Tips for Living a Happier, More Balanced Life
I have been trying to figure out how to obtain a balanced life. Obviously there is no perfect answer or direct path, but I think the phrase “live your life” has helped me. This sounds simple and it is. Stop overthinking, be present.
My goal is to be healthy and active, yet I don’t want this to prevent me from the joys of the world. Eating nutritious foods fuels me, however eating more indulgent foods brings me the utmost happiness. Food connects me to other cultures, to my family, and even to myself. Eating my favorite Mexican food or a giant piece of cake with loads of frosting brings me gratitude. I have learned to appreciate the little things. Listen to yourself and live your life. What I mean is, if you have plans to make a healthy dinner or stay in and do your homework, but a fun event comes along, go for it. Do the things that will make you smile and make you happy when you look back at what you have done. Often, we are afraid to take a leap of faith and follow our hearts, but if you don’t, you will be living the same day over and over.
However, this works for the opposite end of the spectrum as well. There are tasks you have to do, but be happy about the progress you have made. Get excited about productivity and checking off boxes. The feeling of really working hard is so rewarding especially when you have something exciting waiting for you at the other end. With this, create excitement in your life. Stop making each day so boring. Routine can be enjoyable, but so can switching it up. Excitement doesn’t have to be something giant or out of the ordinary, it could even be reserving time to watch TV after you finish your work. At the beginning of each day, I think about at least one thing I am looking forward to at the end of the day, this helps me get through the day with a smile and allows me to focus on my work. I try to get as much as possible done during the school day, so I can come home and enjoy whatever I have planned. For example, one day after school I went to play tennis with my dad, which is already something I deeply cherish. Then, I decided to go for a dip in the pool. It ended up being the best thing ever. It felt like a summers day and I started to wonder why I don’t partake in similar activities during the week. I feel like there are so many things that we have deemed as “weekend” activities, but why? Take steps to enjoy your life, work towards a goal of happiness. On the same note, stop waiting for the weekend or a special occasion to enjoy life or be happy. Make happiness the present.
“Stop making the remarkable unremarkable.” I heard this from one of my yoga teachers and it shocked me and stuck with me. Most days, we do incredible, amazing things, but don’t give ourselves the recognition we deserve. We don’t stop and take a second to be proud of ourselves or appreciate what we just did, thus making the remarkable unremarkable. When this is done, we overlook how capable we are and the power we have. Recently, I have tried to take time to reflect and/or to appreciate whatever it is that I just did. Whether it be taking a minute at the end of my peloton ride to think about how amazing it is that I just rode for 45 minutes or if I finish an essay, I allow myself to sit and take it in. Put emphasis on the things you do. As humans, we are amazing. Somedays we go through a whole day of school, come home, maybe do a workout, maybe go to a job, do homework, etc. You do that!!! Stop skimming it over and start thinking about each day as a fantastic accomplishment.
Spread your joy to others. This is your reminder to be compassionate as we are all going through something that is not easily understood by others. Compassion allows us to cultivate a more kind world and live within the joy we create.
Remember your “why” and do more of the things that fuel it and less of the things that detract from it. For example, if I don’t feel like working out, I remember my “why.” My “why” changes all the time, but the foundation of it is to allow me to live a happy life. If a workout isn’t going to contribute to my happiness, then why am I doing it? Sometimes my “why” is to feel my power and in that case I will take on the workout, even if I don’t necessarily feel like it.
Communicate!!! Communication is the key to life. Communicate with yourself, your loved ones, your peers, your colleagues, etc. Communication creates strong relationships and a better quality of life for all involved. No one is a mind reader, so you can’t get what you need from others if you don’t tell them what you need. Similarly, sometimes we block off our thoughts because we don’t want to confront them. You have to open yourself up and see what you need to flourish.
To attain balance, you may need to schedule time into your routine for various activities. Most days try to include something productive/ work-oriented, something active, something that makes you happy, and something that relaxes you. We need to rest. You cannot pour from an empty cup, trust me I have tried. You need to fill up your cup all the time everyday. Stop feeling guilty for taking rest and start prioritizing it. Rest and having fun is productive too!!!
If you are constantly surrounded by negative people, your life is going to be negative too. Make the effort to find people that support you and lift you up. Then, make time for them.
Find complete happiness in yourself. Work on becoming exactly who you want to be and think of what and who will get you there.
Lastly, remember that each day is different. You may have less energy one day or feel more productive another and that is so normal. Don’t think about what you think you should be doing, just give your all.