25 Easy Ways to Increase Your Happiness
Do you make New Year resolutions? I don’t bother. They tend to fall off my radar by mid January, so why bother? Starting the year with failure is not my idea of fun. These are 25 “intentions” I’m incorporating into my days, next year.
Here’s how I intend to improve myself, my life and my happiness in 2016.
1~ Not check into my email or social media before 9am. Sadly, that’s a challenge!
2~ Use my 5 Minute Gratitude Journal to focus on the blessings in my life. Gratitude creates happiness and happiness is my goal.
3~ Focus on today. Reliving the past or anticipating the future wastes the present.
4~ Let go of my need to convince others of my opinion. After all, I know I’m always right :). I don’t have to waste time proving it.
5~ Pay closer attention to my body’s signals. If I feel a knot in my stomach, I’m making a bad choice.
6~ Stop overcommitting my time to simplify my life.
7~ Get out in nature everyday.
8~ Become more aware of the negative messages that creep into my self-talk, and change them.
9~ Treat myself to pampering, self-care every day. A bubble bath, uninterrupted reading time, etc.
10~ Meditate for 20 minutes every day to find the silence between my thoughts.
11~ Be aware of the quality of food I put into my body. It’s as important as quantity.
12~ Go out of my way to treat people with respect. Everyone deserves respect, even idiots.
13~ Spend less time at my computer and more time talking to loved ones.
14~ Focus on the positive things in my life. Focusing on the negative is like praying for more of it.
15~ Spend time stretching each day. The older I get the more important it is to be flexible, in both mind and body.
16~ Don’t compare myself to others. In. Any. Way.
17~ Practice kindness everyday. What goes around, comes around, and I want good karma knocking at my door.
18~ Embrace forgiveness. Remember the lessons, but forgiving, releases negative energy I’m hanging on to.
19~ Schedule time to be silent each day. No music, TV, books or talking. Being silent allows me to hear my own thoughts.
20~ Be open to new experiences. I need to let my life unfold without a white knuckled grip on how I think it should be.
21~ Continue my Morning Pages to empty the clutter that clogs my thoughts.
22~ Drink more water and less wine.
23~ Continue to organize and clear clutter from my home and life.
24~ Remember that I am enough, and dump my need for approval from others.
25~ Practice non-judgement. Accept people and things as they are.
How are you planning to be happier in 2016?
This popped up in my Facebook feed for today from a year ago.
I appreciate it all the more for its timelessness. Thank you for writing it.
Happy New Year!!
I just saw this. It is incredibly profound. I am going to incorporate many of these into my own plan for the new year. (Loved #22!!) I never do resolutions either, same reason. Why start a new year off with failure! Thanks for this list!
Such a great list and so many great reminders! Wishing you all the best in 2016!
Thank you so much. Happy New Year!
I’m doing pretty well on all of these except the ‘silence.” Must get back in the practice of meditating. Just wrote myself a note, so thanks for the reminder. xoxox, Brenda
Meditating makes it all work for me!
XX
Happy New Years! Looks like you are starting 2016 on the right foot. Have patience with yourself…you are living a wonderful life.
So wonderful to hear from you! Happy New Year XX
My favorites are 4, 11, and 23. I, too, am avoiding the whole ‘new year’s resolutions’ thing and instead I have come up with own aspirations in the form of 16 Goals for 2016 which I posted on my blog.
I’m working on my goals too! Resolutions seem so negative. I can intend change and action without labeling past behavior as negative.
I’m an intelligent, divorced woman over 50 with no children, who lost her job 3 years ago and is now working for half of my previous salary. I’m miserable. I feel so unwanted and disrespected every single day now. I’ve been searching the Inet for hours today for some semblance of hope, some way to be happy that doesn’t involve looks, fame, money or youth — and isn’t the point of view of a man. Finally, finally, I found this brilliant list. Thank you.
I’m adding one thing to your list — spend less time on the Internet. I’ll be setting a timer.
You are why I enjoy blogging! Thank you. I’m glad you liked my list. We are enough just the way we are.
Excellent advice. Happy New Year! xo
Great list, Jennifer! I couldn’t help laughing at #4 and 12, but I understand exactly what you’re saying. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Elaine:)!
Goals and intentions, that’s it Jennifer! Happy New Year!
These are all SO good! Love them!
I do agree . . . more water . . . but, less wine? 🙁
Great list! Thank you for sharing! Now go get that massage! 😉
Happy New Year Jennifer!
I do need a massage!! I will call Monday! That’s one treat I love and my body needs.
Very thoughtful list. Each item on your list is something that I plan on working on (except the 9 am email checking, I am not a morning person–I need to make myself stop and go to bed at night).
Happy New Year, Jennifer!
Great reminder Susie! I’ve become a bit of a night owl myself lately.
Great list! And I like the way you can them “intentions.” Especially liked #5, #16 and #20 — and #12 made me laugh (how true!) Happy New Year!
Thanks Diane. Happy New Year!
Great ideas! Having a blank page always makes you want to start!
These are all fabulous recommendations! Happy New Year to you, Jennifer!
These are great tips! I pinned it to my Happiness at Midlife Pinterest board to share with others.
Thank you!
NOW< I NEED TO THINK ABOUT THAT!The COCKTAIL HOUR TONIGHT will be the first timeI will have to just BE.
I like your suggestions BUT The NOT LOOK before 9am……….JUST WIPE that one away RIGHT NOW!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
XX
I spend so much time on the internet I need that time before 9, to just “be”. Then I can jump into it. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Jennifer! So many of the goals you have written, better self care so that I have the energy to be good to others, to pay it forward, to spend more time with friends and family! Also to cherish each day and go on many adventures large and small!!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Happy New Year Wishes!
Excellent points. Some in my case aspirations. Wishing you a very HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2016.
All very good! The first one is so hard for me…I hit the ground going really early. And #6 is also a hard one. You are the third blogger this morning to talk about comparisons…I think it is a challenge for all of us.
Let’s have fun…smile…and be diligent together in 2016.
Happy New Year!!
Comparison is so toxic! I’m not surprised others are writing about it. I’m glad I’m not alone 🙂
Love these, Jennifer! Thanks for posting! 14, 16 & 18 especially.