How to be HAPPY

Today’s post was supposed to be for youth and important bits of advice about becoming a happy adult, but then I realized that it might be advice for anyone. So here are some things I think I have learned about being happy. Add some of your own in the comments!

1. Be yourself. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Wear your personality with pride. Be a dork if you’re a dork. Be happy with who you are. You don't need to try to fit in. Confidence is the biggest indicator of how “cool” you are. So be yourself and be proud of it.

2. Laugh. When someone insults you or says something rude, smile. Laugh it off. If a small child came up to you and said something rude to you, you would probably laugh and be like “who is this kid”? That’s because a little kid has no authority over you. But the thing is, no one has that authority over you, no matter how old they are. Smiling, or laughing off other people’s rudeness gives you the power in the situation and will often diffuse tension. Try it.

3. Don’t take things personally. Sometimes people are jerks. Know that people are jerks because those people are having a bad day, or they weren’t hugged enough as kids, or because they’ve got something going on for them. Don’t take on someone else’s misery just because they’re offering it up. Let negativity slide off you, and you’ll be better off.

4. Be happy. Happiness is a choice. Surround yourself by people who bring out the best in you. Think positive thoughts about yourself. Do things that make you happy. Get hobbies. Make new friends. Develop a new skill. Learn something. Be inspired. Exercise. Find things to be passionate about. It makes life better.

5. Be okay being by yourself. Learn to sit comfortably within your own skin. Be comfortable being independent in a crowd. You will need to learn it eventually, and things get easier once you have. See: The strength in sitting alone.

6. Be understanding. Accept people for who they are. Know that it is not that far a leap from the life you live to the life they live. Remember that you could have been like them if you had lived their life, and that they, like you, just want to be accepted.

7. Set boundaries. Don’t let people treat you unkindly. Speak up for yourself. People live up to the expectations you set for them, whatever those expectations are. So set appropriate boundaries, and make them clear.

8. Be honest. Be honest with yourself, and with others. See: Honesty and Happiness.

I’m sure there are more great ideas out there, so please add them to the comments and we'll see just how much rich knowledge we've got together!