Today I want to talk about something we all chase in one way or another—happiness. We hear so much about it: in books, podcasts, Instagram quotes, or from people around us. But what does it really mean to be happy? Is it about having everything we want? Or is it something deeper, softer, and simpler?
Psychology gives us a lot of advice about living a happy life, but I believe the most powerful version of happiness is the one we experience and feel in our own hearts. So instead of just listing the “10 principles of happiness,” I thought—why not share how I personally see them and how they've played a role in my life? Let’s dive into the journey of happiness—not from a textbook, but from real life.
1. What Is Happiness?
Happiness, for me, is a state where there is no pain, no stress. It’s that light, free feeling where you can do whatever you want without fear or limits. It means having the things you love, whether small or big, and feeling peace in your heart. True happiness isn’t always loud or exciting—sometimes, it’s just being able to breathe without heaviness and smile without force.
To me, happiness isn’t about always smiling or pretending life is perfect. It’s a quiet, peaceful feeling deep inside. It’s the absence of pain, stress, or pressure. Happiness is freedom—the freedom to do what I love, to rest when I need to, and to feel appreciated without begging for it.
Sometimes people think they’ll be happy only when they achieve something big, like buying a house or reaching a certain status. But for me, happiness is found in smaller, more meaningful things—like sipping a warm coffee alone, getting a call from someone I love, or simply having a day without emotional heaviness.
It’s when you feel light, not because life is easy, but because you’ve chosen peace over chaos. That’s the kind of happiness I try to hold on to.
2. Find Peace in Simple Moments
There have been many peaceful moments in my life, especially when I’m surrounded by the things I love. One of those is plants. I’ve always loved growing different types of plants—money plants, jasmine, roses, and night-blooming jasmine. When I used to live in my previous home, they grew beautifully, and that brought me so much peace.
After shifting cities, I had to leave those plants behind. But something magical happened. In the new city where I opened my coffee shop, I found those same plants blooming on every street. Every time I walk by and smell their fragrance, I feel a deep happiness inside, as if life returned something precious to me.
Psychology says finding joy in small things and staying connected to nature are powerful ways to feel grounded and peaceful.
3. Practice Self-Compassion (Or Simply, Be Kind to Yourself)
For me, self-compassion comes naturally. I love myself, and I always try not to hurt anyone, because I believe deeply in karma. If you do good, good will come back to you. If you make someone happy, happiness will find its way back to you. Being kind, staying humble, and having a clean heart is the way I live—and this kindness gives me inner peace and satisfaction.
Self-love isn’t just about face masks or pampering—it’s about the way you treat yourself when no one’s watching. For me, I’ve always had a strong sense of self-respect and inner kindness. I genuinely love who I am, not because I’m perfect, but because I know my heart is clean.
I make it a point to never hurt others because I believe what you give to the world, you receive. If you make someone smile, that smile finds its way back to you, often in ways you don’t expect. And if you hurt someone, knowingly or unknowingly, that energy comes back too.
My way of practicing self-love is by living a life where I don’t carry guilt. I try to be kind, stay grounded, and keep my heart light. That, in itself, brings me happiness every day.
4. Nurture Meaningful Relationships
In this world, many people come close to you when you are rich, but leave when you have nothing. That’s the reality. But I’m lucky because I have friends who are with me through thick and thin. They don’t leave when things get tough.
My family also plays a big part in my life. We may not be perfect, but they listen to me, talk to me, and give advice when I need it. And the most special part of my life is my daughter. She’s with me every single day—whether it’s a happy day or a sad one. Her presence alone brings me strength and joy.
Psychologists say strong, supportive relationships are one of the biggest sources of long-term happiness—and I’ve truly felt that.
5. Building Strength During Hard Times
When life gets tough, I remind myself: if good times can pass, then bad times will pass too.
I reflect on what went wrong. I ask myself—did I make a mistake? Did I hurt someone? Did I forget to do something good? If I find something, I correct it. And if I don’t find anything, I trust that the hardship is here to teach me something or lead me to something better.
Psychology calls this “resilience”—the ability to bounce back. And faith, reflection, and patience are my tools for that.
We all face challenges—loss, heartbreak, loneliness, confusion. It’s a part of being human. But over the years, I’ve learned to handle tough times differently. I no longer ask “Why me?”—instead, I pause and ask, “What is this trying to teach me?”
