How To Be Happy Every Day: 22 Tips For A Fulfilling Life

Everyday happiness seems like an impossible dream, but it doesn’t have to be. You and your limiting beliefs are the only things between you and true happiness. These 22 tips for a fulfilling life will make you stop wondering how to be happy every day, and just be.

First and foremost, you don’t have to be happy every single moment to think of yourself as a happy person. In fact, it’s totally unrealistic, and if that’s how you see happiness, you are setting yourself up for continuous disappointment.

Being happy every day simply means that you have more happy moments than sad ones on any given day. And achieving this can be simplified into two steps:

• First, you need to learn to be more present and notice little good things in life. Attracting joy is easy when you are open-minded, grateful, and ready to catch the precious moment of happiness when it dares to show up. When you focus on the good, you are radiating positive energy that comes back to you multiplied and makes you happier.
• Second, you need to minimize unhappy moments. A good starting point is to cleanse your inner circle of negative people and bad friendships that hold you back. Instead, surround yourself with positive like-minded people who inspire you. Then, learn to let go of the past and your own negativity.

Bad events don’t have power over your life unless you let them, so don’t give them any more time and energy than necessary. Use positive affirmations and breathing exercises regularly to release all the negative emotions that tend to keep you in a toxic circle of negative thoughts.

Things like anger, regret, resentment, self-pity, judgment, and guilt, all hold you back from being the happiest version of yourself every day. Learn to detach yourself from these feelings and stop wasting your energy on them. Instead, focus on the positive feelings of joy, gratitude, love, serenity, hope, and inspiration. Allow yourself to feel them to the fullest!

To change your mindset to become a more positive person, start monitoring your thought patterns. What is your first thought in the morning? What is the last thing you think about before you fall asleep at night? As soon as you make sure you wake up and go to bed with positive feelings, you’ll notice your life becoming more joyous and content.

Everyone wants to know the secret sauce that will teach them how to be happier every day. While in the reality, there is no secret. You just need to accept that you deserve happiness, find out what makes YOU happy, and choose to be happy no matter what!

Happiness is a choice

Happiness is the easiest choice ever, and yet many people choose the opposite.

They let their negative feelings take over and steer the wheel of their life. They choose to reaffirm unhappiness, complain every day, pity themselves, and hate the world around them. They get lost in negativity so much that they never notice anything good. At some point, nothing is ever good enough, and they keep looking for flaws even in the best situations.

They keep reliving the pains of the past, and they are full of fears about the future. They are stuck in their comfort zone of misery and unhappiness because the mere thought of change makes them anxious and defensive.

They blame everything and everyone around them for their unhappiness, never even considering looking inside for answers, not realizing that happiness comes from within.

If you recognize yourself in any of this, no wonder you are unhappy! But don’t worry, I’m not saying it so you start blaming yourself, I’m saying it so you reclaim your power and take the reigns of your own life!

Happiness is certainly a choice, but you have to be willing to change in order to become happy.

Change is good! If you follow your own path and go on a journey from unhappiness to happiness, there is no reason to be afraid of it. Still, we always resist change, even though we know it can lead to making us happier. We sabotage our success in all kinds of ways because we are so afraid.

Yet, it’s not enough to just do positive things every day, you have to maintain a healthy mindset, too. You have to want to change and keep hoping for better days even in the darkest of times. There is always sunshine at the end of the tunnel unless you stay in the tunnel.

Happiness is a state, and you can decide that it’s your default state from now on!

By the end of this post, you’ll know how to find happiness in everyday life and how to incorporate tools such as happy affirmations and gratitude prompts to keep you in a state of contentment.

You always have the choice to be happy. Learn to understand the purpose of bumps in the road, grow from them and stay positive.

Author Unknown

With that said, let’s choose to be happy no matter what and have a wonderful day every day!

22 tips that will help you be happy every day

This is not a step-by-step tutorial on how to be happier. This is the list of tips and tools you can make use of to bring happiness to your everyday life. You might already be doing some of these, and that’s great!

Focus on the concepts that are new to you or the ones that cause the most resistance, for they are the ones that can make the most impact on your personal happiness. Introduce one new thing at a time, and see what happens!

Here are 22 things you can do to be happy every day:

1. Surround yourself with things that bring you joy

Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, probably never had any. While you can’t go to a happiness online store and buy some for yourself (as far as I know), money can still buy you many things that contribute to happiness.

