31 Simple Things You Can do to Be Happy

31 Simple Things You Can do to Be Happy
19 Mar 2014

Over the past few years, my definition of happiness has changed as I've changed.

Life has taught me that simplicity is the key to happiness. Anything else is simply icing on the cake.

In honor of the United Nations' declaration of March 20th as the International Day of Happiness, I took some time to reflect on what happiness to me really means. To get you started on re-thinking happiness, here's a list of 31 simple things you can do to be happy:

  1. Smile.

  2. Hug your child and see who can out-hug the other.

  3. Call your mother. (Okay, it will make her happy.)

  4. Dance like no one's watching. (And who cares if they are anyway?)

  5. Snap your fingers and sing along with Pharrell "…Because I'm Happy…"

  6. Forgive someone.

  7. Send a card to a loved one. (The kind that needs a stamp and a mailbox.)

  8. Show gratitude. Every day.

  9. Exercise.

  10. Be silly.

  11. Be still and do nothing. Just for a day.

  12. Appreciate the lessons you've learned from your mistakes.

  13. Build something with Legos.

  14. Help someone reach a goal.

  15. Draw or paint. (No talent necessary.)

  16. Plant some flowers. (Even if you have a brown thumb like me.)

  17. Reconnect with an old friend.

  18. Give away stuff you don't need to people who do.

  19. Turn off the news.

  20. Pursue your dreams.

  21. Say "I Love You" to those you care about.

  22. Send a "Thank You" note to your parents.

  23. Mentor a young person.

  24. Watch the sunset. Or sunrise. Or both.

  25. Pray.

  26. Stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks.

  27. Get rid of clutter.

  28. Try something new you've been putting off.

  29. Let go of being in control.

  30. Laugh. Hard.

  31. Thank God.

What does being happy mean to you?

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Julian B. Kiganda

I hope you enjoyed this post! A little about me: I’m the founder of Bold & Fearless and a Transformational Brand Strategist. My gifting is in helping purpose-driven women transform and build million-dollar brands. I’m also an author, transformational speaker and multi-passionate entrepreneur. In 2014, I published my first highly-acclaimed book co-authored with my sister: Whose Shoes Are You Wearing? 12 Steps to Uncovering the Woman You Really Want to Be available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon. To learn more about how you can connect or work with me, visit www.julianbkiganda.com.




Comments

  1. Martine Foreman Says: March 24, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    Great post. I love anything that promotes happiness πŸ™‚ Life is too short to be any other way. And I LOVE the Pharrell song. I dance to it with my kids regularly..LOL.

  2. Evelyne Kiganda-Njuki Says: March 22, 2014 at 12:28 am

    My daughter's 1st grade teacher plays this track for them almost everyday. Good thing my family knows I'm a hugger. Love that best.

  3. Great tips! Happiness is a choice driven by the things we choose to do and not do! These all can make you feel good in some type of way! 

  4. This is an awesme list.  I want to get some leggos right now.  πŸ™‚

  5. Stacey Taylor Says: March 20, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    Love this! Sharing.

  6. This is a wonderful list. I couldn't help but smile just reading it (also I love that your mom comments on your blog!!:)

  7. Heather Hopson Says: March 20, 2014 at 1:15 am

    I've done most of these things! Guess that's why I'm always smiling!

  8. Isom Kuade Washington Says: March 20, 2014 at 12:57 am

    Great list full of reminders. Funny how so many have to do with thinking of others first. Thanks!

    • Julian B. Kiganda Says: March 20, 2014 at 2:30 am

      Isom, it's so true that doing for others helps fill your well…and your #happiness prescription πŸ™‚

  9. Jay Hurt Says: March 19, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    Maybe we can merge #4 and #5 (love that song)! I always lose at #2…my daughter loves to hug! Great post!

  10. Get rid of unhealthy food and eat whole food that you cook yourself. Your body will thank you.

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