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52 Happy Habits and Ways to Find Happiness Within Yourself & Feel Better

No one wants to be sad and unhappy. So, you can learn how to be happy and enjoy every day as much as possible. Here are all the things you can do.

how to be happy

We’ve all been there before. The daily mishaps in life have you down. You’re feeling as though you’re stuck in quicksand, slowly sinking deeper into the pit of despair. All you want is to learn how to be happy.

It’s common for life to become difficult from time to time. But if you don’t know how to make yourself happy and pick yourself back up, you can run into trouble.

Getting stuck in a seemingly endless cycle of disappointment and internal agony is the worst thing that can happen to a person. 

These people usually end up depressed, unmotivated, and quite frankly, miserable to be around. But they don’t have to stay that way.

If this sounds like your story right now, take heart in the fact that change is around the corner. 

By learning how to make yourself happier, you can smile more, enjoy the small things, and live a far more fulfilling life. [Read: How to be happy in life – hacks to find real happiness instantly]

The science of happiness

You might be wondering what makes a person happy. Are they just born that way and it’s in their genetics? Or do people have to actively work to be happy?

Well, scientists have studied happiness, and they have tried to figure out what happiness is, how to experience it, what happy people do differently, and what we can do to feel happier.

Believe it or not, the study of happiness is relatively new to psychology. [Read: Positive vibes – 17 ways to welcome positive energy into your life]

When the field of psychology was formed in the mid to late 1800s, they were mostly studying pathology and worst-case scenarios that happen in people’s lives.

There were limited studies done on success, well-being, and high-functioning people. That’s because the scientists devoted their research to people who have a mental illness or those who had survived trauma and tragedy.

Then, positive psychology came along and changed that. Now, there were researchers looking at the positives of life. [Read: What makes you happy? It might surprise you]

For example, the questions they were asking included things like, “What thoughts, actions, and behaviors make us happier in relationships and more fulfilled in life?”

Here are some interesting scientific findings about happiness.

1. Money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness

Sure, it helps to have money. But money can only buy happiness up to about $75,000 a year. After that, the extra money had no significant effect on someone’s happiness or emotional well-being. [Read: The honest truth – can money buy happiness in love?]

2. Most of our happiness isn’t determined by genetics

While our genetics do play some role in whether or not someone is prone to things like depression, it’s not the only thing that matters. Our experiences in our day-to-day lives are what ultimately create our happiness.

3. Happiness can make us healthier

Happy people tend to have stronger immune systems, healthier hearts *lower blood pressure and heart rate,* lower levels of stress, and experience fewer aches and pains. They also tend to live longer than people who aren’t happy.

4. Happiness is contagious

When people are around others who are happy, then it makes them feel happier too. That’s why it’s “contagious.”

The positive vibrations that happy people emit to the world are picked up by the people who are with them. [Read: How to be happy in a relationship – 61 rules and tips to get into one and start happy]

5. Relationships make people happier than money

Most people look at rich people and think that they are happier than those without as much money. But research shows that it’s actually having quality relationships that make people happier than having a lot of money.

What does it mean to be happy?

We all aim to be happy, but what does that actually mean? How do you know when you’re happy? And is it a destination or a journey?

The truth is that happiness ebbs and flows. You might be happy for a while and then go through a tough personal issue and feel a little down. However, you will pick yourself back up because happiness will eventually return. [Read: Monogamous relationship – what it is, 51 signs, and ways to be happy in monogamy]

Many people confuse happiness with extreme joy. They become disappointed when they don’t feel on top of the world every single day. 

The truth is, it’s not possible to feel that way for long. Our emotions aren’t designed that way. True happiness feels a lot more serene, a lot calmer. 

You could argue that true happiness feels a lot more like contentment than extreme joy. [Read: Steps to change your life and find your happiness]

Why we need struggles in our lives from time to time 

As much as we’d like to have a life free of any harm and conflict, that reality wouldn’t actually be good for us. And as much as you’ll hate to hear that difficult times in our lives are good for us, it’s true.

Those hard times help make us who we are. They teach us lessons and build us up so we can handle the next disaster that decides to find its way to us. 

