10 Ways to Find Happiness Within Yourself

Jul 21, 2025

By Will Moore

‘Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.’- Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

Let’s just be honest.

The world is not a happy place. According to the latest statistics by the CDC, suicide was recently ranked as the second-leading cause of death in the US for people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old. Each year, about 7 out of 100,000 young adults die by suicide, and that number only seems to be growing. The World Health Organization has called depression the greatest threat to global health.

How can we cope with such a bleak reality? How can we find joy in life and happiness in a world that seems to be falling apart? You might think happiness depends on external factors, such as achievements, relationships, or possessions. But these things are not enough to make you happy.

In fact, they often make you unhappy, as you constantly compare yourself to others or chase after things that don’t satisfy you. Happiness is not something you can get from outside; it’s something you create from within, and that’s what you will learn today.

This blog will discuss 10 ways to find happiness within yourself. Let’s jump into it!

What Does Finding Happiness Within Yourself Really Mean?

Finding happiness within yourself means creating a stable, internal foundation for joy that doesn’t depend on external circumstances like career success, relationships, or material achievements. These external factors can enhance your life, but they shouldn’t define your self-worth or be your primary source of happiness. Instead, think of them as bonuses, not the main pillars of your emotional well-being.

A good way to check if you’re truly grounded in self-created happiness is to ask yourself:

Would I still feel valuable if I lost my job or a relationship today?
Do my daily actions reflect what I genuinely care about and value?

When your sense of worth is tied to things you can control, such as your habits, beliefs, and personal goals, happiness becomes more predictable and lasting.

10 ways to find happiness within yourself

1. Work on Self-Awareness

The first step towards happiness is understanding what will make you happy and then working towards it. The journey of self-awareness is about evaluating yourself to see where you stand. This whole process involves a deep understanding of your thoughts and emotions.

Happiness is closely tied to the self-growth journey, and growth is not possible without thorough introspection. To have a better sense of self-awareness, you should dedicate time to pause and reflect on personal values, beliefs, and aspirations.

Acknowledging your feelings plays a significant role in fostering a better sense of self-awareness. As Carl Jung says, ‘Your visions will become only clear if you look into your heart.’

2. Escape Victim Mentality

Psychologist Martin Seligman describes victim mentality as learned helplessness, where people believe that they have no control over their situation despite the opportunities that exist.

The question is how to avoid victim culture as a whole. Two of the most important steps to break free from the shackles of victim mentality are;

Taking responsibility for your thoughts and actions.
Do not take rejections personally.

As the happiness expert Rochelle Gapere said on our podcast, ‘40 per cent of happiness is in our full control.’

People who take responsibility and consider themselves active agents in their lives tend to have happier lives. So, to be happy, one has to come out of a victim mentality and develop a growth mindset. Start owning your mistakes, take failures as opportunities to grow, and see how happy your life becomes.

3. Pursue Meaningful Goals

Happiness stems from having a purpose and clarity, which can be attained by having goals in life.

‘All one has to do is pick a meaningful goal and work towards it’, said Sebastian Terry, a leading career and mental health speaker. He further explained that the moment we identify our goal, good dopamine gets released in our bodies, making us instantly happy. Imagine how much dopamine is released when you truly accomplish your goals.

Recent research on "Happiness Through Goal-Setting Training" demonstrated that programs helping people reflect on their reasons for goal pursuit significantly improve life satisfaction, positive affect, and work engagement. Hence, having goals is an integral part of happiness within oneself, and this is your sign to work towards having goals and making them a reality.

4. Be in the Present Moment

Most of our daily routine is on auto-pilot mode like we keep doing things automatically without being fully present. Being mindful means breaking that cycle and making space for a heightened sense of being alive. Studies by the American Psychological Association indicate that mindfulness practices contribute to stress reduction and foster better psychological well-being.

To be mindful, one must be present-minded, but how we can be present-minded? The answer lies in incorporating certain habits in our lives, including taking breaks while jumping from one task to another, enjoying small moments, and actively engaging in conversations. Remember, small changes lead to big results. Once you acknowledge the little things around you, happiness naturally becomes a lifestyle.

