Podcast Episode 190 - How to Live a Happy Life in a Not-So-Happy World pt 5
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Do you ever feel blah and aren’t sure why?
Is it possible to pull yourself out of the blasés?
Would you like to continually have something to look forward to that makes you happy?
We’re closing out this series with a trick I learned to create happiness while going through a multiple-year depression.
Today is for you if…
If you want even more happiness.
If you’re tired of that blah feeling clinging to you day after day.
If you’re ready to create the happy life you need and deserve.
We’ve been exploring how to live a happy life in a not-so-happy world.
You’ve learned:
There are two kinds of happiness: happiness you experience right now and happiness that makes your life meaningful, and we need both.
We broke down some myths of happiness, and you discovered your own myths and the truth.
Next, we discovered that relationships are the #1 key to happiness, and we chose to set priorities, be intentional and be consistent will help us nurture that relationship.
Then we learned how we could create happiness instantly using Happy Triggers.
I want to share one more powerful ingredient to living a happy life.
When I was going through a multiple-year depression ten years ago, I started a practice that was a key to help me pull out of it.
I asked myself this question every day: What five things am I looking forward to in the next seven days?
This is powerful because it gave me something to look forward to when I didn’t think I had anything to look forward to.
Give yourself something to look forward to.
When you have something you’re aiming for, it energizes you and creates happiness.
For example, vacation when you’re going on vacation, the time leading up to it seems to go faster. You enjoy the planning and the vacation itself and get more done at work leading up to vacation, etc.
Make a 100 Dream list - here are some ideas to get you started:
It pushes you to dream about the big and the small
Countries to visit - Australia, Japan,
Cruises - Alaska, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, Hawaii, etc.
Classes to take, sewing, piano or oboe, underwater basket weaving, and hula dancing…in Hawaii… count as two
Home decor or improvements
Vacations
Self-care - a spa day, personal retreat, buy an outfit
Local Family adventures, one-on-one adventures with each child
Ride a horse…in Montana, that’s another two
Learn a skill - excel, html, scrapbooking,
Photoshoot
Career or work-related
Write a book
Start a blog or speak
Teach people a hobby or craft you love
Read 100 books in your lifetime
Take up cycling, scuba diving, or cross-fit
Have a baby, adopt or foster parent
Wine tasting tour or take a class on it
Gardening
Join a choir, a book club, bible study or toastmasters
Give to the charity of your choice or start a charity
Run a race
Buy fresh flowers each week or month just because you’re worth it
You could break your 100 Dream list out into seasons too:
Strawberry picking, plant tulips for spring or better yet, visit holland or Tulip Town in Mount Vernon, WA
Go to the lake or beach in the summer
Apple picking or pumpkin patch in the fall
Christmas lights in the winter, skiing trip…or Harbin, China ice festival