They’re learning opportunities, but we have to recognize them as such before we can use them as positives in life. [Read: How to be happy in life and live life to the fullest]

These troublesome times are essential for us to grow and figure things out for ourselves. They help mold us into unique and strong individuals. 

Of course, that doesn’t mean we have to like them.

Steps to stop fearing sadness

No one likes being sad. But some people are so afraid of it that it ruins their lives. So, how can you stop fearing sadness? Here are some steps you can take. [Read: 30 touching ways to make someone feel better and help a sad friend]

Step 1: Hear how you feel

The first step toward any kind of change is acknowledging that it is needed. So, just hear yourself and your inner self-talk. How negative is it? What do you say to yourself? Just get in touch with what your feelings are.

Step 2: Understand how you feel

After you know what your feelings are and you have acknowledged them, then you need to try to understand them. Where are they coming from? Are they valid or invalid? Why are you feeling this way? 

Step 3: Accept it

Believe it or not, accepting your fear of sadness will help you let it go. You can tell yourself that it’s okay to feel that way. But then, you also need to acknowledge that you can’t hold onto it anymore. [Read: 36 healthy ways to handle rejection and respond positively even if it hurts]

Step 4: Ditch it

The final step is that you just need to ditch the fear of sadness. Just let it go. Instead of focusing on avoiding sadness, you should focus on creating happiness in your life. That’s what this article is all about, right?

So, let’s get started.

How to be happy

As quickly as those terrible times come, we want them to go. Sure, we appreciate the lessons we learn, but we also want to get back to a happy life ASAP. [Read: Why do I hate people? 16 reasons and ways to let go and find happiness]

Because being happy in life is so much more enjoyable, and you’re able to do so much more when you’re not sitting at home feeling like shit.

You certainly need to sort through your problems and come up with solutions before getting back to a happy life. But if you’ve been feeling like your life is all stress, here’s how to make yourself happy.

Start with a few small changes and incorporate these habits into your life. And soon, you’ll see how easy it is to be happy… all the time! [Read: How to feel happy – proven strategies for instant happiness]

1. Take one day to yourself

There are far too many days when we focus on everything but ourselves. Sure, it’s reasonable to be focused on your goals and your work, but you need some time to yourself every now and then. 

Stop living for everyone else and live for yourself. If you find you always have a little extra time to help everyone but never have alone time to make yourself happy, then start putting your own needs above others. 

You will find that being “selfish” is a good thing for your happiness. [Read: How to be yourself – 26 steps to unfake your life and love being you]

So, take one full day and do whatever the hell you want! 

2. Vent to a friend

Sometimes all we need is to talk to someone. That’s enough to get rid of the dark cloud that seems to be following us around. 

So, call up your best friend and talk about your problems. They may even provide solutions you didn’t even think about. [Read: What makes a good friend? The art of honing your friendship skills]

3. Eat your favorite junk food – in moderation 

If you’re someone who counts calories and is pretty strict with your cheat meals, it may be time for you to loosen the reins and down your favorite junk food.

We all know devouring a ton of chocolate, ice cream, and even pizza can make us feel so much better. Just don’t do it all the time, remember the art of moderation. 

4. Make a list and complete it 

If you feel bogged down because you’re just overwhelmed with stuff to do, now’s the time to make a list. This is a great tip for how to make yourself happy. [Read: How to make the absolute most out of your alone time]

Sit down, write out each thing – no matter how small – that you need to do and work on until it’s done.

5. Don’t weigh yourself every day 

This is another one for all you calorie-counting folks out there. We understand wanting to look great and be slimmer, but the scale lies sometimes. 

The best thing for you to do is to just stop looking at it every day because the number may be putting you in a bad mindset. [Read: How to look better naked without having to weigh yourself every day]

6. Regularly do kind deeds for others

This may not be exactly what you’re looking for, but it’s definitely something that will make you happy. Do something nice for someone else and relish in the feeling of bringing happiness to someone else’s life.

7. Get rid of the toxic people in your life

Toxic relationships or friends are the biggest happiness killers that there are. The best way to be happy again is to ditch the people who are a negative force in your life or let go of the relationships dragging you down and making you unhappy.