5. Be Consistent

Happiness is about creating healthy habits and then consistently working towards them. As Aristotle said, ‘You are what you repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.’

Chase Chewning, a soldier turned health and fitness entrepreneur, said, ''Simplicity lies in consistency, and success and happiness are all about how often you keep showing up''.

In these modern times, everything is one click away, making us extremely impatient. Consistency is about showing up every day, especially when you don’t feel like it. Studies indicate that consistent routine and habit formation are crucial in sustaining mental health and happiness.

6. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is about being grateful, even for the little things in life. This particular mindset not only helps us get rid of negativity but also shifts our focus to what we have instead of what we don't.

One of the best ways to practice gratitude is by journaling. Penning our blessings down helps us to appreciate them fully. Studies suggest that practicing gratitude helps lower stress levels, which in turn, makes you happy. The importance of living in gratitude is beautifully summarised by Zig Ziglar, who said, ‘Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.’

7. Practice Self-Love

‘Why do I depend on others for happiness?’ If you ask this question frequently, the chances are that you lack self-love. Self-love is a nurturing force that is crucial to finding happiness within. By practicing self-love, we move towards self-acceptance, which fosters a deep sense of peace and contentment. Once we embrace self-love, we experience less negative self-talk and more alignment in life. But where should we start the self-love journey?

The first step towards self-love is self-care, like taking care of yourself emotionally, physically, and mentally. You can start this by initially going for walks, surrounding yourself with positive people, and practicing meditation. Once you honour your needs, you live a balanced life. As the philosopher Lucille Ball said, ‘Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.’

8. Do Something for Someone

‘It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.’- Mother Teresa

Kindness and generosity are the key factors that increase the level of happiness within. When it comes to doing something for someone, it doesn't always have to be grand or big. Sometimes, doing something for someone can sound like sharing a smile, giving a shoulder to cry on, or simply offering a listening ear. Research reveals that helping others not only gives you happiness but also reduces stress and anxiety.

There is a Chinese saying that says,’ If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.’

9. Cultivate Healthy Relationships

‘The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.’ - Esther Perel

Having healthy relationships is the building block of happiness and a content life. Humans are made to live and thrive within tribes, and hence, having connections and healthy relationships is necessary to have a happy life. Harvard Study of Adult Development states that the warmth of our connections, rather than wealth or fame, is a more accurate predictor of a fulfilling and joyful life.

Having emotionally healthy relationships gives us a safe space to share joy and sorrow, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. Apart from this, sharing happiness with loved ones also amplifies the moments of joy.

10. Plan Your Day

Planning the day is a concept most of us agree with but fail to incorporate in our lives. This might sound absurd to many, but not planning your day is a big barrier to being internally happy. As Jim Rohn wisely expressed, ‘Either you run the day, or the day runs you.’

Planning ahead can help you efficiently achieve almost all your tasks of the day while helping you avoid procrastination. Studies suggest that completing all the tasks for the day leads to happiness and boosts self-esteem.

Effective planning first involves setting aesthetic morning routine where we wake up at a certain time, freshen up and go through our list of tasks. Mindfully going through the list in the morning helps you prioritize tasks according to urgency. At the end of the day, you have a sense of satisfaction that you utilized your potential and achieved your goals. This is one way you can find happiness within yourself.

How to Figure Out What Makes You Happy

If you’ve been chasing goals but still feel empty, you likely haven’t defined what truly makes you happy. Here’s a simple exercise:

Track Your Energy for 7 Days – Every evening, list 3 activities that gave you energy and 3 that drained it.
Spot Patterns – Do you feel happiest when creating, helping, learning, or socializing?
Rank Them – Write your top 5 activities and rate them from 1–10 on how often you do them.
Add One Daily – Start with the top-rated activity and add it to your routine every day for a week.

Happiness builds when you spend more time on what energizes you.

