What is the key to happiness? (5 happiness habits you need to try!)

What is the key to happiness?

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Well, it can vary greatly by the person!

The saying goes that “happiness starts from within” and that saying couldn’t be any more true. We all have a sense of fulfilment deep within ourselves. And it’s that sense of fulfilment that begins from within and has the potential to impact wellness and happiness.

What fulfils one person may not fulfil another. Your fulfilment is an extremely personal concept – the things that set your soul on fire are factors that are unique and personal to you. You cannot expect the thing that gives a friend or family member fulfilment to do the same for you – you need to find what fuels YOU.

But it’s always nice to find some simple jumping off points while you start your personal journey searching for the key to happiness. In this post, I’m going to talk about 5 easy ways that anyone can find happiness with a bit of effort and patience.

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Also, I am not a doctor or mental health professional. Just someone who has lived with depression and anxiety for many years who is passionate about sharing her experiences and tips for success. If you are in crisis call your doctor, then click here for some good mental health resources.

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Feelings of fulfillment

Feelings of fulfilment are closely linked to wellbeing and happiness. This is why it’s such an important topic to think about when it comes to improving and enhancing your mental health, and finding the key to happiness.

The thing about feeling fulfilled is the fact that it’s also closely linked to how clear your mind feels and how well you’ve met any goals. This is because it’s easier to clearly define and meet goals when you have a mind that’s clearer and less clouded.

The question is, of course: What does it take to achieve a clearer mind, and as a result, increase your feelings of happiness and contentment? Many people believe that the key to happiness and improving mental wellbeing is linked to habits – and getting into healthier wellness habits.

5 happiness habits you need to try

Wondering what these habits are? Below is a guide to some of the most useful healthy habits for clearing your mind and boosting your happiness and feelings of fulfilment.

Keep your living space clean

You might not realise it but the cleanliness of the place you live – and also the clutter – can have a huge impact on the clarity within your mind. When your home is clear and lacks clutter, you will discover that your mind also feels like a clearer space. It’s for this reason that it’s so important to keep your living space clean and clear.

If your home is currently a cluttered space, then you might want to take the time to declutter it and create a more minimalist living environment. You will find that taking the time to declutter and organize your home will make you feel calmer and more in control, as well as adding to the clarity of your mind.

I know this can be hard if you live with a condition like depression or anxiety. Just take it slow and try to conquer one corner of a room at a time. And remember: DO NOT MOVE CLUTTER FROM ROOM TO ROOM. (I’m laughing on the inside because I’ve been guilty of this in the past.) Either find a true place for it, trash/recycle it, or donate it!

Reduce old and unnecessary items

When creating a minimalist space, the key is to remove all clutter. However, what you don’t want to do is remove items that make you feel safe and comfortable. So think carefully about what you’re removing from your home and only remove items that you no longer deem necessary.

PRO-TIP: It’s also worth adding a few houseplants to your home as studies show that indoor plants can offer a multitude of mental health benefits.

In terms of what you should remove, start with your home’s furnishings. Ask yourself if you need each and every item within your home. If an item is not necessary, remove it. Only keep items that are extremely meaningful or that add to the character of your living space.

As well as decluttering your home’s furniture, it’s also a good idea to think about your belongings, such as clothing, accessories, and other items. It might take some time to go through everything and declutter, but it’s worth taking the time to strip down your belongings to a smaller batch of items, creating a cleaner and more minimalist place to live.

Adopt a zero-waste approach

When it comes to how you live, another step that can help you to find the key to happiness is to adopt a zero-waste approach to life. There’s something about never wasting anything that can really help to grow your sense of fulfilment and happiness. When decluttering your home, consider sending any items that you get rid of to a recycling center or selling on a second-hand site, to help ensure that they don’t go to waste.

Try and find ways to reuse and salvage everything that you have in your home! Anything from repairing and reusing old glasses frames with updated lenses as a salvage method, to recycling broken glass to create something new.

Get creative and you will be amazed at how easy living a zero-waste life can be. Admittedly, it can take some time to get used to, but once you’ve adapted to leading a zero-waste life, it becomes far simpler and easier than you would ever have managed. And, as an added bonus, it makes for a clearer and happier mind.

Take self care more seriously

Another important habit when it comes to clearing your mind and finding the key to happiness is making sure to take self care more seriously. Self care isn’t just about having the occasional spa night. It’s about actually making time in your day to do the things that help you to feel calm and in control.

Self care is the process of taking steps to proactively look after your mental health and general wellness. It’s about putting what YOU need first.

It’s far too easy to put self care on the backburner. Hell, I’ve done it. But if you want to ensure that you have a clearer mind, then you need to make self care a priority. Self care can be as simple as making time to go for a run each morning or have a relaxing bubble bath at the end of the day. Or it can mean finding self care routines that you are able to follow, such as seeing a therapist, for instance.

Self care is what you make it. There are no set rules. It’s simply a case of doing the things that make you feel calm and in control.

Only do things that make you happy

There’s no point spending time on things that you don’t want to do or don’t need to do. It’s a waste of your time and it’s a habit that you need to stop.

You need to start thinking about only doing the things that actually make you feel happy. What is it that you want from life? Don’t feel pressured to do things that you don’t enjoy or don’t want to do. Your heart and mind won’t thank you… Share on twitter

Instead, think about how you can make it a habit to only do the things that make you feel good and put a smile on your face. Yes, it’ll take time to adapt to living this way, but it’s a step that’s important to take if you want to ensure that you have a clearer and happier mind going forward.

A lot of people struggle to say no to things. Don’t be one of these people. Learn how to turn down doing the things that you don’t want to do. Don’t be afraid to say no. You might not want to say it. But if you don’t want to do something, then that’s what you need to get into the habit of saying.

Finding the key to happiness

When it comes to clearing your mind and finding the key to happiness, it’s a personal choice how you go about this. The tips and ideas above are all great starting points for having more mental clarity. However, you also need to take the time to think about what works for you.

If you are able to find an approach to mental wellness that works for you and makes you feel happy, then you are doing a great job. By making your wellness a priority, you can instantly improve how you feel.

Just remember my oft quoted Don Draper quote about happiness: “But what is happiness? It’s the moment before you need more happiness.” It can be a fleeting emotion, and the search for it can keep you from appreciating the here and now.

Don’t be so caught up in looking for the key to happiness that you neglect to find joy in the things around you.