There are times when two people just aren’t meant for each other and are nothing but toxic. It is okay to let go. Sometimes you must turn people loose if they stand in the way of you being happy. [Read: How to recognize and end toxic relationships]

Surround yourself with a tribe of like-minded individuals and watch your life transform. When you no longer need to focus on the negativity, you put all of your focus on yourself and learn to find happiness within.

8. Think about your health

How’s your health been lately? Something a lot of us don’t realize is putting us into a sour mood is the junk that we’re eating. 

If you normally eat a lot of processed and fast food, it could be affecting your energy levels, and in turn, your mood in general. Opt for fresh, natural foods. [Read: Benefits of exercise on your mind body, and libido]

9. Eat and enjoy it!

On another note, you actually have to eat. Even if you’re super busy, you have to make time for good wholesome meals. If your body is lacking in nutrition, you’ll lack energy. SO EAT. Especially eating breakfast.

10. Have a cleaning and decluttering session 

Maybe you’re in a funk because your house is in a funk. Spend a day deep cleaning the whole thing and watch how refreshed and happy you’ll feel after. 

You might not think this is a great tip for how to make yourself happy, but it can really work wonders. [Read: How to cheer yourself up – start with cleaning your place, and 20 other hacks]

11. Splurge on yourself occasionally 

We all know shopping is a great way to make yourself happy. And as long as you don’t make a nasty habit out of it, it works great! Buy that scarf you’ve been dying to get or go to a spa for the day. Do things that’ll make you feel good.

12. Determine what has changed

Figuring out the root of why you’re not happy is definitely a way to start making it better. Determine what has changed in your life to make you feel this way. 

Is it your workload? Is it a specific person? Find out that thing that’s pulling you down and fix it. [Read: 22 secrets of life – how to never be unhappy ever again]

13. Think positively 

Sure, this is much easier said than done. If you make a habit of turning your negative thoughts into positive ones, you’ll be MUCH happier.

Don’t you always wonder how those peppy, happy people keep it up all the time? It’s because they make it a habit.

If you want to be happy again, then start thinking positively. We create our own reality. If you believe that only good things can come to you, then you perceive life in a completely different manner. [Read: How to manage positive self-talk and banish negativity]

When you only think in positive terms, then there is no such thing as roadblocks or things that can get in your way. 

Your life’s journey is all wide-open paths to getting what you desire and what makes you happy. Thinking positive means never quitting or taking “no” for an answer.

14. Set small goals

You may feel really unhappy with your life because it seems like you’re not getting anywhere. This can be due to making goals that are too large to accomplish in a short amount of time. [Read: YOLO – what it means, 23 secrets to live life like you only live once]

If you set smaller goals, you’ll feel so happy about achieving them, and they’ll all add up to the big goal.

15. Acknowledge the small things

How many times a day do you get a compliment? Odds are, it’s more than you think. 

You may also have small victories throughout the day that you just fly by without even thinking about. Take time to acknowledge all of those little things, and you’ll make yourself happy. [Read: How to be chill and learn to live a happier life as a result]

16. Write down what you’re grateful for

Learn to be grateful for the little things. 

Many take the initiative to start a gratitude journal. Basically, this is a journal written daily just like your standard diary. 

Instead of writing about your recent meetup with a crush, you write exclusively about the things you are grateful for. [Read: 20 things to be grateful for that you don’t appreciate enough in life]

Writing about the things that make you thankful, will not only help you recognize all of the beautiful things that you have in your life, but you now have a record of these things to fall back on when you experience a rough day. 

Creating happiness in your life is the first step to finding happiness within yourself.

17. Do something you loved as a child

What’s something that made you overjoyed when you were a child? Go do it. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we sometimes forget the simple things that make us happy. [Read: 45 truths and real questions to get to know yourself on a much deeper level]

18. Do one thing you love every day 

Whether it is sketching in a notebook, singing at the top of your lungs, or even playing an instrument, don’t let a day go by when you don’t do something you love. 

This is something you definitely need to remember when learning how to make yourself happy.

