So many people that know both of us say that we are an unlikely pair of best friends. “But you’re so different,” they’ll say. Yes, it’s true that one of us has had her hair purple, blue, pink, and everything in between, while the other has stayed true to her roots as a blonde… her entire 28 years on this earth. If you know us though, you’ll realize each of us is also a positive, happy person. Both of us often hear, “Why are you always in a good mood?” or our personal favorite (and by personal favorite, we mean LEAST favorite) “It must be nice to [insert nice thing here].” Well, let us be the first to tell you that happiness doesn’t grow on trees. We weren’t born with the natural ability to avoid and overcome all of life’s hardships, disappointments, and failures. No. We choose to be happy. Despite the things in our life that utterly destroy our hearts, disappoint us continuously, and knock us down, we choose to get up. Whether you believe it or not, your state of happy is a choice.
How do we pick ourselves back up when life gets up down? We’ve identified the ways that we intentionally choose happiness. And as we head in 2019, we want to share with you 19 ways to be happier in the upcoming year!
- Travel. Take a trip. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It doesn’t have to be far. It can even be spur of the moment. Pack your bags and set aside a week or weekend to go see some place you haven’t before.
- Try something new. Try a new workout class. Try a new food. Try kayaking or skiing. Get out of the rut you’re in and break the mold.
- Do something for you. Self-love isn’t a bad thing. Get that massage. Do that face mask, hair mask, lip mask. Go to the concert. Buy that bag, those shoes you’ve had your eye on. It’s ok to pamper yourself sometimes.
- Do something for someone else. If you want to experience true happiness, do something that will make someone else happy. To us, it’s one of the best ways to make our hearts’ smile.
- Get rid of the old. Whether it’s clutter, old clothes, old friends, old vibes, if it’s making you unhappy, get rid of it. To bring in the new, you must purge the old!
- Get a dog. While Erin’s always known the love of a dog, Ashley is new to this incredible phenomenon. Taking care of a pooch is a whole new level of happiness. Having a wagging tail and puppy kisses readily available the moment you walk through the door is one of God’s greatest gifts. Unconditional love.
- Compliment yourself. We are our own biggest critics. Show yourself some love. It’s OK to say, “Hey, I look pretty in this new top.” Stop tearing yourself down and start building yourself up. Be confidently you.
- Smile. Walk into work, school, and/or family functions with a smile on your face. The way you express yourself externally affects how you feel internally. It also has an effect on how others treat you in return. Be pleasant and approachable.
- Utilize a planner. Live intentionally. Stop being stressed. Write down your appointments and plans and schedule your time wisely. Planned out days mean more time for you.
- Get up and get ready. Even when you don’t feel like it, get up and get moving. Lying around feeling sorry for yourself is just going to put you into a downward spiral of depression and sadness. Get up, get ready. When you look your best, you will feel your best. Get living!
- Stop comparing yourself. Spend less time on social media, especially if it’s causing you to compare yourself to others. News flash: More than 85% of what you see on social media is photoshopped and enhanced. More than that are cosmetically enhanced. Stay true to you and be real. It’s rare these days.
- Get up early and drink coffee. Set your alarm and get up early. Don’t waste your day away sleeping. Make yourself a cup of coffee to get your metabolism going and conquer your day. Throw a little of your favorite creamer in there too. 😉 (Stopping at your favorite coffee shop some days is OK too! Treat yourself!)
- Start a daily devotional. Start a devotional or Bible journal that is going to get you focused on living like Christ first thing in the morning.
- Be positive. One of our favorite things to do when everyone is complaining is to say something positive about the situation. Spread a little bit of positivity just by displaying a new outlook.
- Say something nice. Don’t just think it, say it. You could make someone’s entire week! Avoid gossip and negativity. It starts with you.
- Be healthy most days, but indulge sometimes. Eat healthy, workout, and be active, but it’s not a crime to indulge in the foods and drinks you love every now and then. Don’t be afraid to enjoy life. Your favorite pants will still fit. Well, your leggings will anyway. :p
- Turn everyday errands or the drive to work into a mini party. When either of us roll into a parking lot, they know we’re here. Music is kind of a big deal. Whether you’re driving to the grocery store, cleaning your house, cooking dinner, or just driving to work, listen to music that lifts your spirits. Then, crank it up and sing along.
- Make time for your hobbies. Go to that yoga class a few times a week. Go fishing with your dad. Put together that scrapbook you’ve been dying to assemble. Read the book. Go for the walk. Go to the game. See the movie. Whatever it is that your heart beats for, make time for it.
- Talk to God. Begin and end every day in prayer (and in between if you’d like). There is a God and he is bigger than all of your problems, disappointments, and failures. He wants to know you. Talk to Him. Before you complain, before you break down and cry, give up your worries and anxieties to the only One who can bring you through them.
Make this your best year yet. Only you can.
Happy New Year,
Er & Ash
I loved the insightful points. They are full of wisdom.