Telling someone just to ‘cheer up’ or ‘crack a smile’ isn’t always going to fix everything someone’s going through no matter how much you wish it would.
Whether you’re going through some shit, feeling run down and unmotivated or you’re happy as anything, I thought I’d put together a few things that are currently contributing to my happiness.
Having the biggest roller coaster of a year in 2019 with my emotions and mood, things have finally settled down and I’m finally feeling content and happy. Don’t get me wrong, there are still days where I get down and I just want to put my dressing gown on and get into bed but on the whole, things are pretty damn good right now.
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One of the main things that I’ve stopped doing is caring what people think. This was one of the biggest things that used to get to me and to put it bluntly, it just doesn’t matter. I used to be paranoid that people looked at me or I had something in my teeth or my dress was tucked into my tights or something and I’d be flashing every man and his dog.
I know how much that’s easier said than done but why do you care what someone who you may or may not know thinks of you? I’ve just learnt to be me, no holds barred and if people don’t like it, they can take their opinions somewhere else because, frankly, I don’t have time to care anymore.
Fully embrace being you, posting what the hell you like on social media, even if it’s a selfie where you’ve got lipstick on your teeth (yes I did that recently) and just live your best life.
Another massive part of my reason for being happy is the people I have around me. I have a close knit group of people I love to death with me through everything and I know I can trust them with anything.
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I have my best friends, my family and a special someone in my life now which I guess you could say has made a massive difference. He’s wonderful and has made me very happy for the first time in a long long time.
I’ve also found that taking some time for myself has been a real help over these past few months. After a crazy hectic festive period, I needed some me time and to just chill the heck out.
There’s been days where I’ve not spoken to anyone, I’ve just lit a candle, got cosy under a blanket and put the telly on and it’s been bliss. It’s nice to give yourself some head space sometimes and just wind down from all the business. Take this time to reflect and process your thoughts and feelings and make some changes if need be.
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Avoiding stress has been a big factor for me over the last six months or so. I tend to write lists of things that I need to do or things that are going to be particularly complex and work through them step by step.
Friendships and relationships can get particularly tricky sometimes and it can be easier to take a step back, breathe, and re-address the issue when you’re a little bit calmer. Counting to ten and closing your eyes can help massively.
A factor which helps me de-stress is exercise! This doesn’t have to be going to the gym (although this helps me), it can be going for a walk with your friends, dog or your Nan, pacing on the cross trainer whilst watching YouTube or just getting some fresh air.
Exercise releases all those endorphins which is actually good for your mental health too so if you feel down, stressed or just not you, get moving and you’ll feel instantly better.
That was just a few things I’ve found to help me and I’ll continue to action these things in my life for as long as physically possible. Being happy with your life and in yourself is the most important thing so it’s okay to be selfish sometimes. You do you and it’ll almost always work out just fine.
Comic Books & Yellow Ducks 