How To Find Your Definition Of Happiness
Identify the activities that bring you joy.
The first step to identifying your definition of happiness is to be more aware of the activities that genuinely bring you joy.
To find your own definition of happiness in life, you need to be deeply connected with yourself and your interests before comparing yourself to others. Don’t worry about what makes others happy or fulfilled because it could easily steer you in the wrong direction while throwing you off course from finding what will make you happy.
Determine what makes you feel you are living your best life
Now is the time to concentrate on what is important to you — what makes you feel like you are living your best life. You’ll discover a realization or two, and it will become easier to determine how to move forward and make decisions that support your new personal definition of happiness.
Examples: What activities are essential or enjoyable for me? Is it having a creative outlet, being in nature, spending quality time with friends, and family, etc.? And just as importantly, which activities do I want to avoid?
Brainstorm a life that would make you happy.
You should have a pretty good grasp on what you want out of life. But do you know what it will take to get there? You’ll need to brainstorm and make sure that whatever path you choose, it’s one that will help you become the person you want to be.
If your current life doesn’t match with the future one in your head, think about what changes you can make right now to head in the right direction. You don’t need to go through any drastic changes to move closer to your ideal self or life.
Think about what I could improve, what small things in your current situation: What I could change or add that would improve your day-to-day?
What sort of activities could help change how you feel about yourself? Can these actions relate back to something from your list of passions? How does doing this make you feel like a better version of yourself?
Think about what success means to you.
Success means different things to different people. A friend of mine says success is his ability to take care of his family. To a colleague, it’s about the freedom to travel whenever she wants and work from anywhere in the world. To another friend, success is being able to buy organic food for her family.
Before you can find your definition of happiness, you need to figure out what you mean by success in life. It’s important that you get clear on this so that you can know whether you’re successful while also knowing what happiness means to you.
Refuse to settle for anything less.
You’re the only person who knows what will truly make you happy or lead you to your goals. Don’t be afraid to take risks; don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t be afraid to experience genuine happiness—whatever that means for you.
Knowing yourself and your definition of happiness will help you find it in everyday life.
You can’t be happy if you don’t know yourself. It’s an essential part of the puzzle and, luckily, it’s something you have complete control over.
The first step is understanding what happiness means to you. For some people, it’s a feeling of contentment and peace. Others define it as a sense of excitement and joy.
Being happy is important, but you need to know what makes you happy. Once you know that, you can start looking for it in your everyday life.
One way to do this is to identify your personal values. These are the things that are most important to you and that you want to make sure are a part of your life.
For example, if family is a top priority for you, look for ways to spend more time with them. Or, if you value adventure, make the time to try new things and go to alternative places.
You can also create a happiness plan. This is a specific guide that outlines how you’re going to achieve your definition of happiness.
It can be as simple or as detailed as you want, but the key is to have a plan to reference when you’re feeling lost or uncertain.
Finally, don’t forget that happiness is a journey, not a destination. You won’t find it if you’re constantly searching for it. But if you’re open to the idea of happiness and you’re willing to work for it, you’ll be amazed at how often it shows up in your life.