What exactly does a happy life look like?

Honestly, everyone defines happiness for themselves differently. For some, it’s finally living in a big house and driving around with their dream car. Others find true happiness in traveling the world with 20 material possessions in their backpacks, or volunteering in non-profit organizations.

We all have some kind of picture of a perfect happy life that we strive for. And most of us try our best to focus our actions towards reaching our goals.

However, most of us are driven by the assumption that owning more material possessions makes us truly happy and that one day, when we finally have all the desired stuff, we can settle.

Unfortunately, that is not the case, and here’s why.

Material possessions bring short-term happiness, whereas experiences, relationships, and sharing our values with our community bring us real joy and fulfillment that can last forever.

There are some day-to-day actions and long term habits we can all agree on that support the journey to a happier life, right?

Those actions that align with our values make up a simple formula for living a happier and more fulfilling life.

So I thought of creating a list of good deeds that will lead you to a happy life.

IN THIS POST

Live beneath your means
Return everything you borrow
Stop blaming other people
Don’t take yourself too seriously
Admit it when you make mistakes
Give clothes not worn to charity
Do something nice and try not to get caught
Listen more & talk less
Every day take a 30 min. walk
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Be on time & don’t make excuses
Don’t argue
Get organized
Be kind to unkind people
Let someone cut ahead of you in line
Take time to be alone
Cultivate good manners
Be humble
Realize and accept that life isn’t fair
Know when to keep your mouth shut
Go an entire day without criticizing anyone
Learn from the past. Plan for the future
Live in the present
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Enjoy the simple things

WHAT IS THE FORMULA FOR LIVING A HAPPY LIFE?

Let this list serve you as an inspiration for your day-to-day actions. Most of them are easy to follow, and you can practice them lightly.

LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS

Nowadays, too many people buy things that they can’t even afford. We get easily influenced by the people around us who have the same mindset of accumulating more and more.

And often we follow people we don’t really know and buy similar stuff as they do, just to show off our possessions.

Acquiring unnecessary and expensive things often lead to useless lifestyle inflation, followed by debt and financial ruin.

In fact, some of us are drowning in debt, that it seems impossible to get out again.

I encourage you to end the comparison game and turn away from consumerism starting now! Instead, strive towards financial freedom by living below your means. But don’t forget to also live well within your means to a level that you feel content.

This is probably one of the most essential tips that I can give you, and it will keep you away from trouble and enhance your happiness.

RETURN EVERYTHING YOU BORROW

One of the most annoying things in life is when someone owes you money or don’t return your belongings.

While I encourage everyone to borrow things they need only once or twice to avoid cluttering up their homes, I also insist on giving those things and of course money back to their owners.

Some simply forget about it, but others also insist on holding on something that was not originally theirs. That doesn’t only make them untrustworthy but also careless and outrageous.

Make it a habit to give back the things you don’t own to its original owner once not needed anymore.

STOP BLAMING OTHER PEOPLE

Another good deed amongst the formula to happiness is to take responsibility, no matter what.

Stop blaming someone else for what your life looks like today. You are the captain of your ship, and you write your story.

So if you are unsatisfied with your life, start making some changes. Nobody else can and will do that for you. Blaming others is equal to blurring out your own reality.

While you make everyone else responsible for your problems, your discontent remains, which will get you nowhere.

Take responsibility, take control, and move forward.

DON’T TAKE EVERYTHING TOO SERIOUSLY

To live a happy life, you’ve got to set your mindset to be happy as well.

Taking everything too seriously, especially yourself, will most likely suppress the feeling of lightness and joy.

Take it easy and laugh as much as you can, also about yourself and your imperfections. We should all embrace our imperfections.

ADMIT IT WHEN YOU MAKE MISTAKES

We all make mistakes. It’s what makes us human.

Show your strong character by admitting your own mistakes. Mistakes teach us lessons and help us to learn and grow.