In a Nutshell

To find happiness within yourself, remember happiness is not a destination but a lifelong journey. Life is about detaching yourself with the idea of a saviour coming and making you happy. You are the only person who can make yourself happy, others will only add to it. Invest in yourself, get to know what makes you happy, and then strive using the above ways until you’re proud. Ultimately, always remember there is no shortcut in life, and good things take time.

How Happy Are You?

Want to feel happier inside? First, let's see where you stand with what's important in life. At Moore Momentum we believe that true happiness lies in excelling in all five pillars of life: Mindset, Career and Finances, Relationships, Physical and Emotional Health

Therefore, we designed two min core value quiz that tells you how you're doing in core areas of your life, which is the first step to happiness.

Don’t wait, take this quiz to start feeling happier! Click here to take the quiz. 🚀🚀🚀

FAQs - How to Find Happiness Within Yourself

Where Should I Find Happiness?

You should find happiness within yourself, not in external things like money, relationships, or achievements. Focus on areas you can control every day. Start by asking yourself these three questions every morning:

What can I improve today that’s fully in my control? – Focus on actions like finishing a task you’ve been delaying or spending 20 minutes on a hobby.
What small win will make me proud tonight? – Happiness grows when you end the day with progress, not perfection.
Who or what gives me energy, and how can I add more of that today? – Talk to a positive friend, read for 15 minutes, or go for a quick walk.

What is the trick of happiness?

Balance: Find a balance between work, hobbies, relaxation, and socializing.
Adaptability: Cultivate resilience and flexibility to adapt to life's changes and challenges.
Positive Relationships: Foster meaningful connections with others.

Read our blog on True Happiness

Is there a secret to happiness?

While there's no one "secret," research suggests that happiness is often a byproduct of a fulfilling life, not the direct goal. Elements include:

Purpose: Having a sense of purpose or meaning in life.
Acceptance: Learning to accept yourself and your circumstances.
Kindness: Acts of kindness and generosity towards others can boost your own happiness.

How to make everyone happy?

You cannot make everyone happy because happiness is a personal choice and a subjective experience. You cannot control how others feel, but you can do some things to help them feel better. You can be kind, positive, caring, and thankful to them. You can also pay attention to them, help them, make them smile, and enjoy your time with them.

How to Find Happiness Alone?

Plan your mornings with one activity that excites you.
End your day by writing 3 good things that happened.
Spend 1 hour weekly doing something you’ve always wanted to do alone, like visiting a new café or museum.

How to Obtain or Achieve Happiness?

Build it like fitness. Choose 3 keystone habits (gratitude journaling, movement, meditation) and track them daily for 30 days.

Where Can I Find My Happiness in Life?

Write down your five core values (e.g., freedom, creativity, learning). Compare them with how you spend your time. Redirect at least one hour daily to activities that align with those values.

How to Find Your Own Happiness?

Use the 80/20 rule – focus on the 20% of activities or relationships that make you feel the happiest and reduce time spent on the rest.

How to Create Happiness Every Day?

End your day with one act of kindness and start it with one thing you’re grateful for. These two actions are proven to increase serotonin levels.

How to Find Happiness Within Yourself After a Breakup

A breakup feels like losing part of yourself, but it’s also a chance to rebuild happiness on your own terms. Here’s how:

Detach Your Identity From the Relationship – Write down who you were before the relationship and what activities you loved. Start doing at least one of those daily.
Replace Emotional Loops With Physical Action – Exercise or walk for 30 minutes whenever you feel stuck overthinking. This interrupts rumination.
Set a Post-Breakup Goal – Learn something new, such as a skill or hobby. Progress releases dopamine, which helps heal emotional pain.
Use the 5-People Rule – Surround yourself with positive people who talk about ideas and growth, not just the breakup.

Best Books to Help You Find Happiness Within Yourself:

Atomic Habits by James Clear – Shows how tiny daily habits compound into long-term happiness.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor – Explains how a positive brain increases success.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown – Helps you stop people-pleasing and build self-worth.
Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles – A guide to finding your life’s purpose.