How to Feel Happy

Too often we are swept away by the everyday life. We find ourselves in jobs we don’t like but ones we must have in order to pay the bills. We dream of winning a large sum of money so we could go and fulfil our dreams.

Dreams.

How to feel happy when chasing useless dreams? But are they really useless?

What are the dreams you would like to fulfill? What exactly is it that you would like to do? Really. Often we just say “Oh I wish I did not have to go to work but had enough money to do what I wanted.”  And then we leave it at that. A vague expression of our wish that life would be fun. A vague miracle that would answer the question how to feel happy forever more.

Do you blame your life’s circumstances for not being as happy as you’d like?

Well, here’s a secret for you: life happens when you have other plans. The events of the world are something we often cannot control. And if think avoiding unpleasant situations is how to feel happy, we are likely to fail. If, however, we are lucky enough to live in a peaceful country, there are ways we can find happiness in our lives.

First: stop blaming the world and other people. Let them be. If they are abusing you, leave the situation. If they are just being themselves, and annoying you, let them be. Constantly complaining about other people's behavior is not the way to how to feel happy.

Second: Analyze your dreams. Not the ones you see at night, but the dreams of what you would like to do.  A good hint comes from remembering what was it you dreamt of being when you were a child. Maybe being an astronaut or a princess no longer are valid options, but there must be a passion hidden there.

Did you love to write? Could you weave your wish for adventure into stories you write? Did you love to draw? Did you love to read? Did you enjoy exercising? Singing? Acting? Learning languages? Building things? Playing chess?

Don’t censor anything. Write them down.

And then: how could you start doing those things again that you love? Could you find a few moments in your week to enjoy them? If so, do that, even if it feels silly. You may have denied these dreams from yourself for so long that your mind has been learned to react with “What’s to use?”. It often happens when we think we don’t have time to pursue those passionate dreams we once had. Our answer on how to feel happy has turned into pursuit of money, not the feeling of satisfaction.

And the trap on turning away from these dreams is usually money. Our western society had taught us that everything should be made into a profitable career.

Why?

Why wouldn’t you do something you’ve always dreamt of doing even if it doesn’t give you any income?

How to feel happy - my own experiences:

Like everyone else I have been finding answers to the question of how to feel happy in my life. I decided to actively pursue my dreams.

I loved ancient Egypt since childhood. I was over 40 when I finally found a way to study the subjects while working full time. (Thank you, University of Manchester!)

It cost me a lot, but I loved it so much I was willing to pay for my studies. I simply downsized other parts of my life. I started an Egyptology website www.ancientegypt101.com, and created a cartoon charater Mr. Mummific. I did this only for fun, never expecting any income out of it. It was a hobby and I did not censor my (oddish) sense of humor either.  And then a publishing house saw him, contacted me, and now a book by Mr. Mummic is coming out this year and I am writing and illustrating a sequel to it.

Writing was and is another passion. I practically stopped writing long stories years ago, but then the old dream raised its head again. Now (2016) I have one novel out and its sequel will be published soon.

Singing. I’m one of those people who always sing along when listening to music (when alone). Local Lions Club put up a little singing group and I joined it. We practice once a week on our own time. Last year we went to an old people’s home before Christmas and sang Christmas carols at a Christmas event the Lions had arranged to lonely old people. They were people who lived alone, and did not have family around (too common in Western world…).  No financial gain there either, but seeing people smiling and wiping tears when they heard old songs from their childhood was more valuable than any money could ever be.

A friend loves to read and she put up a blog where she reviews the books she is reading. Now she has begun receiving emails from publishers who ask her to review their authors’ books. And often love of reading goes together with a dream of writing. And now she, a mother of a young family, has been accepted to study writing and literature. She has the passion and she is following it.

There seems to be magic in following your dreams. When you do what you truly love, unexpected doors open, as if the whole universe wants to help you in fulfilling your dream. I think a deep rooted passion is something your soul wants you to do. So give it a chance.

And don’t mix up other people’s dreams with your own. They may talk you into helping them in following their dream, and it may be fun for a while. But when you begin to feel reluctant at being tied to someone else’s project, maybe it is time you let them continue on their dream path and just cheer them on. And then begin to work on your own dreams.

For that is how to feel happy. Doing something you love to do simply because you love it.

So think of one thing you had passion for in the past. Then take your calendar and write down at least one time per week when you are going to commit getting reacquainted with your old dream. Keep at it for a month and see what happens.

You just might find a joyful path that lights up everything else in your life.

I hope I have given you some ideas on how to feel happy. Go and enjoy your dreams!