From affording the house of your dreams in the area you feel safe and content living, to being free to travel whenever you want, to feeling pretty in good-quality clothes, to spending vacations with your loved ones in charming places, to purchasing tickets to memorable experiences, there are quite a few ways money can actually make you happier.

My first tip for being happy every day is to surround yourself with things that bring you joy. I first saw this concept named like that in Marie Kondo’s book but I was intuitively doing this for years before it came out, because it just makes sense. Especially in your workplace, or your room at home where you spend the most time, it’s important to keep it filled with positive vibes and little things that inspire you and make you feel joy every day.

To give you some ideas, I have a whole collection of fun stuff to buy to smile more, make sure to check it out!

2. Keep a healthy mindset at all times

Your mindset defines the way you see the world.

It’s up to you whether you want to be a complainer full of limiting beliefs or a successful person who sees opportunities instead of barriers. When you have a healthy mindset, you don’t allow anyone to define your worth, as you know you are good enough to live the life of your dreams.

A positive mindset prevents you from drowning in negative thinking, clinging to the past, and doubting yourself. It helps you be more positive, stay strong when you face challenges, and enjoy life to the fullest.

You May Also Like: 100 Quotes For A Healthy Mindset That Will Set You Up For Success

3. Cut negative people out of your life

If anyone in your life brings you more pain than joy, it might be one of the reasons you are unhappy. Tell yourself that you deserve better and find a way to minimize your interactions with this person.

Cutting people out of your life is never an easy decision, but it means you value yourself enough to not let others destroy your happiness. Besides, decluttering your mental space from toxic influences of negative people makes room for new nice like-minded people to enter your life.

4. Say positive affirmations every day

Research proves that positive self-talk helps you grow self-confidence, cope with stress, motivate yourself, and generally feel less anxious about life.

It’s such an easy way to turn your life around that I talk about affirmations as a mindset tool quite a lot on this blog. You can refer to my collection of 2500+ positive affirmations for everything if you have a specific topic in mind or want to learn more about the concept.

To start simple, depending on the day you are reading this, click on the button below to see daily affirmations for today:

Or grab one of my printable decks of affirmation cards, print them on cardstock, and draw a card with an affirmation every day to set the mood and inspire yourself!

5. Disconnect and relax regularly

In order to be happy every day you need to take regular breaks from “being busy”. It might seem hard, but it’s hard to notice the moments of joy when you are always in your head, thinking about what’s next on your to-do list.

Make the time for peaceful mindful activities that will teach you to be more present. Get off your phone and enjoy your day, as you will never see this one again!

A study done by researchers from the University of Bath, UK showed that just one week off social media led to “dramatic improvements in each participant’s wellbeing”. They noticed significant “drops in anxiety and depression”, enough to inspire them to continue studying the effects of longer social media detox.

Personally, I had an Instagram detox for whopping six months when the pandemic started, and it really helped me stay sane during that challenging time. I’m not saying you should give it up completely, but try to monitor your time wasted scrolling and see if cutting it down helps you feel better on a daily basis.

6. Find out what makes you happy

Every person is different, and someone else’s happiness is rarely the same as yours. And there is often a lot of baggage hidden behind the happy looks on social media. That’s why comparing yourself to others makes no sense!

Only compare yourself to the previous version of yourself, and celebrate every bit of positive change that you notice. Let these self-discovery quotes inspire your own journey to uncovering what makes you happy.

7. Start every day right

The way your morning goes can easily define your whole day, or even several days. If two tiny things go wrong in the morning and you decide that you are having a bad day, there will be lots more bad things happening. And it’s not the world conspiring against you, it’s your own mind looking for more proof that you are right and it’s indeed a bad day.

If you want to be happy and positive every day, take responsibility for all the good days and bad days you are having. Be in control of your thoughts and behaviors, and make sure to set the right mood from the very first moments of your day! For example, here are a couple of things that can make you happy in the morning:

• Wake up peacefully with this alarm that imitates sunlight and nature sounds
• Choose a morning affirmation to set the intention for the day
• Write a thing or two in a gratitude journal
• Reach for a book instead of a phone
• Fill your morning routine with healthy habits

The better your day starts, the more positive energy you’ll have to deal with daily challenges.

You May Also Like: 50 Positive Good Morning Quotes To Wake You Up With A Smile

8. Sleep the best you can

We sleep roughly one-third of our life, and we still underestimate the impact of sleep on our happiness.

Sleeping well every night is one of the simple things that make you happy in the long run. Studies prove time and time again the direct link between sleep quality and life satisfaction.

