How to Live a Happy Life: 6 Ways to Rebel Against a Meh Life

The two basic needs underlying all our actions in life are – survival and happiness. Specific ideas about how to live a happy life differ because what brings happiness to one person might not do so for the other. But one thing remains constant…happiness comes from the realization of goals that connect with us at a deeper level.

Things that hold an emotional value for us, bring true happiness.

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, after our immediate basic needs of food, air, water, clothing, shelter are met and we have employment & security…we start looking for happiness…friendship, intimacy, and a sense of connection.

How to live a happy life without doing a full-life overhaul

1. External validation:

You too must know at least a couple of people who can’t decide whether they have had a good time or not on vacation until they check the number of likes on their photo updates. That’s total dependence on external validation.

We all look, at one time or other, for different types of external validation of our decisions, actions, or choices. But, that’s one of the weakest links in our plan to live a happy life.

And when we realize that our choices and decisions don’t need approval from anyone else, life becomes a lot simpler and more fulfilling.

It really doesn’t matter in the end whether others like our choices or not at the moment. Because what matters is –

a) Are your choices aligned with your values, priorities, and goals?

b) Do they help you grow and explore your potentials?

c) Will the result of your choices speak for themselves?

If yes, then rest assured that your actions will lead your life in a happier direction, whether people support them at the moment or not.

2. Your moral compass:

Remember that no matter what you do, there will always be two types of reactions from people. One from people who see the potential in that choice and like it. And the other from those who like to focus on the hurdles or drawbacks of everything. Realizing this will set you free – knowing that ultimately it’s your choice which one you listen to.

Nobody knows you and your situation better than yourself. Who knows how the people criticizing you would have handled the situation if they weren’t assessing it from afar? So, stop caring about what people would think and let your own moral compass guide you.

So what you think would work best for you. It’s a mental shift that’ll show you how to live a happy life that truly satisfying.

3. Don’t stress out trying to change others:

The only things we can truly change are about ourselves. True, we can do a lot of things to influence others. But real change only happens when the other person wants to.

As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” We can only inspire others to want to change, but the transformation happens only when they put in the full-hearted effort.

For example, this 70-something writer & artist, Aabid Surti runs a one-man NGO in India called Drop Dead. BBC News reports him as ‘The man saving Mumbai water one tap at a time’.

Instead of simply telling people to not waste precious water & getting frustrated with the results, he changed his perspective on the issue. Now, a plumber accompanies him every Sunday to households in the suburb that he lives and provides free repair of leaking taps & pipes.

To live a happy life, we have to realize that we can’t change everything & everyone to the way we like. It takes all kinds to make the world.

“If you don’t like something, change it.

If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

– Maya Angelou

And that’s the secret to how to live a happy life.

4. Dream big but celebrate every milestone:

There’s no tax on dreaming, so go big. Remember, dreams are just goals waiting for a plan. Break down your ultimate big goal into smaller non-overwhelming ones and plan for one at a time.

How to live a happy life before you achieve that dream goal of yours? Simple. Use that big goal only to set the direction of your actions. Enjoy the journey that takes you there. The learning moments, all the little wins – they are the things that will bring stronger moments of happiness than realizing you’ve done it.

Ever notice how short a journey seems when you’re in good company and enjoying the ride?

5. Create a filtering system:

Be mindful of what you expose yourself to every day. Social media uses an AI that shows us more of those things that we show interest in. Use this to curate your social media feeds. If you keep ignoring the updates from people who make you directly or indirectly feel bad about your own life, it would start showing up less in your social media feed.

Connect more with people who support your efforts, give you constructive feedback, or at least are more focused on finding solutions than grieving their failures. Create as much distance as possible from negative or toxic people.

Open your heart only to those things that help you grow. And if you don’t take criticism seriously from those to whom you wouldn’t go for advice, no one will be able to tear you down without your permission – that’s how to live a happy life.

Make it a point to laugh each and every day, even if it is at your own goof-ups!

6. Prioritize yourself to live a happy life:

No, it’s not selfish and you actually owe it to yourself! Is it ever selfish to get the car serviced so that it keeps working perfectly? So, why not our mind, body, and soul? After all, we are more productive and better able to be there for others when feeling physically & mentally healthy.

Spend some quiet time with yourself, doing nothing, just exploring your thoughts. Find out what are your likes, dislikes, your dreams, desires, and what would make you really happy…something that connects with you at a deeper level…has an emotional connect with you.

It can be anything – learning something you have always wanted to, doing something you enjoyed as a child, or explore something new.

Prioritizing yourself doesn’t mean putting the happiness of your loved ones on the backburner. It simply means, you care for them and want to do the best for them. But to give your best, you have to keep yourself in the best form.

---

So yeah, rebel against those set habits and thought patterns, those limiting beliefs that stop you from being truly happy. Do whatever makes you feel good – help others, spend time with your loved ones, or tick something off from your bucket list.

How to live a happy life is just reconnecting with the child within you…that feeling of boundless surprise, awe, excitement, and joy at learning something new…achieving even the smallest feat. It’s about realizing what an incredible adventure life is!

---

Which do you feel about the need for personal boundaries to live a happy life? Let’s take this conversation to the comments below

Follow my blog with Bloglovin