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We are often taught how to live, they offer rules and recipes for happiness. But life is somewhat more complicated. She is chaotic and unpredictable. What will actually help you cope with everyday difficulties and find joy even in the most difficult times?
Happiness is a worthy goal worth striving for. The main thing is to understand what this state means for you personally, not to set the bar too high and not to let other people and circumstances lead you astray. Clinical psychologist Karen Nimmo is convinced of this. She has collected five important thoughts that will help you stay afloat in any worldly storm.
1. Keep Interest in Your Own Life
“I don’t care about anything, I don’t care at all,” is what people who come to therapy often say. Moreover, they do not necessarily have clinical depression: burnout and fatigue can be the cause of this inner emptiness and lack of motivation.
However, it is important to be involved in what is happening in your life. Even if at the moment you don’t give a damn about yourself and the situation, make an effort on yourself and take at least a tiny step forward.
2. Get creative
Creativity is a lifeline so needed by many in dark times. Karen Nimmo advises acquiring a hobby or passion that will be nice to return to, or at least do something with your hands more often – cooking, gardening, solving puzzles, drawing, carving wood, knitting. Creativity stimulates the brain, so make sure you have time for it in your schedule.
3. At least sometimes look at the world through the eyes of another
We are used to believing that the world is as we see it, but this is only our point of view. If we constantly look at the surrounding reality through the same lenses, our focus is scattered.
The next time something bad happens, try to stop and look at what is happening from a different angle, ideally through the eyes of another. You can disagree with his point of view, but at least it will expand your viewing angle and understanding of the world. The ability to understand what situation the interlocutor perceives is a real art. But the result is worth striving for.
4. Never lose your sense of humor
And if you don’t have it, just talk to people, everywhere – in the park, on the street, in the parking lot, in line at the checkout. Carry on what in the UK is called small talk, chatter, meaningless small talk.
Many people say that they hate small talk, but Karen Nimmo believes that a “small” conversation can turn into a “big” and deep one at any time. And even if not, still try to appreciate such conversations.
Perhaps your conversation gave a lot, if not to you, then to the interlocutor. Much has already been said and written about this, and yet it is not a sin to repeat it again: social ties are important, and not only close and close ones. Any positive interaction is important: even a simple laugh, a smile, an exchange of a couple of phrases can cheer up both us and the other.
5. Treat every day like a little party.
There are really hard days in which it is difficult to find at least something joyful. Sometimes the world tests us for strength. And yet in any darkness you can discern a ray of light. So do not stop trying – and if you succeed, celebrate your victory.