CARRYING on from yesterday’s post, here are a few more ways to find that elusive happiness!

Let go

The only way to move on in life, is often just to let things go. The things we can’t control, the people who hurt us, the things that have happened in the past. Years ago, I was the world’s best at holding grudges but nowadays, I’ve realised that there’s so much more I’d rather do with my time!

Holding on to hurt and past mistakes will only do one thing – hold you back. So stop holding and let it go.

Accept the things you can’t change, forget about the past, get rid of those awful people in your life who don’t treat you as you deserve and feel the weight lift off your shoulders.

Use words wisely

Words are wondrous things (and yes as a writer I know I’m bound to say that!) but they are also incredibly powerful. More powerful in fact than we realise.

So think about what you say before you say it and pay attention to the thoughts that bounce around inside your head too. Consider your use of language for a few days or even keep a diary to make some observations.

Do you use a lot of negative words about yourself or about others? Do you find yourself saying things like “I can’t do this, I’m no good at this, people don’t like me, why does this always happen to me”.

If so, it might be time to change the way you think and speak. The words you use – especially about yourself – can make or break you so always choose them wisely.

Do what you love

I firmly believe that you can never be truly happy in life until you do what you love. How do I know? Because I’ve tried. And it just doesn’t work.

To be truly happy and in love with life, you need to do what makes your heart sing. We all need to work to earn money to live but work doesn’t have to feel like ‘work’. It is entirely possible to earn a living doing what you love, I promise you.

I’ve only ever wanted to be a writer. That was it for me. As a little girl, I would even spend hours making my own magazines from scratch (including crossword puzzles!). But yet time and time again I was told that I would never make a living out of being a writer. That I would never become a journalist. That I would fail.

But guess what folks? The people who said that to me were wrong. Totally wrong. For I do manage to make a living as a writer, I did train to be a journalist and I haven’t  – as of yet – failed.

I’ve taken many risks in my career to get where I am now, happily working for myself as a freelance writer. And I’ll tell you this. It isn’t easy, it isn’t always fun nor has it made me rich. But….it has made me ridiculously happy, as far as work goes.

Be bold

Don’t half live your life.

Don’t settle for second best.

Don’t play it safe.

It’s the biggest cliche ever but yet it’s totally true, life is too short. Far too short to live it half heartedly. For a full and happy life, you need to go for it! Full throttle! No compromises!

You need to jump in, take risks, make room for play, love with all your being, laugh until your face aches, do what you love (see above), fail occasionally and then get back up to do it all again.

Far too many people live their lives quietly. They do what is expected of them, not what makes them happy. They take the safe options because they’re the easiest. They settle for mediocre. They live for the weekends. They take no control of their own happiness. They just get by.

Please, please, please, don’t let that be you.

“It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.”  Victor Hugo.

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Till the next time,

Katie