It’s very easy to get caught up in our problems and stresses. Yet some people seem happy all the time. In general, they are not richer or luckier than the average person. But they are still happier anyway. And if you travel to poor countries, you will find some people who are happy despite living in poverty. These people must have some common traits that keep them happy. Today we will explore some of these traits so we can gain some insights. So here are some of the traits of happy people:
They enjoy the moment.
The best time to enjoy your favorite music is when you can hear it. The best time to enjoy beautiful scenery is when you can see it. The point here is that enjoyment exists in the moment. In fact, this principle forms the basis for mindfulness. Happy people spend much of their time enjoying precious moments. After all, a happy life will include many happy moments.
They help others.
When you help someone else, you help to make the world a better place. Knowing this will make you feel better about yourself. And a good self-image is one of the best treasures that you can have. It is no surprise that people feel happier when they help others.
They don’t expect perfection.
They know that waiting for perfect conditions is futile. This is because life is never perfect. In fact, perfectionism can be the enemy of excellence. This happens when you reject excellent conditions in hopes of perfect conditions. The perfect conditions rarely arrive. Happy people know this, so they enjoy life as it is with all its imperfections.
They know that bad times pass.
We all have good times as well as bad times. But happy people know that most bad times are temporary. They often laugh at themselves and can make light of the situation. This is because they know that bad times will pass.
They value experiences over stuff.
People on their death beds never wished that they had worked more to buy more stuff. They often wish for more life experiences such as traveling. This is because experiences meet emotional needs better than inanimate objects do. And satisfying emotional needs is what makes people happy. Happy people learn this early in life. So they value experiences over stuff.
They pursue their passions.
If you have a passion, then pursuing it is the best thing that you can do. This is true whether it is a hobby, a cause, a dream, or some other passion. If you don’t pursue your passion, then you send a bad message to yourself. You would be telling yourself that you will never live the life you want to live. But pursuing your passion gives your life a purpose and is fulfilling. It will make you happier and that’s why happy people pursue their passions.
They are honest with themselves.
Be honest with yourself at all times, especially in situations that you don’t like. Pretending that a bad situation is good will not make you happy. That’s why happy people don’t do it. Admitting that there is a problem is the first step to fixing it. Happy people can admit this because they are clear about their likes and dislikes. So they stay in good situations and are quick to leave bad ones.
They live according to their values.
This relates to being honest with yourself. But living according to your values requires action. Your life must agree with your values if it is to be fulfilling. For example, if you champion animal rights, then don’t work on a fur farm. In short, no amount of money or prestige is worth the price of your soul. So happy people avoid activities that conflict with their values.
They love success stories.
Being happy and being envious are two feelings that don’t mix well. It’s impossible to feel happy while resenting someone else’s success. This is why happy people don’t resent the success of others. In fact, they welcome it, especially if they are trying to achieve the same thing. This is because another’s success is extra proof that they can do it too. Happy people have an abundance mentality. They know that there’s enough success to go around.
They avoid comparing themselves with others.
When you compare yourself to others, your happiness depends on how you think they are doing. If they are doing great, it means that you are not. If they are suffering, it means that you are doing well. This mentality causes your mind to fester with envy and snobbery. It can turn your life into a bitter competition with no prize for the winner. After all, you can spend your whole life outdoing everyone else and still not get what you want.
But living on your own terms without comparisons is liberating. You can pursue what you want without worrying that someone else has something better. So happy people avoid comparing themselves to others. They enjoy what they have without worrying about being outdone.
They take time to relax.
Life can be stressful for anyone. Sometimes we get so busy that we don’t realize how much stress we experience. Many times it’s easy to forget to relax. But taking time to relax is very important for a person’s mental health and happiness. So happy people will take time to relax in whatever way that they can.
They count their blessings.
Having good things happen to you can make you happy. But it only happens if you notice that they are good. So recognizing your good life is at least as important to your happiness as the good life itself. This recognition is the meaning of contentment. It is also a cornerstone of long-term happiness. Some call it a sense of gratitude or “counting your blessings”. Regardless of what you call it, happy people notice that their lives are good.
In summary, here are some traits of happy people:
They enjoy the moment.
They help others.
They don’t expect perfection.
They know that bad times pass
They value experiences over stuff.
They pursue their passions.
They are honest with themselves.
They live according to their values.
They love success stories.
They avoid comparing themselves with others.
They take time to relax.
They count their blessings.
You will notice that these traits are about mindsets and behaviors. They have little or nothing to do with wealth or prestige. So adopting these behaviors and mindsets will give each of us the ability to be happy.