Saturday, 9 April 2016

Secrets for September: How I stay happy

Dear September,
            This is the one where I tell you how I stay happy… Ok, here goes nothing…
1           Pray and read a devotional in the morning.  
            This just gives me an overwhelming peace that doesn't seem to shaken by anything else. There is absolutely no replacement. Granted, it is difficult but once you do it a couple of times, it's not so hard anymore.
2           Work out regularly out if you can. Well, this one is a bit difficult if you're like me.
            Trust me, I wish there was a way around it but there isn't. Working out requires a discipline, and a level of diligence and commitment, that just totally changes the rest of the day. Most importantly, remember to go at your own pace.
3           Set SMART goals for the day and be strict with yourself.  
            Make a checklist and check them off as you go. You'd be surprised how satisfying it is to feel like you are getting stuff done. A checklist just gives your day a sense of purpose and you won’t be able to waste any time even if you tried.
4           Surround yourself with people who want you to be happy.
    This seems like a duh… situation, but it really isn’t. If you took a hard look at the people you hang out with, you’d realize that there are some people in your life that are not adding any value to your life. You need to get rid of them, end of story. It would be very difficult to keep being positive if no one around you is the same way
  Get rid of people who make you feel like being yourself is not enough.
      Do not pretend, and I wish I was saying this for a noble reason, but I just think it's too stressful and unnecessary. Being comfortable in your own skin in this society, is already a difficult enough. Do not hang out with people who will make it even more difficult.
6         Be honest with yourself
            Realize that it's ok not to be happy and chirpy at all times. Do not feel pressure to seem happy and content all the time. NOBODY IS. Spending all your time chasing happiness reduces the time you spend actually being happy. You cannot become happy if you don’t admit you are not happy.
7           Indulge yourself in a guilty pleasure.
It isn't really about what it is. The magic is in doing the activity. It really makes a difference. A guilty pleasure is perfect after long periods of stress. It's a couple of minutes where you just focus on yourself and nothing else. You have that time to just be still and unwind. Mine used to be 'keeping up with the Kardashians'... So bad.
8           Be in control of your own happiness at all times
      The more control you have, the longer you can stay happy. Besides, no one else deserves that kind of power over you. It is that plain and simple.
9           Find time to do the things that make you happy
      Never feel like you need to explain yourself because you don't honey. Literally, do whatever the hell you want and do not apologize. Realize that putting yourself first is not selfishness.
1        Sleep
      No, really… it makes a big difference. Waking up feeling refreshed puts a whole new positive spin on my day. Lack of sleep can put a dark cloud over my entire day. Going through a long day feeling tired, is just a struggle, an avoidable struggle.
Remember, this is our little secret…
                                                                                                                              Hugs and kisses,
                                                                                                                                                      Nini


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