9 No Bullsh*t Steps to Take Control of Your Life and Be Happy (Stop Struggling & Start Smiling)

Are you ready to take control of your life and be happy? We all want to be truly content with our lives, but it can be hard to know where to start.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination, and learning how to take control of your life and be happy is an important part of any successful life plan.

In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of how to achieve true happiness by recognizing the need for change, improving mental health and self-confidence, and nurturing relationships.

Read on to learn more about how you can take charge of your own happiness!

What is Happiness?

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

Happiness is something that everyone strives for in life, but it’s not always easy to define.

Happiness can mean different things to different people, but at its core happiness simply means feeling content and fulfilled with your life.

It involves having positive relationships, engaging in activities that bring joy and satisfaction, and being able to cope with the stress of daily life.

Happiness is not just about material possessions or a certain level of success; it’s more about appreciating what you have and learning to love yourself.

Everyone has their own unique journey towards happiness, so take time to figure out what works best for you!

Recognizing the Need for Change

Sometimes, in order to be happy, we need to take control of our lives and make changes.

Life can feel overwhelming when things don’t seem to be going our way, so recognizing the need for change is an important step.

Take time to reflect on what areas of your life could use some improvement.

Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed with work or school and need more balance in your life.

Or maybe you’ve been neglecting your mental or physical health and it’s time for a change.

Acknowledge that something needs to be different and start making small changes that will bring positive results.

Start by setting achievable goals and focus on taking one step at a time towards achieving them.

Taking control of your life doesn’t have to be daunting; it can be empowering!

When you start making small changes consistently, you’ll soon notice a shift in how you feel.

Celebrate each milestone as it comes and take comfort in knowing that you are capable of creating the life you want!

The 9 Essential Steps to Take Control of Your Life and Be Happy

Take control of your life and be happy! It doesn’t have to be an intimidating process.

Start by taking small steps towards creating the life you want. Spend time each day doing something that makes you feel good, such as exercising, reading or listening to music.

Make sure to get plenty of sleep so that you can tackle any challenges with energy and enthusiasm.

Don’t forget to make time for yourself in nature, as spending some time in green spaces can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

Surround yourself with positive people who support you and your goals.

If a situation arises where someone is bringing down your mood, limit contact with them or practice mindfulness when interacting with them.

Remember that it’s ok to say no and take time for yourself if needed!

Finally, let go of bad habits or anything that doesn’t bring joy into your life. Instead focus on building healthy relationships, being kind to yourself and others, and making the most out of every day!

Taking control of your life can seem daunting at first but it will definitely bring rewards in the form of happiness in life!

Now, let’s dive into the 9 specific things you can do to achieve your life goals starting today:

1. Spend Time Doing Things You Enjoy

Spending time doing things you enjoy is a great way to boost your happiness and take control of your life.

It’s easy to get caught up in our routines and forget to make time for the activities that bring us joy.

However, adding even just a few minutes each day can make a huge difference!

Start by making a list of things you love doing. It could be anything from playing an instrument, going on walks with friends, painting or reading a good book.

Once you have your list, pick one activity and commit to it each day – even if it’s just for 10 minutes! This will help build your confidence as well as increase your sense of accomplishment when you stick to it.

If there are more activities that you want to do but can’t fit into your schedule, find ways to challenge yourself in other areas.

For example, if you like cooking, experiment with different recipes or try new ingredients once in a while.

Spending time doing things that bring us joy is an important part of taking control of our lives and creating a happier life for ourselves!

2. Improve Your Mental Health & Self-Confidence

Improving your mental health and self-confidence is key to taking control of your life and being happy.

It’s not always easy to do, but there are some simple steps you can take that will make a big difference.

Start by taking care of yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough hours of sleep, eating healthy meals, and exercising regularly.

This will help combat feelings of anxiety and give you the energy to tackle the day.

If stress or bad news is causing too much anxiety, try deep breathing exercises or finding a quiet space away from screens for some peace and quiet.

Make sure you have healthy relationships in your life as well – whether it’s with friends, family members or even yourself.

Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself and who value you for who you are – this will help build up your self-confidence in no time!

Finally, set goals for yourself that are achievable yet challenging, so that when you achieve them it will help boost your self-esteem even more.

Whether it’s reading one new book each month or going to the gym three times a week – setting goals for yourself can be very rewarding!

By following these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to improving your mental health and self-confidence – two things essential for taking control of your life and being happy!

3. Stop Complaining

Complaining is something that almost all of us do from time to time, but it can be incredibly damaging to our mental health and overall happiness.

It’s easy to get stuck in a negative cycle of complaining about everything and everyone, but there are a few simple steps you can take to break out of it.

