10 Ways to Find Happiness Within Yourself? 

‘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. It's about performing well in your core life areas.

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

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. Escaping 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.

Victim mentality is the belief that one has no control over life and that one is at the mercy of external people or circumstances.

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.

Whether it is a missed opportunity, every rejection is a redirection. Everything that happens in our lives is meant to teach us something. The failure is not in our control, but how we respond to it is entirely under our control. 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

Having goals is an integral part of achieving a state of happiness. Goals define purpose and direction while giving you a tangible road map of your life. 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.

Furthermore, you can also gamify the process of goal-setting to make it fun. As Terry explained, ‘Write a list down and stick to the places of sight and then you will know which one you want the most.’

I always emphasize setting goals in life because as long as you have goals, either small or big, you will be happy. A study was conducted in 2021 on 13000 participants above 50. Results showed that people with a purpose in life were healthier and more optimistic. 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

‘Happiness is not found in the pursuit of perfection; it blossoms in the garden of mindfulness, where each present moment is a seed of joy waiting to be cultivated.’- Sharon Salzberg.

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 success habits and then consistently working towards them. As Aristotle said, ‘We are what we 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''.

Read More About Multitasking Skills

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.

You can create a foundation of happiness by consistently incorporating habits like meditation, affirmations, journaling, or anything that brings positivity. These habits will only positively impact you if you practice them daily and stay consistent throughout. Studies indicate that consistent routine and habit formation are crucial in sustaining mental health and happiness.

6. Practice Gratitude

‘Gratitude turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.’ - Melody Beattie In the quest to find happiness within, practicing gratitude plays a great role. 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. Self-love is recognizing your boundless, intrinsic worth. As Rumi explains, ‘You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.’ 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 in 2022 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.’ If you were to ask me the secret of happiness, I would say selflessly help others.

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 emphasizes the enduring influence of relationships on happiness. The research 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. Studies suggest that healthy relationships make people happy and promote a healthy and happy life.

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.

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 core areas 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. 🚀🚀🚀

After you know your core values, make things even better with our Habit Tracker. It helps you see how your daily actions make a difference in your life, helping you find more balance and happiness.

Download our app 🚀🚀🚀 to keep track of your habits and boost your happiness every day!

FAQs

How can I enjoy my life?

1. Find Joy in the Little Things: Pay attention to small pleasures and moments of happiness throughout your day.

2. Stay Present: Practice mindfulness and try to live in the moment rather than worrying about the past or future.

3. Cultivate Gratitude: Regularly reflect on what you're thankful for, which can increase feelings of contentment.

How can I live my best life?

1. Set Personal Goals: Define what "best" means to you in various aspects of life (career, personal growth, relationships) and work toward these goals.

2. Embrace Self-Care: Prioritize your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

3. Connect with Others: Build strong, supportive relationships.

What is the trick of happiness?

1. Balance: Find a balance between work, hobbies, relaxation, and socializing.

2. Adaptability: Cultivate resilience and flexibility to adapt to life's changes and challenges.

3. Positive Relationships: Foster meaningful connections with others.

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.