19. Stop comparing yourself

This is one of the most important things to stop doing. Comparing yourself to someone else will only make things WORSE. You can never be someone else. You can only be you… and be happy with just that. [Read: How to build self-confidence – 15 ways to realize you’re worth it]

If you always look at what other people have that you don’t, then you won’t ever recognize your blessings.

There is always going to be someone who appears to have more than you do, be happier than you are, and outwardly appears to have it all.

But the truth is, you have everything you need inside of you to be happy. Stop comparing yourself to others or trying to live up to what they have and be grateful for the things that you have. [Read: Overcoming self-doubt – 26 signs and best ways to stop doubting yourself]

20. Forgive yourself

We all make mistakes. But allowing one thing to drag your whole life down is the biggest mistake you could ever make. 

Apologize to yourself for the things that you’ve done. You don’t deserve to hear the things that you tell yourself late at night, deep inside your thoughts. Take a deep breath and apologize to yourself.

So, in order to make yourself happy, forgive yourself and start moving forward. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and move on. [Read: How to be happy again – 20 really easy ways to draw happiness from within]

21. Always look for the silver lining

Even in the worst situations and outcomes, there is something positive to learn. Life is all about the experiences that we have with the world around us.

If you want to know how to be happy again, then always look for the good that comes from the journey. See all situations as fate and the way that it is supposed to be. 

Find the purest of joy in situations even when they don’t go how you want. That is the way to find happiness again. [Read: How to glo up – 20 ways to glo up and instantly transform inside and out]

22. Take pride in small victories

Sometimes we focus solely on the big prize and negate the awesome victories along the way. For every two steps forward, there may be one step back toward finding your happy place. 

But real happiness is found in each step and the incremental change that it creates in us and in our lives.

23. Enjoy the journey

We get so fixated on the end game that we don’t stop to enjoy the excursion getting there. Life is like a road trip. It isn’t about getting to the destination alone, but the trip getting there. [Read: How to live in the now – 20 positive ways to live in the now]

Stop trying to rush through life to get to the end and relish in the time it takes, and the experiences you take with you all the way along the path.

24. Don’t stay stuck

Nothing makes you unhappier than being stuck. The only one who keeps you stuck in a bad situation or something you don’t want to be in, is you. Even if you are in something that you don’t want to be, you always have two choices.

You can change things and make them better, or you can get out and move on. Staying stuck by not doing anything to change your circumstances is a surefire way to bring about unhappiness. [Read: Feeling stuck in life? How to change directions and live your dream]

If you want to be happy again, then only you alter things in your life to be the you that you want to be.

25. Change those things that make you unhappy

Being happy isn’t about having everything you want, but wanting everything you have. If something is making you unhappy, then it is time to ditch it. Whatever it is, it isn’t worth holding onto or having it if it makes you unhappy.

If you want to know how to be happy again, it is about letting go of those things that don’t make you happy and finding those things that do. [Read: Why am I so unhappy? How to allow happiness to gush into your life]

26. Dream again

If you are asking yourself how to be happy again, then you recognize that there was a time in the past when you were happy. Likely, somewhere along the way, you either forgot what the goal was or lost your dreams.

Dreams are the things that keep us going, make us feel alive, and give us hope that things can and will be what we want if we hold on and make the best of things. 

If you have stopped dreaming, it is time to remember what your dreams were and start shooting for them again. [Read: 17 life secrets to smile more often, feel great, and laugh your stress away]

27. Be present

Being happy means being present in your own life. That means not just going through the motions but feeling all the emotions. 

If you want to find your happiness again, it might just be about taking the time to stop and look around and enjoying the little moments instead of letting them pass you by because you are continually on autopilot.

28. Get your priorities in line

When you have your priorities all messed up, it is easy to become unhappy. Focusing your efforts or all your energy on the wrong things leaves you feeling empty and falling short. [Read: I’m so bored with life – 20 ways to bring the spark back when life is boring]

If you want to be happy, then it might be time to look at where your priorities lie and find out if you are working toward what makes you happy or what you think others want. Prioritize what is important to you and make your happiness your number one goal

29. Stop trying to control everything

Life is not to be controlled. It is wild and unpredictable, scary and overwhelming, and sad and happy, all at the same time. 

