5 Keys to Finding Happiness

Before we get started, what is happiness? It's hard to find something when you're unsure exactly what it is that you're trying to find. This makes the journey to a "true" happiness quite hard for most people. When you reach your goals, are you happy or do you strive further? Wanting more, and more, and more. I think everyone defines happiness slightly differently, but I am going to define it as reaching comfort in your own skin, as well as comfort with your social and work life.

1. Face your fears.

The first key to finding happiness is to face your fears. Of course not physical dangers that could get you hurt, but social fears and mental blockades. These are things that most likely you know need to be faced, or tasks that need to be done but due to anxieties and social fears or mental blockades you have yet to do them.

2. Accept change.

The second key is to accept change when it occurs. Whether it be change of jobs, or a career change, or it be change in living situations. Now of course it is normal to be disgruntled about change, but the key is to not let it upset you for the long term to the point in which it begins to ruin your days, or weeks. Ways to help accept or cope with change is to look at the good the change brings, what positive things does this change bring into your life.

3. Be independent.

The third key is to be independent. This is for financial independence and social independence. Don't wait for someone to be there with you during everything, nor expect it. If you don't already, try going grocery shopping alone, or getting a coffee alone, or going hiking alone. As I personally know, not everyone can afford to be financially independent, however, if you can afford it then strive for it.

4. Embrace the bad. Enjoy the good.

The fourth key is to embrace the bad in life, and enjoy the good. Everyone has a bad day, or many bad days, and the key here is to just embrace them. Don't hold back your sorrows and emotions, let them free. Talk to someone about your thoughts and feelings. When the good days come, enjoy them! Take mental notes about why you are enjoying these days, what is enjoyable about them and how you feel. Remember this to help you on your bad days.

5. Don't hate.

The fifth key is to not hate. Hating something takes a lot of emotional effort. Now of course there are valid situations where the term hate is right, but try to reduce hating. Find ways to remove things you dislike from your life. If that's not possible then find ways to not focus on the things you dislike and put more focus on the things that you do like. This should help your day be more fulfilling and enjoyable.

All in all, five of the top keys to finding happiness are facing your fears, accepting change, being independent, embracing bad and enjoying good, and don't hate. I hope these keys help you find happiness in your life as everyone is different and everyone deals with things differently. What works for one person may not work for the other. We adapt and change to our surroundings, and with enough desire, I believe we all can find happiness.