Happiness is a State of Mind
For as long as we’ve existed, we have always been on the search for happiness. As humans, we desire and crave to be happy so we can live life to fullest. I understand this entirely, as I used to be someone on the search for happiness and it usually was in the form of material things or, of course, true love.
Little did I know that no matter how many things I had, no matter how much money I made, and no matter how much someone loved me, I would never truly find happiness. It wasn’t until I went through my darkest days that I truly understood what it means to be happy.
You’re probably thinking, WHAT? How can you be sad and grieving, but also be happy? The answer is, you can’t. Let me say that again. You cannot be sad and happy at the same time. It is humanly impossible. There’s good news though.
Before I get into the nitty gritty of happiness, I want to make something clear. Happiness is not an actual emotion. It’s a state of mind. Happiness is based on circumstances. Wait, didn’t I just say that there’s nothing external that can make us truly happy? Yes, however, I didn’t mention the catch.
Being happy while being sad is impossible, but choosing joy in the midst of grief and sadness is absolutely possible. It is ALOT easier said than done, but possible nonetheless.
This is why this blog post is called “Happiness is a State of Mind.” Once you choose joy, even during the challenging times, your mindset will generally be happier and more positive. You’ll find the good in the bad and you’ll find growth opportunities within the adversities of life.
I know it can be difficult to choose joy during hardship so I have created a few tips that can help:
Journal Prompts: Write down one positive thing for every negative aspect of your situation. I can almost guarantee your positive list will be longer than your negative. This will put things into perspective.
Quiet Time: Take just five minutes to sit still and appreciate the air you are breathing. You are alive and every day is a gift. Let that sink in.
Mindful Eating: Prep or purchase your favorite food and take each bite slowly and intentionally. Taste and smell are one of the best senses associated with memories, particularly good memories. These memories should remind you of good times and times when you felt a sense of happiness.
Phone a Friend: I don’t mean just any friend. I mean someone who especially has positive energy and genuinely wants to make a world a better place. These types of people can literally make you feel a billion times happier the moment you are in their presence. (physically or virtually)
Play Time: We usually associate play time to that of a child, since children are not usually not quite associated with the concept of sadness or stress, they enjoy play time to the fullest. I am sure you can remember a time in your childhood playing your favorite game and doing your favorite activity. Guess what? The concept of play can still make a positive impact as an adult! Try using a hula hoop, playing a board game, or coloring in a coloring book full of your favorite animated characters.
These tips have personally helped when choosing joy in the midst of sadness. Just know that you are not alone and that every single person struggles with this. Hang tight and don’t give up on this thing called life, even when it gets really tough. Choose joy today and remember all the memories and things that make you genuinely happy. There’s so much to be joyful about!
Love you all and take care.
MM