I always remind myself: if good days passed, then bad ones will too. Nothing lasts forever—not pain, not joy. Life is a constant wave. When I’m hurt or upset, I take time to reflect. I ask myself:
Did I hurt someone?
Was I unfair?
Did I miss something I should’ve done?
If the answer is yes, I fix it. If the answer is no, I accept that maybe this is just one of those seasons where life is shifting me into something better, even if I can’t see it yet.
That mindset makes me stronger. And strangely, it even makes pain feel purposeful.
6. Everyday Happiness Routine
Happiness isn’t only in big achievements. It’s in your daily habits. Here are a few things I do that bring joy into my day:
- I take daily walks to clear my mind.
- I talk to my plants and spend time with them.
- I pass through streets filled with fragrant flowers, and just breathing in that scent lifts me up.
- And most importantly, I trust God. Always.
These little routines keep me centered and joyful.
7. Caring for Mental Peace
Mental and emotional health doesn’t always need a therapist’s couch or major life changes—it can start with the simple act of listening to yourself. For me, caring for my mental peace means paying close attention to how I feel and honoring those feelings instead of burying them. If something or someone is disturbing my peace, I don’t allow it to quietly eat away at me. I choose to express myself—not with anger or drama—but with calm honesty. Whether it's telling someone they've crossed a line or simply distancing myself from toxic energy, I do what it takes to keep my heart light. I've realized that bottling up emotions only leads to heaviness, and nothing is worth sacrificing my peace. When you guard your inner world like it's sacred, your happiness naturally becomes stronger, more stable, and less shaken by the outside noise.
8. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
Gratitude, to me, is more than just saying "thanks"—it's a way of living. I believe it's as vital to our soul as the sun is to the earth. Every morning and night, I thank God—not just for the big blessings, but for the little ones too: breath, strength, safety, and the people who stand beside me. I carry deep gratitude in my heart for my parents, who shaped me into someone who values kindness and simplicity. Even when a stranger helps me or a friend remembers something small about me, I make sure to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Gratitude keeps me grounded, reminds me how much I already have, and shifts my focus away from what’s missing. It’s a beautiful habit that turns ordinary days into meaningful ones and helps me see life through a softer, more thankful lens.
9. Self-Respect Comes First
I do try to care for others, but I have one rule: don’t lose your self-respect for anyone. If someone disrespects me, I don’t keep quiet. I tell them—politely, but clearly—that it hurt me, and I won’t accept it. Being kind doesn’t mean being silent. You can be soft and strong at the same time.
For a long time, I thought keeping everyone happy meant I had to keep quiet—even when something hurt me. But not anymore.
Now, I believe you can’t truly be happy if you’re constantly swallowing your pain just to make others comfortable.
I do care deeply for others, and I give a lot from my heart—but the moment someone disrespects me, I speak up. I don’t do it with anger. I do it with honesty. Whether it’s someone close or a stranger, I calmly say: “This hurt me, and I won’t accept it.”
Respect is a boundary I don’t bend. Because without self-respect, even love feels heavy. Standing up for myself doesn’t make me rude—it protects the peace I’ve worked so hard to build. And that’s a form of happiness I refuse to compromise.
10. Change Is Scary, But Worth It
I’ve taken many decisions in life—some risky, some bold. And guess what? Most of them worked out. But even the ones that didn’t gave me something even more powerful—strength. Not all decisions will lead to success. But they’ll always lead to growth. So don’t be afraid to take steps toward your happiness, even if the path looks uncertain.
Taking risks is never easy. Changing cities, relationships, careers—it always comes with fear. But I’ve made many bold decisions in my life, and while most of them turned out well, even the ones that didn’t still gave me something valuable.
One decision in particular didn’t go the way I planned. I risked everything—my time, my heart, my trust. But even though it failed, it left me with a kind of power I never knew I had. I learned that life doesn’t end with one mistake. It restarts.
From that moment, I stopped fearing change. I understood that even failure brings new beginnings. It gives us strength, lessons, and unexpected doors. And when you keep your heart open, happiness can still find its way in—even through the cracks.
%20Causes,%20Symptoms,%20and%20Treatment.jpg)
0 comments:
Post a Comment