How To Be Happy With What You Have

How To Be Happy With Yourself

The idea of how to be happy with what you have is a complicated one.

On one hand, it is awesome to strive to be more aware and grateful for all the amazing things in your life.

This concept really can alter your life for the better.

And then, of course, like most things there is a flip side to this idea.

It is important to acknowledge that being happy with what you have does not mean you can not want for more.

Wanting for more is a natural aspect of being a human being.

Human nature, right?

But I think the trick is to be sure we are not putting off happiness. We are not basing happiness off of “when” or “if” scenarios.

This comes with being realistic with the idea of happiness. You will not always feel complete and utter joy and happiness.

We are not unicorns or fairies living in a magical land of rainbows and gumdrops.

Want to know something cool?

What actually happens when you focus on appreciating your life as it is is that what you truly want becomes more clear.

Ideas of what we think will create happiness can be like a beautiful picture or a perfectly decorated bookshelf. We can be enticed by pretty things.

The keyword in all of this is things.

If you view happiness as a chase then you will come up short in the satisfaction category. ALWAYS.

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Here Are 8 Tips on How To Be Happy With What You Have

1) Gratitude is EVERYTHING

Ever notice how easy it is to point out a flaw or a problem.

How our minds can come up with negatives frighteningly quickly.

I think this is something most of us struggle with from time to time. And that is completely normal and fine.

But it can become a serious issue if the only thoughts we have brewing tend to lean toward the dark side.

Now, I am all about accepting and acknowledging any and every emotion. As an adult, I am still learning that our feelings are not good or bad.

The great thing about gratitude is that it is not about hiding or pushing down how we are feeling.

It is just about also letting the good shine through even if just a tiny bit.

I actually love to write down my hard moments or my struggles along with the things I am grateful for.

There is room for it all.

Another awesome thing that gratitude does is steer us to think of and openly recognize things we take for granted.

A super cozy blanket. Our favorite coffee mug. A backyard full of trees. High-waisted leggings that fit just right.

The seemingly small things that often get lumped in the insignificant category get to shine.

2) Escape The Comparison Trap

Comparing yourself to others is something we all do. We do it even when we know it serves no purpose.

Even when we know it will bring us down and make us feel like we are coming up short in at least one aspect of our lives.

We still do it.

Again, human nature at its finest!

I wish more than anything that there was a way to escape the comparison trap once and for all. I don’t think there is.

And I also think (ok, basically know) social media has completely blown up this entire comparison concept.

Sometimes we have deeply convinced ourselves that there are things we absolutely need in order to make it to that ever-elusive land of happiness.

These fleeting thoughts of comparison can build and build and build until we are literally buried under it.

Here are some super helpful ways to stop comparing yourself to others.

3) Ask More Questions

There is a “why” behind everything.

Don’t let surface thoughts control your life. Dig a little deeper.

This is where a journal can really come in handy. Have a conversation with yourself.

I mean, you don’t even need a journal. You can just talk out loud.

But a journal is nice because you can go circle back to it and revisit thoughts you had or ways you felt.

I also personally just love to look at old things I have written and really reflect on what I have made it through and where I am today.

4) Stop Giving Things so Much Power

A better blender is going to make your smoothies creamier. A better blender is not going to create true, lasting happiness.

I know I am guilty of giving things so much power. I get stuck in that mental trap that if I had *insert any random thing you think you need* then my life would be happier.

Nice clothes or the latest kitchen gadgets can make us feel happy. I know my air fryer is one of my favorite things.

But the idea is to not be on the hunt for that next thing that is going to give us a short-lived hit or burst of happiness.

5) See Your Power

You are in charge of your life.

Not things. Not ideas. You.

This goes for physical stuff as well as the stuff we can not physically hold in our hands.

Like relationships or our mindset.

Outside forces will impact us. Definitely.

But think about what you would need to be truly content. Go back to that journal we talked about earlier!

6) Be Present

If there is one thing I know to be true, it is the fact that our phones do not hold the secret to happiness.

They can in fact produce the opposite feelings of happiness.

One thing I am constantly working on is to be present for my life. Not looking down at my screen.

A majority of the time, the things we are staring at on those screens are not nearly as important as what is going on in front of us.

Look up!

7) Personal Growth

Build a relationship with yourself.

Get to know yourself. Learn about yourself.

This is so important.

Growing is something that will always serve us.

I love a good self-help book. (Here are my favorites)

There are endless options for podcasts or TED talks you could check out.

Working on growing as a person is great if you ever feel stuck.

Or if you ever feel like your life has come to a screeching halt like a stagnant pond!

8) Take Inventory

Take inventory of your life. How you spend your time. Who you spend your time with. What you spend your time doing?

Make a list. Seriously! Grab a pen and make a list.

And then read over that list and see what you have written down.

Dig deeper into the things you have written down.

Think of ways to connect these things to habits you could incorporate into your life.

Are there consistent habits you could start that fill your cup? Are there things you could get rid of?

I bet that answer to both of those questions is a big old YES!

Remember that happiness is not contingent on getting a certain thing or achieving a certain thing.

Wanting for more is all well and good. That is a huge part of life. A part of navigating our journey.

But happiness is not waiting for you on the other side of a hill. If that was the case, you would be climbing forever trying to make it over that hill.

And maybe you will think you have found it and then a new hill will appear.

Here is one more thing to always remember.

No one is exempt from the ups and downs of life. I know this may seem obvious but I feel like we all need a reminder from time to time. I know I do.

What will you try from this list of how to be happy with what you have?

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