Most people strive for happiness in their lives, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to achieve. The truth is that there are probably little things you do all the time that are getting in the way of your true happiness.
Once you make tweaks to your routine, you can eliminate these little habits and find the joy you want and deserve. Stop doing these things today and you should notice positive results in no time at all. Instead of trying all of these ideas at once, start slow and work your way from one to the next. That way the process feels easier and won’t leave you frustrated.
1. Working For Money
Yes, you need a job to pay the bills, but most people look at their job solely as a way to earn a paycheck. Happiness experts will tell you that you’ve got to have at least a little bit of passion for your job to make it one that adds joy to your life. If you slog through the workday just to get your check in a couple of weeks, it’s probably time for you to look for something new.
Think about your passions and turn them into a job and you should be happier right away. For example, if you love kids, maybe you could get your preschool teacher certification and quit punching in at the office every day.
2. Being Worried And Scared
Worry and fear are a natural part of everyone’s life, but experts say that most of the things you’re worried about or scared of never actually happen. In those cases, you’re wasting your life avoiding happiness.
Practice letting go of your worries and fears and your happiness level will go up accordingly. This can be very hard to do, but seeing a therapist or keeping a journal can really help you.
3. Waiting For Perfection
The truth is that perfection doesn’t exist and waiting for it to happen is only going to kill your happiness. If you’re waiting to move until you get a job, waiting to have a baby until you have $10,000 saved or waiting to make a career move until you’re older, stop waiting and do the things you know will make you happy right now.
Stop putting off your happiness, because the conditions will likely never be perfect. Just go for it.
4. Focusing On Other People’s Lives
It’s easy to concentrate on the wins and successes of everyone else, leaving you wondering why you can’t get there. However, this is a surefire way to ruin your happiness. Instead of focusing on what everyone else is doing, take control of your life and use that time and energy to reach your own dreams and goals.
Cut out the things that are holding you back and your happiness will follow.
5. Concentrating On The Hard Stuff
No one ever said that life was going to be easy. You will face hard times and good times. The best way to hold on to your happiness is to gain perspective. A bad day does not equal a bad life. A bad month won’t ruin things forever. You get the idea.
Use those hurdles and setbacks as a lesson, and change things to help prevent them from getting in your way again in the future. Each new day is a chance to start over and reach your ultimate happiness.
6. Feeling Hatred
You might think that hating someone or something is harming them, but the opposite is actually true. When you hold onto hateful feelings, you’re only hurting yourself by interfering with true happiness.
Instead of giving the people you hate a place in your life, cut them free. Disconnect from that hatred and focus on your own life, and you should notice that happiness follows close behind. This won’t be easy, but it will be completely worth it.
7. Staying With People Who Hurt You
No one gets through this life without someone hurting them. However, you can make the choice to separate yourself from those who are hurting you on a regular basis. After all, it’s hard to be happy when you are always fearful, angry, sad or otherwise put out.
Stop wasting your time making this person quit hurting you, but instead simply cut them from your life. This can be very hard to do, but with time and effort you can do it.
Whether it’s a spouse, sibling, friend or parent, you can’t be truly happy when you are always with a person who is tearing you down and making you unhappy.
8. Spending Too Much Time On Looks
Yes, appearance is important, but it’s not everything. People who spend too much time focused on how they look and what other people think of them are not as happy as those who don’t. Everyone finds different things attractive, so just because you aren’t a runway model doesn’t mean that you aren’t good-looking.
Focus on what makes you feel good about yourself, such as great clothes or a nice haircut. You’ll feel good about the way you look, which will boost your happiness exponentially. At the same time, try not to focus on other people’s looks. Give them a chance to prove how great they are.
9. Seeking Short-Term Contentment
Being content is a great feeling, but it’s not the same thing as lasting happiness. You can be content in a moment, but not be happy overall. There are two types of contentment – fleeting and enduring.
When contentment endures, you can build happiness and enjoy your life more. On the other hand, fleeting contentment only lasts for a short time and then you’ll be right back where you started. Seek out enduring contentment, and you’ll be a lot better off.
10. Trying To Make A Huge Difference All At Once
It’s natural human nature to want to make a difference in the world, but trying to do it all at once can be overwhelming and unsuccessful. Start by making a difference in your 
small circle, and the good will ripple outward to create that huge change you want to see. Touching one person means they turn around and pass it on, thereby driving the big difference you want to come about.
True happiness can be attained, but it might take you a bit of time and effort. However, if you try all of these things and still struggle to be happy, it’s a good idea to seek the help of a mental health professional. Depression is a scary illness that can interfere with a good quality of life and can keep you from finding the happiness you’re striving for.
The good news is that with medication and therapy, you can manage your moods and find joy. Happiness is yours for the taking, so get out there and find it.