Unhappiness comes when you try too hard to control your life and what happens in it. Always thinking with your head and trying to anticipate outcomes leaves you feeling out of control and helpless. [Read: 20 glaring signs you have a control freak in you]

Those are two feelings that never lead to your happiness.

To find happiness, stop trying to control things and just let them come as they do. You can’t change everything. 

So, instead of fighting against life, work with it to get what you want and to find your happy place. [Read: Self-concept – how we create and develop it to control our happiness]

30. Volunteer 

Giving back and volunteering for those around you who need help is a sure way to find happiness. It isn’t just that you recognize that people are much worse off than you, it just makes you feel good inside to help those less fortunate than you.

31. Do what makes you happy

Taking time to do the things that make you happy are important. It is easy to get caught up and stop doing those things that make you happy. 

Life is too short to live never doing what you want. If you want to find happiness, then find those moments and experiences that bring out your happy side. [Read: How to cheer yourself up – 21 ways to find your inner happiness]

32. Learn to say no

Stop saying yes to everyone who needs you or your help. Saying yes might feel good if you are a pleaser. 

But chances are that you don’t feel so happy when you would rather be doing something else. Or, you are not doing what you are supposed to because you are too busy doing things for other people. 

Learning to say no to others can be one of the best things to gain freedom and find happiness again. [Read: How to say no – 15 ways to reason politely, stop pleasing, and feel kickass]

33. Unleash your mind

Stop thinking that things aren’t possible. Anything is possible if you set your mind to it. 

Think outside the box to get what you want and never convince yourself out of something. Go all in to get what you want and to make yourself happy.

34. Unplug

Happiness is not found on a computer screen. It is found in the faces of those you love. If you want to find happiness, stop building a life and friendships on Facebook and create a real life and connections around you. [Read: Sabotaging your happiness – ways you can ruin your life]

Put your electronics away and start living in this world, that is the best way to learn how to be happy again.

35. Exercise

Exercise helps you chase away any feelings of depression or moodiness that may be keeping you stuck and unhappy. 

Keeping physically strong contributes to keeping you the same mentally. Health goes hand-in-hand with happiness, so hit the great outdoors, or the gym, to find your smiley face. [Read: How to feel happy – proven strategies for instant happiness]

36. Set daily intentions

Another tip for finding happiness within yourself is to start each day by setting your intentions for the next 24 hours. 

Will you focus on self-care today? Will you stay positive in the face of negative situations? Whatever you want to achieve today is set out for you before you even leave the house. [Read: Daily habits to begin that will change your life]

37. Take time to get to know yourself

Who the heck are you? What are you into? What sets your soul on fire? Find your thing, and make time for it. You might really like reading a good Stephen King novel or playing an acoustic guitar. Whatever you enjoy the most. So, make a point to make time for it. 

38. Find your happy place and visit there often

Whether your happy place is a physical location or a state of mind, find a spot that brings you happiness and visit it often. [Read: Honest secrets to let go of the past, be happy, and look to the future]

Some people meditate which brings them to their happy place. You can meditate daily, weekly, or whenever you feel the need. Everybody has their own preferences.

You could connect with nature, and whatever that means at that moment. It could be your happy place for the time being. 

It might be the park near your house, your backyard, a cottage, or as simple as opening a window and sitting in front of it for an hour. [Read: 42 secrets to be happy being single and lessons singledom can teach]

39. You are your own standard

We often talk about our “standards,” and how we raise them or lower them to find a partner that brings us happiness. Again, they won’t bring you happiness, but you already know that, right?

Consider this, if you create a relationship with yourself, and treat yourself with kindness and care, you set a standard for possible partners. 

If they don’t treat you as well as you treat yourself, then there’s really no point in building a relationship. [Read: How to be comfortable with yourself]

40. Force yourself to smile more

Studies show that smiling when you are sad actually triggers our brains to feel happiness. How insane is that? 

We literally have the power to make ourselves happy. It is as simple as a facial expression. This is just proof that you have the power to find happiness within yourself.

