Happiness is an idealized concept in theory, however, it should be specified in the practice of life. And the best way to contextualize happiness is through joy. That is, while happiness is that ideal that in many moments you see as a distant good, joy is that everyday feeling that accompanies you in specific situations of the routine everyday.
Every human being can aspire to a better quality of emotional life, that is, to a greater degree of hope, joy and happiness. The emotional map is so complex that a person may want to be happy, without achieving it. In this Psychology-Online article we answer this question: "I want to be happy and I can't: what do I do?"
10 tricks to be happy when you think you can't.
There is a feeling that is very human. Seemingly having everything to be happy and yet experiencing a deep inner emptiness. Having that feeling that something is missing to have the complete whole of the puzzle of existence. This is one of the weaknesses of our time where we can make the mistake of believing that we can reach happiness through materialism that is born of "necessity".
- Fed up with the situation. Take this situation of dissatisfaction as a stimulus to do something to change some aspect of your present life. If you are not happy with your current context, do not resign yourself and do something to modify this plane of reality. What do you want to change and what are you going to do to make that change happen?
- Happiness drifts away when you become obsessed with finding it. This is a very human experience. It is better that you set specific life goals, concrete and real goals. In this way, you shape your reality.
- Contribute to the happiness of others. We are not happier when we lock ourselves in the selfishness of thinking only of ourselves, people are social by nature. For this reason, we feel better when we practice altruism and solidarity. Do good deeds in your environment. Goodness is a natural medicine, it is an inexhaustible seed of happiness. You can not only practice volunteer actions, but also get involved in building a better environment in your family and friends context.
- Do you like your job? Work produces many satisfactions or, also, many sufferings. Many of the people who are unhappy live immersed in the overwhelming feeling of the routine of a job that they see as impersonal. If you don't like your job, start an active job search action plan to find another position. Uncertainty can keep you tied to your current comfort zoneYet you spend so many hours at work that you deserve to feel good at the office.
- Get professional help. If you want to be happy and apathy is a frequent norm in your life, it is recommended that you seek professional help. A psychological therapy can give you the key to moving forward thanks to the personalized advice of an expert.
- Do things you've never done. They can be very simple things. However, the novelty is an incentive to promote personal improvement and experience the satisfaction of new challenges.
- Look for alternatives to complaints. Complaints are a natural outlet. However, don't fall into the trap of the chronic complaint. Look for alternatives to complaints when you enter the negative circle of those messages of discouragement. Make decisions, assume the responsibility that you have in your life.
- Finish those projects you undertake. One of the common characteristics of many chronically dissatisfied people is that they start many new activities and do not finish any. They seek the ideal of living in the constant emotion of illusion. However, this is unreal. Educate your perseverance and your discipline by finishing those projects you undertake. Educate your will. Happiness is beyond emotion and fulfilling the commitments that you have made, fulfilling your duty, is a good step to experience satisfaction.
- Reduce contact with technologies. Technologies bring many satisfactions, but they also bring a lot of suffering when you live constantly mediated by the power of a screen.
- Fill your life with art. Cinema, music, literature, museums, poetry... Remember Plato's message: "Music is for the soul what gymnastics is for the body."
Fall in love with life with your heart.
Happiness is not a mathematical equation, life has its own intrinsic wisdom. Observe the natural attitude of children who live from the spontaneity of joy as a natural state. Review the photos of your childhood album and connect with that childhood stage.
Joy is a natural feeling, as Álex Rovira and Francesc Miralles explain in their new book, a work whose title is precisely the name of this feeling: "Alegría".
Live the present in a literal way. Stop putting off plans for a better time. Do you feel like doing something? So, specify that decision in your most immediate frame of reality. Enjoy the company of people who love you, put into practice the art of conversation, encourage contact with nature, savor the products of good gastronomy and rest. Do you think that happiness begins with extraordinary events? Happiness is nourished by the simple and necessary, such as the pleasure of good sleep.
As Aristotle explains: "The ignorant affirms, the wise doubt and reflect." Therefore, happiness can also begin with doubt when you question aspects of your situation that you would like to improve.
We recommend that you also consult the advice in the article How to be happy without depending on others.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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