Further, accept the mistakes of others as well. As said, nobody is perfect, and we should all do our very best to learn from our mistakes.

GIVE CLOTHES NOT WORN TO CHARITY

Don’t let unneeded stuff clutter up your home. They don’t serve any purpose when they just collect dust. But don’t simply throw them away. Find a new home for them instead.

For example, we have developed the habit of collecting whole mountains of clothes, of which most don’t even get worn. Clothes that others may need desperately.

Donating clothes to charities will not only help others in need but also contribute to your happiness. Because one of the meaningful formulas of a happier life is helping others

Plus, on your minimalist journey, you’ll find things to give away easily.

Need help to declutter your home and help other people? Here is how to get started.

DO SOMETHING NICE AND TRY NOT TO GET CAUGHT

If you do something for others, let your intention be because you want to, and not for something in return or for publicity.

If your driving motivation remains to help others just to make them happy, life will reward you with your own happiness in return.

So don’t show off your charitable actions or use others for your advantage. Do something nice because you simply want to help.

LISTEN MORE & TALK LESS

Another great virtue is to listen more, while letting others speak.

While talking brings people together, it’s listening that helps us learn from others.

Listening more allows you to understand other people’s opinions from their perspective and will help you widen your horizon.

“IF SPEAKING IS SILVER, LISTENING IS GOLD.”
Turkish Proverb

Use this advice whenever you are having a conversation with friends, family members, colleagues, and also foreign people.

Talking less and listening more will reward you with wisdom and strengthen your personality.

EVERYDAY TAKE A 30 MINUTE WALK

Short walks can work wonders. Not only do they contribute to your physical health. Serving as a downtime, they also calm your mind and help you think clearly.

It’s also scientifically proven that walking helps reduce stress and depression.

Enrich your day with a physical exercise like walking for 30 minutes. Let your thoughts go, and additionally enjoy nature. It will help you clear your mind and embrace happiness.

I personally love this one and have integrated it into my daily morning routine.

STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE, NOT FOR PERFECTION

Remember that nobody is perfect. So there is no point in trying to strive for perfection.

Making mistakes is normal and what makes us human. You don’t have to be perfect but always give your best.

And don’t worry if you fail. Because life is unpredictable and sometimes throws stones at you along the way.

However, don’t waste time to get everything right.

And when life knocks you down, stand up and move forward. The most important thing is that you tried.

BE ON TIME & DON’T MAKE EXCUSES

Nobody likes waiting. So don’t keep others waiting for you.

Cultivate the habit of being on time and showing others that you value their time and that they can trust you.

Being on time means that you won’t need to make excuses in the first place. They will only make you feel that you have failed somehow.

Being on time is a sign of respect and will reward you with more respect.

DON’T ARGUE

Don’t waste the most valuable recourse you have by arguing with others: your time and the time of others.

A life well-lived is an uncomplicated life with as few tractions with others as possible.

So stay calm, don’t raise your voice, and try to find immediate solutions to your problems with others. Avoid bringing negativity into your life and to others.

GET ORGANIZED

Avoid messing up your life with useless stuff and distractions that won’t bring you joy.

The key to less stress and clutter is getting yourself organized.

Find ways to uncomplicate your life and make space for more meaningful tasks and experiences.

If your thoughts are everywhere, take a step back, think of what you can reduce, and organize your day to the scale that you feel satisfied.

Remember, the less material and mental clutter you have to deal with, the less you have to devote your time in organizing your life.

BE KIND TO UNKIND PEOPLE

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

Be kind to unkind people or your worst enemies as well.

Why?

Because they are unkind for a reason, and you never know what they have been through or if they are struggling with something. Respect and accept that. They may not know any better and might be seeking help from inside.

Never take other behaviors personally and try to offer help even if they don’t seem to like it. Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to change lives.

LET SOMEONE CUT AHEAD OF YOU IN LINE

We all should help where we can. Even small things like letting someone in front of you while standing in line in a supermarket is a sign of goodwill.

