15 Habits Happy People Must Have

# 1. They leave space to love themselves too. Happy people know self-love isn’t selfish. They put their needs first because they see the power of showing up fully for others.  When you take care of yourself, you are better able to help the people you care about.  If you sacrifice all your needs in order to help them, you’re only showing up as a shell of your true self.

# 2. They focus on effectiveness over popularity. Never confuse popularity with effectiveness. Being popular means you’re liked for awhile. Being effective means you’ve made a difference. And it’s this feeling of knowing you made a difference that matters in the end.

# 3. They don’t get caught up in other people’s drama. The happiest people care less about what random people say about them, especially if their remarks are rude. In fact, happy people are often thankful for all the rude, obnoxious, and difficult people they meet in life, because these people serve as important reminders of how NOT to be.  They simply smile and walk the other way. 

# 4. They give to others whenever they are able. In many cases, providing social support is actually more beneficial to our happiness than receiving it. Happy people know this, which is precisely why they are always looking for ways to help others, while unhappy people stand around asking, “What’s in it for me?

# 5. They say “no” when they need to. Saying “yes” to everything puts you on the fast track to being miserable. We all have obligations, but a comfortable pace can only be found by properly managing your yeses.  So stop saying “yes” when you want to say “no.” You can’t always be agreeable; that’s how people take advantage of you.  Sometimes you have to set clear boundaries.

# 6. They sincerely practice gratitude. Gratitude is arguably the king of happiness. Consider how very fortunate you are. Consider it every day. The more you count your blessings, the more blessings there will be to count, and the happier you will be.

# 7. They cultivate optimism. No matter what the situation, the successful diva is the gal who will always find a way to put an optimistic spin on it.  She knows failure only as an opportunity to grow and learn a new lesson from life.  People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times.

# 8. They develop strategies for coping in hard times. It’s hard to be happy when tragedy strikes, for instance. But who lives longer and fares better after problems? How you respond to the hard times is what shapes your character. Remember, you become what you believe. Look at things objectively. Find the lesson and move forward. Don’t let a hard lesson harden your heart for too long.  

# 9. They are focused on the present. Never let your past dictate who you are today, but let it be a lesson that’s part of who you will become tomorrow.  No regrets.  No looking back in anger.  Just hold on to life and move forward.  We have no way of knowing what lies ahead, but that’s what makes the journey even more exciting – that’s what makes life worth living today. Live in the present.

# 10. They are fully committed to their top priorities. If you’re interested in something, you will do what is convenient. If you’re committed to something, you will do whatever it takes. Period. And ultimately, it’s commitment that creates outcomes worth smiling about.

# 11. They savor life’s little joys. Happiness is a how, not a what – a mindset, not a destination.  Happiness is enjoying all the small things, while chasing after the big ones. When we neglect to appreciate, we rob the moment of its magic. It’s the simple things in life that can be the most rewarding if we remember to fully experience them.

# 12. They embrace the impermanence of life. Just because something doesn’t last forever, doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth your while. As we grow older and wiser, we begin to realize what we need and what we need to leave behind. Sometimes there are things in our lives that aren’t meant to stay. And sometimes walking away is a step forward.  

# 13. They spend money on experiences. “Experiential purchases” tend to make us happier for two key reasons: 1. Great experiences improve over time when we reminisce about them.  2. Experiences are often social events that get us out of our house and interacting with people we care about.

# 14. They dedicate time to meaningful pursuits When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it’s easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people do not honor even half of their dreams and end up dying knowing that it was due to choices they made, or didn’t make. Good health brings a freedom very few realize, until they no longer have it. 

# 15. They live a life they actually want to live. Your hopes, your dreams, your goals… matter! Make choices that feel right.  Surround yourself with people who support and care not for the “you” they want you to be, but for the real you. Say things you really want to say to the people who need to hear them. Express your feelings. And most of all, realize that happiness in most situations is a choice.

Be content with what you have; Rejoice in the way things are Be content with what you have; Rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. – Lao Tzu Thank You Very Much Sompong Yusoontorn