It’s really difficult to be happy every day if you wake up with no energy, irritated and exhausted. So don’t neglect your evening routine and make sure you have enough hours of high-quality sleep every night!

Sometimes you don’t even realize that you don’t sleep well, even though you do enough hours. A tracker os some kind might be useful to take a peek into your nightly behavior. Personally, I use my little Fitbit bracelet to get fun and helpful insights on my sleeping patterns (and as a quiet alarm that doesn’t wake my husband, too).

There are plenty of ways to improve your sleep: from investing in a weighted blanket that keeps you from tossing and turning too much, to repeating bedtime affirmations that calm down your mind.

9. Set goals and achieve them

You shouldn’t define your worth by your accomplishments, but having a goal in mind at any given time is a healthy way to live happier.

A good goal gives you something to look forward to, daily motivation, something to talk about with other people, and a reason to get up in the morning. Taking consecutive steps toward your goal teaches you to be disciplined and consistent in your efforts, which is an important skill in life, no matter which direction you choose.

Finally, realizing that your dream has come true is a wonderful feeling that brings you into a state of intense joy, which is what happiness is all about.

You May Also Like: 270 Positive Quotes For Monday Motivation

10. Travel more

While traveling is not something you do every day (unless you are a digital nomad and profit from your passions!), every trip you sign up for creates a ton of happy memories.

At least for me, most favorite moments from the past are from my travels.

It doesn’t mean that you can’t be happy when you don’t travel and just stay at home every day. But it gives you something to look forward to, something special to experience, and something to remember for many years. Quite a few benefits, don’t you think?

Whether you choose to travel with friends, with your partner, or solo, each time you do it will add to your happiness. Of course, you still need to keep that positive mindset and see all the roadblocks as adventures, even if things don’t go as planned and you have to make a detour! Positive travel affirmations might help with that, as well as calm down your travel anxiety and set the intention for a safe and exciting trip.

So what’s stopping you? Book your next trip now or at least find a fun experience in your own city!

11. Keep learning new things

A happy life is one spent in learning, earning, and yearning.

Lillian Gish

It’s never too late to acquire a new skill or learn a new language! Even learning a fun fact about Mondays can give you something to talk about the next time a conversation with someone gets boring.

Learning opens your horizons, develops your brain, and helps you find new directions in life. If you wanna be happier, never stop learning new things!

12. Stay positive no matter what

It’s virtually impossible to feel happy every day when you are drowning yourself in negativity.

Yes, our world is not a perfect place to live in, and bad things happen sometimes, which is all the more reason to enjoy every moment and be grateful for all the good things you have.

Make an effort to look at the bright side in every situation, or at least learn your lesson and move on. Don’t complain when things don’t go your way: instead, try to fix it, or let it go if it’s out of your control. Beating yourself up for past mistakes only makes you unhappier.

If staying positive doesn’t come naturally to you, there are many helpful tools you can use. Start with my positivity prompts for journaling or jump into a free 7-day gratitude challenge that will totally make you appreciate life more.

You May Also Like: 100 Inspiring Quotes For Staying Positive In Tough Times

13. Make time for people who make you happy

Even though happiness comes from within, having a support system of good people who care about you makes it easier to feel happy every day. When you don’t have to deal with negative energy from naysayers you cut off in tip 3, there is suddenly space for positive connections in your life.

While it might be tempting to stay in your safe bubble at home and dedicate all the time to searching for how to be a happier person, you might as well go and feel the joy of being loved. Whether it’s going on a spontaneous road trip or laughing with your crazy friends, having a romantic date with your soulmate, or participating in a fun family activity, there is no arguing that other people can contribute to your daily happiness.

14. Allow yourself some self-care time

If the idea of putting yourself first brings lots of resistance and objections, it’s something you need to work on if you want to be happy every day. Being a people pleaser and neglecting your own dreams is a common reason for being unhappy.

When it comes to family, sayings like “happy wife = happy life” and “happy mom = happy kids” don’t come out of nowhere. You need to take good care of yourself first so you can take good care of your loved ones.

As religion tends to teach us to serve others, it’s understandable that it may feel wrong to put yourself first. However, there is nothing wrong with self-care, and it’s a crucial part of being a happy person.

Some days need more self-love and attention than others. For example, people often feel unhappy on a birthday or after particularly stressful life events. That’s the time when you need self-care the most.

See all self-care resources for happy life here

15. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

If I were to organize this list of things to do to make yourself happy according to their priority, keeping yourself healthy would probably be at the top. Only those who have never been sick can argue with this.