If you are not in a rush and you see that you could help people behind you (elder or disabled people, parents with kids, or some who have fewer things to buy), then show your helpfulness by giving them way.

In return, you’ll mostly get a smile 🙂

TAKE TIME TO BE ALONE

Once in a while, we all need time for ourselves and clear our minds.

That’s when we reflect on our thoughts and emotions and put things into perspective.

That doesn’t mean that you are lonely.

Make sure to make space for your “me time” every now to help yourself understand your behaviors better and make changes if you need to.

Your quality in solitude also serves as an opportunity to be grateful for what you already have.

CULTIVATE GOOD MANNERS

Life is much easier and more enjoyable with good manners. They will automatically make you happier because you provide positive energy by practicing them.

You show that you care and that you act with good intentions. That will open up far more good opportunities than with bad manners.

BE HUMBLE

One of the best manners is staying humble.

Nobody likes show-offs and self-centered people. Whereas humble people who don’t let their pride think of themselves to be something better are definitely more sympathetic.

Being humble is a way of showing emotional intelligence helps to connect and build positive relationships with others.

REALIZE AND ACCEPT THAT LIFE ISN’T FAIR

Accept that life isn’t always smooth sailing. It’s a rollercoaster journey with ups and downs and tons of things that are out of your control.

Life is never fair for anyone, and it’s useless to get caught up in stress and negativity.

Remember that life isn’t’ always fair for anyone.

When times get tough, strengthen yourself with gratitude for what you have and move forward as soon as you can.

KNOW WHEN TO KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT

When getting into a discussion, we sometimes get heated up to the point that we start hurting others with our words. Sometimes we ruin precious relationships.

Keep negative words in general for yourself, and if you don’t have anything nice to say, better shut up.

GO A FULL DAY WITHOUT CRITICIZING ANYONE

Another formula for happiness is to stop criticizing others. It will just waste your time and energy. And you’ll probably hurt others doing so.

Everybody is different, and nobody likes being mocked on. If you want to change the behavior of others, better give them ideas and show them ways to accomplish the transformation.

Try it for an entire day and make it a habit from the next day on.

LEARN FROM THE PAST

Instead of living in the past, learn from it, and design a better future with your knowledge.

Dwelling on past events won’t get you any further. But our past lets us do things differently and plan better so that we won’t make the same mistakes repeatedly.

Free yourself from worries and apply your experience to create a happier future.

LIVE IN THE PRESENT

Accept the past, plan for the future, but live in the present.

Easier said than done, right? But this is crucial to living a happy life.

In order to achieve your goals, you should devote your time to design a roadmap. Once the goal is clear and the roadmap is set, stick to plan.

Finally, you will be able to live more in the present because the upfront work has been done and you only have to follow your path.

Living a minimalist life helps you to reduce your thoughts to the things that matter most.

Without the overwhelming material and mental noise, you can plan and live in the present more efficiently.

DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF

Don’t let minor issues upset or stress you out. They are simply not worth your energy.

Most often, we worry about things that never happen. Still, such thoughts occupy our heads, causing us to feel tense.

Keep calm and avoid making a mountain out of a molehill.

And as said, don’t strive for perfection and let yourself worry about unnecessary details. Sometimes we get caught up in analyzing too much. Analysis can lead to paralysis.

Move on!

The big picture is what really matters.

ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS

Not to be mistaken with the small things above, the simple things in life are the ones that bring real joy.

They don’t necessarily cost anything and present themselves to us every day.

Appreciate good sleep, waking up healthy, nature, good company, the rays of the sunlight, the beauty of the moon, good laughs, and all the other simple things that spark joy.

They keep you down to earth and show you to relish your limited time on earth.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope you found this simple formula for living a happier life helpful.

This guide is easy to follow and implement into your daily life. It will not only make you happier but all others around you too.

Do me a favor and share this with your friends, family, and other acquaintances, and show them the way to more joy.