM, individually!

2.) build self confidence – learn to love the person you are, in the body you were given. Again, this one isn’t always as easy as it seems. Fair enough! But everyday is a new day, and everyday you can choose to TRY! Speak and think positive things about yourself, and about your body. You only have one mind – love it. You only have one body – love it!

3.) alone time – SO IMPORTANT. I recently wrote a post on all the reasons why alone time is so important! I’ll link it here for you to read 🙂 But I personally believe it’s a key factor in creating a happier you!

4.) make healthy choices – SLEEP SLEEP SLEEP. Quality sleep is crucial on your mood and happiness! Be sure to move your body! I’ve been doing this first thing in the morning, because I’m able to, but as long as you do it throughout the day and make time for it you’ll be good! I don’t just mean going to the gym either. One hour won’t make up for the next 24! Walk often, stretch, pilates, weights, cardio class, ya know!

What you eat 100% effects your happiness. We all know that right?! Get your fruits, veggies, and proteins in and never skip a meal!! (No, unfortunately coffee is not breakfast nor is it a meal) Laugh more, practice deep breathing, meditate, and get outside for natural sunlight!

5.) create a daily routine – You all know me, type A list maker and all, and best believe I have a checklist of morning, afternoon, and night when it comes to my daily routine. Considering I am still legally unable to work here in Canada, I don’t have an everyday routine like most people my age. Therefore having a set schedule of my own to help keep me accountable, productive, and sane is the way I roll! If you do have more of a traditional daily schedule, try waking up earlier than normal to do a few extra YOU things in the morning. Wouldn’t it be nice to not rush out the door every morning because you chose to hit snooze 12 times 😉 I bet you, your day will go more smoothly and you’ll be happier throughout by just this small (but mighty) change!

creating a routine is creating a happier you! I said what I said!

comment on my instagram reel above with something that puts YOU in a happier mood! 🙂

6.) do something you love, everyday – chose one thing A DAY. If today is you getting yourself a Starbucks, do it. If tomorrow it’s you taking an extra long shower, do it. If it’s going for a long walk outside or down the Target isle, do it. You must create that happiness in EVERY.DAY in order to create a happier YOU for life! If you have to plan it out… seriously do it – no shame! 😉

7.) spread kindness – who else’s day is just instantly better when a complete stranger compliments you on your beautiful hair, or your great smile, or thanks you for waiting longer just to hold the door open. I know mine does, for sureeee. So imagine being that person for someone else. If you like that persons shoes, just tell them? If you catch them struggling with their bags or child etc. ask to help them! This will benefit them yes, but you as well. It FEELS good to DO good. I promise! It’s the little things. OF COURSE don’t just do this for your own self happiness, be genuine about it… and the self benefit will come naturally!

8.) different perspective – my husband constantly brags about how he hasn’t even “hit his prime yet” EYE ROLL AMIRIGHT LADIES! Meanwhile… us women in our twenties are literally in our prime right now!! I sure do not feel that way, but think about it… long. Think about the women in your life talking about how they looked and felt in their twenties and how great it was. (for me personally –> ) No kids, no mortgage, no wrinkles, no saggy boobs (IBTC if ya know what I mean) ETC.!!! Now do you see what I mean? We need to be taking full advantage of our “prime” days!

9.) acknowledge unhappiness – Definitely. Acknowledge what makes you unhappy, acknowledge how you feel during this unhappiness, and USE IT. Use this as a way to avoid all of those things while in the end creating a happier you. If you don’t acknowledge you’re feelings and your unhappiness about something, it’ll take much longer to get to the realization to just simply not do those things!

example: if being around a certain person or group of people really effects your happiness in a poor way, avoid making plans with them. I said what I said! Or if going to the grocery store really puts a DAMPER on your day (me lol) but it has to get done, create ways to make it less unhappy. (I make a list before hand always, + I now pop my AirPods in and listen to a podcast!) It makes it more bearable!

10.) learn to say no – and be confident with your decision! You don’t owe anyone an explanation. End of story. Period! If you’re asked to do something that compromises your happiness and mental health, learning to say no is the highest form of self care in this aspect. It is NOT selfish. Repeat that. Over and over again!

Now, cheers to creating a happier YOU <3

note

I must note, that I am not a counselor, nor do I have any mental health training whatsoever. Like I said above, these tips are what helped me and my own personal growth! And as much as I hope to help you with just my simple knowledge, please know that it’s OKAY to seek professional help! <3

Thank you all so much for being here and reading my posts! If you’d love to get an email notifying you when I upload a new post, simply JOIN THE LIST on my home page (it’s free!) and you’re good to go! See you next post!

XOXO – B

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