This time of year brings a lot of changes into our lives. Schools are back in session, fall weather starts creeping in, outdoor adventures dwindle down, and as our wardrobes shift to pants we start to feel a bit sad that waiting for next summer seems so far away. The time sits a bit more still, as it is between the end of summer but before the hustle and bustle of the winter holidays. With the slower pace, it is a great time to start practicing or refocusing your attention to yourself.
If you don’t pay attention to yourself with what makes you happy, then you can never fully surround yourself with happiness. If you aren’t happy, how do you expect to make those around you happy? The effort and energy put forth into others will be fake and forced. Luckily, there are things you can do every day, that take just moments of your time, to keep yourself in your happy place.
Checking In:
Every morning when you wake up, check in with yourself. How are you feeling mentally and physically? Feeling amazing? Then get up and get going. If you are physically a bit tight and achy – take a moment to do a few stretches. Stretching helps encourage blood and oxygen flow throughout your body, which can lead to you feeling more awake quicker.
Feeling a bit anxious with a big day ahead? Then take a few deep breaths. Breathe all the way in and all the way out. Tell yourself – “I have control of today. Whatever is out of my control, I will release it and not focus my energy on it.” If you worry about things you cannot control then you are wasting energy. This could be valuable energy you could have focused on yourself instead.
Treat Yourself:
If you have a bit more time in the day for yourself, treat yourself to a massage, or take yourself to a movie, or get a manicure/pedicure, or sit down with a good book – just make sure it is something you enjoy and can take the time to not worry about other things going on in your world during that time. If are you limited on time, maybe grab your favorite coffee from a local spot, or grab a quick bite of your favorite thing to eat, or even sing as loud as you can to your favorite song – just straight up rock out! You’ll feel better. Even if you don’t feel better immediately, it goes back to the saying about how small things add up. Small positive things add up to great happiness.
Quality v. Quantity:
As long as you do something that makes you happy, that is what truly matters. It doesn’t matter how long it lasted, because let’s face it – if you worry about not having enough time to do something for yourself, then that defeats the whole purpose. Just focus on doing something that makes you happy, big or small.
Social and Solo Happiness:
One of these doesn’t have to come before the other – just be true to yourself. If you can honestly say that you, or in that moment, would rather be laughing with your friends, then spend your me time being around your friends. If you feel like being alone to recharge your batteries then do that. Just don’t feel guilty doing it. People who support you and love you will understand and support you for it.
In conclusion, you’ll notice yourself a bit less edgy, your relationships happier, your work life more enjoyable, the outlook on the world more positive, as well as many more positives. It isn’t a selfish thing to put yourself first. It is something we all should be doing already. At the end of the day all you have is yourself, and if you aren’t happy with yourself then you are as simple as that – not happy. You can’t live a happy life by not being happy. And if that wasn’t convincing enough, we love this infographic and information shared over at Happify.