41. The Law of Attraction is a real thing, people

You attract what you think about. It’s just the way the world works, guys. Think positivity, and positivity comes your way. [Read: Law of attraction – 37 secrets to manifest love and bring your dream to life]

Think happy thoughts, and happiness comes knocking on your front door. Once again, you have the power to find happiness within yourself. It is all in your hands.

42. Get creative

Some of us gave up crafts at the ripe age of 13, but pick them back up. Using your creativity is a great step in the process of learning how to find happiness within yourself.

When you have a physical result to show off, you feel a lot more confident in yourself.

For example, if you complete a painting or knit a hat, it is such a rewarding feeling to look at it and say, “I did this.” It could make you really happy. [Read: 34 qualities of a good person and BIG benefits of being a nice human being]

43. Hype yourself up every single day

Be your biggest cheerleader. Wake up and tell yourself “You’re gonna slay the day, and you’re going to accomplish your goals.” 

Every. Single. Day. This might seem silly, but you will move mountains if you do this, day in and day out. [Read: Easy mantras that will transform your life]

Learn how to be happy from famous people’s wisdom

The good news is that as downtrodden as you may feel, you are the one person who has the power to turn things around. 

Realizing that you don’t have to depend on anyone else to make you feel better is the first step to recovery and discovery. 

Sure, it will probably take time for you to accept the idea that everything will be alright, but if you look at the bright side of things, you will see that it is possible. [Read: Low self-worth – steps to see yourself in better light]

Whether you’re fighting an illness or trying to get over the fact that the intern got promoted above you, it would do you a world of good to be positive about the whole situation. 

Here are the secrets to teach you how to feel better about yourself, from people who truly know what they’re talking about.

1. C.S. Lewis: “Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” 

Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Albert Einstein may be leaders in very different fields, but the one thing they share is that they have all failed multiple times. [Read: Feel like a failure? 23 truths to stop feeling defeated and find your way]

Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first television job. She is now worth $2.9 billion. Steven Spielberg was rejected by the University of Southern California’s film school multiple times. He has won three Academy Awards. Albert Einstein had trouble learning in school. He won the Nobel Prize in physics.

Don’t feel bad for not succeeding. All you have to do is try again. If these people can pick themselves up, so can you. Read more about other wildly successful people who persevered despite failure here.

2. Elizabeth Gilbert: “This is a good sign, having a broken heart. It means we have tried for something.” 

Heartbreak is one of the hardest things to overcome. At times, having your heart literally ripped from your chest may seem like the more appealing option. 

However, the author of Eat, Pray, Love is right: love should not be a cause for regret because even if it ends badly, you can stand tall and say that you gave it your all. That is certainly worth something. [Read: The real reason behind why love hurts when it goes bad]

3. Lailah Gifty Akita: “Celebrate your life, this is your only life.” 

Regardless of how tough life gets, you have to fight hard to make it amazing, because this is the only one you’re going to get. There is no use in feeling sorry for yourself. 

Whether you’re fighting an illness, dealing with a death in the family, facing bankruptcy, trying to get over a heartbreak, or simply having a bad day, you have the power to make the most of it. 

Don’t give up on life just yet because, unlike video games, you don’t get a new one. [Read: 40 ways to have fun with friends, beat boredom, and create new memories]

4. Audrey Hepburn: “Happy girls are the prettiest.” 

To all you ladies out there, listen to Audrey Hepburn. She says that happy girls are the prettiest. 

It really doesn’t matter what you weigh, what color your skin is, what your hair looks like, how much makeup you have on, or how much your clothes cost. 

As cliché as this may sound, inner beauty shines through all of that and will be the biggest thing others see. So celebrate yourself and be happy. [Read: Tips to fall in love with yourself and be a much better YOU]

5. Marilyn Monroe: “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.” 

Don’t feel bad if you don’t live up to the bar set by someone else. You have to strive to become the person you were meant to be, not the person someone else expects you to be. Be strong, be proud, and you will dazzle the world.

6. Tony Hawk: “You might not make it to the top, but if you’re doing what you love, there is much more happiness there than being rich or famous.” 

Don’t feel let down if you don’t get that promotion you wanted, or if you didn’t score that job interview. There will always be other opportunities. 

