How To Be Happier: 11 Tips From Optimists

“Don’t compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to yourself from a week ago. Find a few things to be grateful for each day.” — ComeOnOverForABurger

“Make goals. Even small ones. Progress makes me happy. It makes me feel like I’m growing as a person.” — bearded_charmander

“Enjoy the moment you’re in. Now never happens again. Don’t miss the good things happening around you now, while day-dreaming about the better tomorrow. You can enjoy that better tomorrow when it gets here, but for now, focus on what you are doing and the people you are with. It all becomes the past waaaaay too quickly.” — Rockstaremcee

“Stop looking for happiness. Look for contentment first. Find something you can do and are fine with doing. I’m content at my job could make more but my managers treat me well and so do my coworkers. I have time for my hobbies on my days off and some people to hang out with. I wouldn’t tell anyone to stop searching for happiness but what I mean is take baby steps to get there. Maybe the job you want is just without of reach right now so take a step towards it.” — twin-shadows

“Strangely enough, believing that there is no destiny. You weren’t born to accomplish something in particular, you have no obligation to ‘succeed’ in anything. Therefore, it is completely fine to decide your life goals on your own, and they can change anytime you want.” — yanagicha

“I try to find things every day to be happy about, even very little things. I love my lemon shower soap. I’m happy it’s only raining, and not snowing out. Or it’s cold as hell, but hey look! The sun is out. Maybe I have something extra good in my lunch, or a package arrives in the mail. A new book that turns out to be great, how lovely it feels to take off work clothes and get wrapped in a bathrobe. Looking forward to a vacation. Enjoying a movie. A pretty view, etc. I can find many things to lift my spirits, all day long. I’m not afraid to treat myself here and there, either! Or be easy on myself if I don’t get all the laundry folded, etc. I might have started intentionally doing this as a teenager but now it’s second nature, to always try to find the good in situations. I also smile and greet people every chance I get, and try to be extra kind to people I serve at work. This also gives me a boost. Basically I get up every morning and tell myself I’m going to be happy, and one way or another, I AM.” — Travelgrrl

“Just go with it. Let things happen the way they are going to. It will all work out in the end. My favorite saying is, ‘I may not have gone where I wanted to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be.'” — RomeoPanelli888

“Say thank you more often. There’s so many things that we have which we take for granted. And we forget to sometimes stop and take stock of what we have.” — Animanionixkajana

“Make sure you are taking care of yourself. Invest in a good mattress. Eat well. Exercise. Take your vitamins. Especially vitamin D. It’s hard to be happy when you aren’t feeling well. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It doesn’t help to carry stress with you. And depression is real. Buy quality. Delay your gratification whenever possible. Things that are cheap are rarely satisfying. Better quality things provide a better experience with fewer headaches. It’s an investment that pays off cumulatively with time. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Remember that most people out there just want to make it through the day, and go home to their family and kids. They aren’t there to screw you over. There are more people out there who would be happy to see you be successful than those who would complain. Success is not a zero sum game. And just relax. Things are rarely as bad or good as our minds imagine.” — m1sch13v0us

“Invest in friends, family (if you get along) and experiences rather than material possessions. Yes having things can be rewarding but sharing your life with those who genuinely care about you is one of the happiest feelings in the world.” — Such_Run_8189

“Practice gratitude, kindness, and humility. Listen to others. Love wholeheartedly. All these things calm the mind, heart, and soul.” — Lucky-Still2215