Do you feel a lack of purpose?
Are you struggling to figure out how to be happy again?
If so, you’re not alone. Many people go through tough times that make them feel like they’ll never be happy again. Your feelings are valid, especially with what is going on around us. Although your feelings may be strong, and your vision for a “happier you” are hard to see, there are things you can do to find that peaceful, content, happy person within you again.
In this blog post, you will discover five ways to start rebuilding your happiness and reclaiming your life. If you are ready to find happiness again, read on.
Give yourself time to heal after a tough season of life.
One of the foundational pieces to learning how to be happy again is remembering to give yourself time to heal after a difficult times or a major life event. By giving yourself grace and space to come to terms with what you’re feeling mentally and emotionally, you can begin rebuilding your happiness and finding purpose in your daily life.
Whether you just went through a big life transition, a traumatic event, or have felt stuck in a season of life – remember that it takes time to be happy again.
It’s okay to cry, feel pain, and experience all the emotions that come with tough times or big life transitions. In fact, crying and allowing yourself to go through the many emotions you are feeling is part of the healing process. If you suppress these emotions, you can halt and prolong the entire process.
Your happiness is much more than your difficult experiences. Try not to define who you are or your happiness by any singular event or thing that has happened to you.
How do you move on from a tough season of life?
How do you give yourself time to heal?
One of the best ways to do this is to write out a comparison list of all the things that make you happy and all the things that make you feel unhappy.
Here are some examples of things that might make you feel happy:
- Being surrounded by loved ones
- Doing something you’re passionate about
- Accomplishing a goal
- Feeling healthy and physically fit
- Helping others
here are some examples of things that might make you feel unhappy:
- Isolation and loneliness
- Dwelling on past failures
- Not having any goals or a sense of purpose
- Feeling unhealthy and physically unfit
- Wishing you were someone else
Once you have your list, it’ll be easier for you to identify the thoughts and activities that are pulling you down. From there, you can begin making a conscious effort to engage in things that make you happy and steer clear of the things that make you unhappy.
Do things that make you happy.
By reconnecting with your passions and doing things that make you happy, you are actively bringing joy and positivity into your life.
Maybe there are hobbies you used to enjoy but haven’t had time for lately. Or maybe there are things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance to try.
Too often, life requires you to push back on all the activities you once enjoyed. It is applauded when you take on more responsibility and abandon things that mean a lot to you but don’t make you money or serve a purpose.
Challenge this status quo. Joy is not something merely meant for children or young adults. It is an essential part of balancing a hectic day full of a long to-do list.
Give yourself permission to have fun, find joy, and do the things that you once loved. See how you feel after doing so, and assess if this is something you should make a priority.
So how do you find your passion?
Do you know what your passions are? Sometimes, you may have stepped away from what you once enjoyed long enough to forget. Or maybe times have changed and you want to try something new.
Here are 4 questions to help you figure out your current passions:
- Think about the things you loved doing as a kid. What were your favorite hobbies?
- What are the things you find yourself drawn to when you have free time?
- What are the things you daydream about doing?
- What would you do if you had unlimited time and resources?
Asking yourself these questions can help give you some clues about your current passions or new activities to try out. Once you know what your passions are, you can start working on incorporating them into your life.
Find new ways to connect with the people you love.
A major benefit of having close relationships is that they provide us with support and contribute to our overall happiness. If you’re trying to figure out how to be happy again, find new ways to connect with the people you love.
This could mean reaching out to old friends, spending more time with family, or making new friends.
The important thing is that you surround yourself with people who make you feel good and support you. These are the people who will help lift you up when you’re feeling down and who will be there for you through thick and thin.
Also, the ability to support others in their life can bring feelings of happiness and purpose. Allow your friends and loved ones to lean on you in hard times and for celebration during good times. Relationships are a two-way street, and there is a lot of fulfillment that can come from investing time and effort into them.
Rediscover your sense of self-worth and confidence.
When you’re feeling unhappy, it’s common to lose sight of your self-worth and confidence. But it’s important to remember that we are all worthy of love and happiness.
One way to rediscover your self-worth is to start practicing self-love and self-care.
Some practical ways to practice self-love and self-care are:
- treating yourself with kindness and respect
- giving yourself permission to make mistakes
- setting boundaries with the people in your life
- taking a break from social media
- setting aside time for yourself each day
- start talking to a counselor
When you start practicing self-love and self-care, you’ll feel better about yourself. And as your sense of self-worth and confidence grows, you’ll find that you’re learning how to be happy again.
Take care of your physical and mental health.
Last but not least, it’s important to take care of your physical and mental health if you want to be happy again.
Some practical ways to take care of your physical and mental health:
- Eating healthy
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough sleep
- Learning healthy ways to manage stress
- Taking breaks when you need them
- Seeking professional help if you’re struggling
When you take care of your physical and mental health, you’re giving yourself the best possible chance to be happy again.
So there you have it — five ways to step into a new you. I hope these tips were helpful and that you’ll be able to use them to start learning how to be happy again.
Remember to give yourself time to heal, reconnect with your passions, find new ways to connect with the people you love, rediscover your sense of self-worth and confidence, and take care of your physical and mental health. And do what’s best for you!
Ready to take steps towards a new you and discover how to be happy again?
Makin Wellness is here to help you on your journey to happiness. We offer mental health counseling and therapy services that can help you heal, grow, and thrive. Schedule an appointment today. We want to join you on your journey and help you learn how to be happy again!