When you are dealing with an illness, being happy every day is out of the question. A disease, whether chronic or fleeting, deprives you of good emotions because you can’t physically do many joy-generating things, and it fills you with lots of negative feelings, especially when you are in pain. As we discussed at the beginning of this article, this is the direct opposite of what you need in order to be happy every day.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is critical for your daily happiness. So do everything you can to stay healthy: from building good habits to keeping a positive mindset in order to heal fast whenever you get sick.

See best tools and resources for daily happiness here

16. Try to be more present

Do you ever stop yourself in the middle of a routine activity just to appreciate the moment or to notice your surroundings?

As much as it seems crazy to believe in, studies show that we spend 95% of life on autopilot. If you have ever driven home and didn’t remember the details of the route, you likely experienced what’s called highway hypnosis. And it’s just one example.

If you spend a lot of time “in your head”, make a conscious effort to be more present, and to pay attention to the world around you. You might actually be missing out on some happy moments!

You May Also Like: 10 Mindful Monday Ideas To Improve Your Life

17. Spread positive vibes

I always add making someone smile to the list of things you should do everyday to be happy.

Whatever energy you emit into the world, is drawn back to you multiplied. When you show up with a cute smile on your face, you attract positive people and good events. Moreover, when the moment of joy comes, you let it in and enjoy it, as opposed to completely missing it while complaining or gossiping.

When you are angry and bitter, expect to be in the company of similar-tuned people.

Find your own way to spread positive vibes that makes you and others feel better. Whether it’s donating to charity, sending an uplifting quote to a friend who needs it, sharing a happy moment with a positive hashtag on social media, or something completely different, it’s up to you!

You May Also Like: 111 Best Good Vibes Quotes For Spreading Positivity

18. Keep your space clean and organized

There is a reason decluttering is so popular these days and books about cleaning the house become bestsellers. Keeping the areas you spend the most time in clean and pretty makes it easier for you to have clarity and avoid distractions.

Organize your workspace in a fun yet professional way, surround yourself with things that bring positive energy into the room, and you’ll notice that you feel more peaceful and content while being there.

19. Read inspiring books

If someone asks me how to be happy and motivated every day, reading is the first thing that comes to my mind as my favorite pastime. With millions of wonderful books already existing and dozens more good ones being published every year, you will always find a title or a genre that will make you happy.

An interesting book can take you places you could never even imagine! It’s a pretty cheap way of traveling and exploring other worlds full of adventures, magic, romance, mystery, or whatever else you enjoy. (Click here to see current bestsellers on Amazon)

And if you don’t have time for books, at least read some inspiring quotes!

Also Read: Best Books For Positive Life

20. Listen to inspiring stuff

Listening is easier than reading as it can be done in parallel with your usual routine tasks.

Let’s think about the things you can listen to every day to feel happier:

• Listening to music that makes you wanna dance can make you feel happy even when everything goes wrong.
• Listening to an inspiring podcast can inspire your own creativity.
• Listening to fun audiobooks on Audible or Scribd can make your day more interesting.

Sometimes, I even listen to Youtube videos in the background as most of the educational ones don’t really require watching. Find something you like listening to and let it bring you joy every day!

21. Feel grateful every day

Gratitude plays a big part in the pursuit of daily happiness. It teaches you to appreciate what you already have, and not take everything for granted.

With the attitude of gratitude, you don’t wait for something new to make you happy. Instead, you feel joy in the process while you are chasing your big dreams.

Add a habit of writing down a couple of things you are grateful for to your morning or evening routine, and you’ll be surprised by the number of things you have that deserve your thankfulness!

To get your ideas flowing, check out my alphabet of things to be grateful for!

You May Also Like: 10 Best Gratitude Journals With Prompts To Feel Grateful Everyday

22. Find reasons to smile daily

There are plenty of scientific reasons to smile, one of which basically says that smiling can make you happier. Make sure you have lots of things in your life that can make you smile, as they make it easier to get your daily dose of smiling that brings you closer to that desired happiness.

You May Also Like: 62 Never Stop Smiling Quotes To Keep Your Grin Up

Final thoughts on being happy every day

We learn from ‘happiness comes from within’ quotes that you don’t need external things to be happy. While it’s true and you can indeed be happy by yourself and without stuff, people and nice things in your life can still contribute to your daily happiness.

That’s why I also included spending time with your favorite people and buying things that bring you joy into this list. There is certainly more than one way how you can be happy every day, and I’m sure that doing a bunch of these things will make you happier!

Let me know in the comments which of these happiness tips you are planning to implement first!