At the end of the day, as long as you love what you do, that’s what counts. If you don’t already do what you love, then perhaps it’s time to try. [Read: How to balance your career, social life, and dating life]

7. Jillian Michaels: “Once you figure out the why, you can tolerate any how.” 

This saying applies to every facet of your life. From sticking to a workout regimen, to dealing with a long-distance relationship, there’s no reason for you to doubt your ability to accomplish what you set your mind to. 

Despite failure along the way, there’s no doubt that if you know what you want, you can do whatever it takes to get it.

8. Shaun Hick: “You need to spend time crawling alone through shadows to truly appreciate what it is to stand in the sun.” 

Most people don’t appreciate what they have until it is taken away from them. From a lover to a bank balance, only once you have seen the darkest of days will you feel grateful for everything you have. [Read: The happy things you need to have the happiest life]

Don’t feel bad for losing something because, at the end of the day, it is that feeling of loss and regret that will push you to appreciate what you have.

9. Paulo Coelho: “When someone leaves, it’s because someone else is about to arrive.” 

Gone through a heartbreak? Well, fret not! 

Despite what you are stubbornly telling yourself, that person isn’t the one for you. Life is all about timing. Only when the wrong one walks out of your life will it be the right time for The One to walk in. [Read: 58 life-changing secrets to get over a breakup and heal a broken heart]

10. George Bernard Shaw: “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” 

Don’t be depressed if you don’t quite know who you are. It isn’t an easy task. Why not take matters into your own hands and become who you want to be? 

It’s not too late to figure that out. Take time off from work, travel a little, meet new people, discover new sights, and absorb everything around you. 

It’s only a matter of time before your inner self will point you in the right direction. [Confession: I don’t know what to do with my life]

11. Jennifer Aniston: “Once you figure out who you are and what you love about yourself, I think it all kind of falls into place.” 

Take it from Jennifer. She knows what it means to love yourself. 

She was publicly embarrassed when her husband left her for another woman. She dealt with it elegantly and moved on. 

No matter how bad things get, you can certainly pick yourself up and move on. Focus on loving yourself and the rest will follow suit. [Read: How to be kind to yourself and others and love life instead of hating it]

12. Edward Bloor: “You get as many chances as you want, as many as you dare to make for yourself.” 

The number of times you fail doesn’t matter. What matters is perseverance and a continuous belief in yourself. 

Understand that the harder and more frequently you try, the higher your chances of success will be. If you persevere, it’s only a matter of time before you get what you want. [Read: How to stop being jealous of someone else’s success]

13. Ken Poirot: “The only thing limiting you is yourself.” 

As long as you realize that you are your own worst enemy, you will understand that no one can stop you from accomplishing your goals. 

Self-doubt isn’t a good look on anyone, so it’s best for you to shed your doubt and live up to your true potential.

14. Sunday Adelaha: “You are not on earth to simply make a living for yourself, that is too small a purpose.” 

Many of us hate what we do for a living. Don’t feel bad for questioning the direction your life is taking.

Understand that it is healthy to wonder if you were meant to do something else. [Read: The importance of purpose in your life and things it can do for you]

We are all on earth for a far higher purpose than being a part of the rat race and paying bills. Find that purpose in your own life.

15. Anonymous: “There comes a time when you have to stop crossing oceans for people who wouldn’t even jump puddles for you.” 

If you feel terrible for cutting people out of your life, or for even thinking about it, stop right there. You are worth far more than what other people think of you. 

You aren’t a floor mat whose sole purpose is to be walked over and wiped upon. If you don’t feel appreciated and think that you will fare much better without certain people in your life, go right ahead and slash them out of your world.

[Read: 17 ways to deal with the Negative Nancys in your life]

If you are asking how to be happy again, then you were happy at one time. That is a good thing. All you have to do is find out what changed and find your way back. Happiness doesn’t come from outside, it comes from within.

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Carol Morgan LP
Dr. Carol Morgan
Dr. Carol Morgan has a Ph.D. in communication and is a professor at Wright State University where she loves corrupting young minds. As a relationship and succes...