Would I be out of line to assume we ALL would like a little more happiness in our lives?
NO WAY!
Even the happiest person on earth would be like " Hell yeah, sign me up for more happiness, please and thank you! Woohoo!"
So, if you're on board for putting a little more happiness in your daily life, I've got good news for you. There's one simple thing you can do to get the train chugging down the tracks of happiness.
And there are infinite ways you can incorporate it into your life, every day.
Luckily for you, I've narrowed down to ten examples to give you a head start.
We'll get to those in just a moment, but first , I wan to talk about comparison.
"Comparison is the thief of joy"
- Theodore Roosevelt
In the age of social media highlight reels, celebrity TV shows, and Insta-perfect moms, its easier than ever to let yourself fall victim to the comparison game.
It seems almost impossible to avoid when we have perfectly curated Instagram feeds constantly beaming our short-comings through our eyeballs, into our brains, permeating our souls and ultimately convincing us we are "less-than".
So how do we fight this joy thief and take back our happiness?
Sure, we COULD smash our phones with hammers and spend the rest of our lives living under a rock, trying to avoid any contact with the media and/or technology.
But then we would miss out on those adorable cat videos, hilarious vine compilations, and the opportunity to connect with so many awesome people all over the world.
Also, Disney+ just dropped soooo, I have a pretty good relationship with my TV right now and I don't plan on cutting my ties with technology any time soon.
But there IS something we can do. And it's a lot easier than deleting your facebook account, changing your name, and moving to the woods to live entirely off the grid. #thatescalatedquickly
So here it is .....drum roll please...
*insert drum roll noises here*
Practicing Thankfulness.
Yep. It's that simple.
Practicing thankfulness is all about training your brain to focus on the things you already have.
Living in the moment. Loving what's in front of you.
Realizing you already have everything you need. That you already ARE everything you need to be.
It's pretty much comparison Kryptonite.
When you practice thankfulness, you're saying yes to little reminders of happiness.
Little by little, you're building your fortress of gratitude. A fortress so strong, sneaky little comparison thieves wont stand a chance at getting through to snag your joy.
Those celebrity closets filled with the latest fashion won't mean a thing to you when you're busy being focused on how awesome and confident your favorite shirt makes you feel.
The picturesque insta-mom kitchens will feel non-existent when all you can think about is how much you love the smell of chocolate chip cookies. Just like the ones that are currently baking in your less than perfect kitchen.
It might sound silly, but it totally works.
Okay, now its time to take some action!
Here they are...
10 Simple Ways to Practice Thankfulness Every Day
1. Say Thank You (and mean it)
Pick one person to genuinely thank every day. Your mom, your dog, the checkout clerk, whoever. You encounter so many people every day, and usually throw out the habitual, half-hearted "Thank you" when its required.
Instead, take the time to think about what these people do for you, mean to you, and how they're actually impacting your life in a positive way. Then put some real feeling behind that Thank You.
2. Start Every Day with a Gratitude Journal
There is something extra magical about putting pen to paper. Start every morning or end every day by writing about what you’re thankful for.
Then, at the end of the week, month, and year, go back and read through the daily journals. You'll have a great snapshot of all of the amazing things in your life.
3. Get an Expo Marker and Write Your Thanks on the Bathroom Mirror
Don't have time for a daily journal? Grab an expo marker and jot down five things you're thankful for on your bathroom mirror.
You'll see the list every day in the morning and night, and smile to yourself because you're so lucky to be YOU.
4. Post on Facebook or Other Social Media Platforms
Are you the share-it-all type? Shout that shit from the rooftops! Er... the status update!
Share your thanks on social media. BONUS, you'll be spreading positivity and inspiring others while you do it :)
5. Leave Yourself Post-it Reminders of What You're Thankful For
Grab some post-its and write down something you're thankful for on each one.
Then post them around the house, your purse, books, and other places where you'll find them throughout the day!
6. Get a Gratitude Buddy and Text Each Other Every Day
The buddy system is tried and true. Enlist a friend on your journey of thankfulness and commit to texting each other what you're thankful for every day!
7. Text Yourself!
Are you more of a solo-show? You can totally text yourself your thankful reminders every day! It's quick, it's easy, and it's only a few finger taps away!
8. Say all the Things You’re Thankful for Out Loud to Yourself
This one is great because you literally don't need anything. It's a no-excuses type of deal.
Take a second to say out loud, ten things you're thankful for. In the car, shower, or while doing homework, there are SO many opportunities to do this every day.
9. Quietly Give Your Thanks at Night Before Going to Sleep
When you lay your head down at night, take a quiet moment to reflect on all of the awesome experiences, amazing friends, and wonderful blessings this life has bestowed upon you.
10. Surround Yourself with Thankful People
It's not a secret that the people you surround yourself with have a major impact on your habits, your mood, and your view of the world.
If you want to live a happier life, full of thankfulness and gratitude, it helps to surround yourself with people who are doing the same. <3
These 10 actions are just the beginning of the infinite ways in which we can practice thankfulness in our daily lives. But you're so creative and smart, I know you'll find new ways to practice thankfulness that are just so uniquely, you.
And hey, Thank You.