First, recognize when you’re complaining. This can be hard at first, especially if it’s become such a habit that you don’t even realize you’re doing it!

And when you catch yourself doing it, try to find the source of your frustration or unhappiness instead of just grumbling about it.

Complaining is terrible for you… Steeping yourself in negativity has seriously terrible consequences for your mental and physical health.

Inc. Magazine

Maybe there’s something specific that needs to be changed or addressed – focus on that instead of just complaining.

Second, turn your complaints into positive action. If there’s something specific that’s bothering you, figure out what steps you need to take in order to address the issue or change the situation.

That could mean being proactive and making small changes like reaching out for help or taking initiative on a project; or maybe even bigger things like making an effort to learn something new or trying out a new hobby!

Finally, practice gratitude every day. Complaining often comes from feeling like we don’t have enough – so remind yourself daily about all the wonderful things in life that make up for any hardships we may encounter.

Be thankful for what we have rather than constantly wishing for more!

By following these tips and breaking ourselves out of our negative cycles of complaining, we’ll be setting ourselves up for success and equipping ourselves with the tools necessary for taking control of our lives and leading happier ones!

4. Use Positive Affirmations

Positive affirmations are a powerful tool that can help us take control of our lives and move towards a happier state.

Affirmations are short, positive statements that we say to ourselves in order to help us focus on what we want instead of on the negative aspects of life.

They’re like little reminders that help us stay focused on our goals and live with intention.

Using positive affirmations can be especially helpful when we’re feeling down or overwhelmed by everyday life.

It’s easy to get caught up in negative thinking, but affirmations can help keep our minds focused on the things we do want instead.

Saying affirmations out loud is especially effective; it helps us really put the idea into action, which makes it easier for us to make positive changes in our lives.

When using affirmations, it’s important to use language that resonates with you personally.

Instead of saying something generic like “I am strong,” try something more specific like “I am strong enough to overcome this challenge.”

This way, you’ll be more likely to believe yourself and take action! And don’t forget – repetition is key!

The more you say your affirmation, the more likely it is to stick with you and become part of your daily life routine. So start today – take control of your life and use positive affirmations!

Top 5 Highly Effective Positive Affirmations

• I am strong and capable of achieving my goals.
• I am surrounded by love and support from those around me.
• I have the power to make positive changes in my life.
• I choose to focus on the good aspects of life and be grateful for all that I have.
• I am enough, just as I am. No one can take away my self-worth or diminish my capabilities.

5. Learn to Follow Your Intuition

We all have an inner voice that guides us, but sometimes it can be difficult to listen to it.

Our intuition is like a compass – it points us in the right direction, but if we don’t follow it we can end up lost and confused.

Learning how to listen to our intuition and trust ourselves is key to taking control of our lives and living a more fulfilling life.

The best way to learn how to follow your intuition is by taking time to get quiet and still every day.

This could mean meditating or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts.

As you do this, pay attention to any feelings or ideas that come up – these are often signs from your intuition guiding you.

Once you become aware of these feelings, make a conscious effort to act on them when they arise. Over time, this will help you become more in tune with yourself and take control of your own life choices.

You can also try journaling as a way of getting in touch with your intuition.

Writing down whatever comes up without judgment or censorship will help you access deeper parts of yourself that are often ignored or forgotten about in everyday life.

Plus, writing things down helps make them tangible so you can start taking action towards achieving your goals!

Following our intuition is an essential part of being happy and fulfilled in life, so make sure you take the time each day for self-reflection and contemplation!

6. Overthinking Kills Happiness

Overthinking can be a dangerous trap to fall into. It’s easy to get caught up in our own thoughts and worry about things that may never come to pass.

Not only does this make us feel anxious, but it also inhibits our ability to enjoy life and find true happiness.

The truth is, overthinking stops us from living in the present moment.

We become so focused on worrying about the future or ruminating on the past that we forget to appreciate what’s happening around us.

This can lead to feelings of unhappiness and discontentment with life.

The key to avoiding overthinking is becoming aware of your thoughts and recognizing when you’re stuck in a loop of worry or anxiety.

When this happens, take some deep breaths and focus on something else—like going for a walk outside or talking with a friend.

Releasing yourself from the clutches of your own mind can help you reconnect with yourself and find joy in the everyday moments of life.

Remember, overthinking kills happiness!

The more you practice being mindful and present, the easier it will become to find peace within yourself and stop letting your own thoughts hold you back from living a happy life.

7. Nurture Your Friendships

We all need quality relationships in our lives. Friendships can provide us with a sense of belonging, support us through difficult times, and give us someone to have fun with.

That’s why it’s important to take the time to nurture your friendships and make sure your relationships are healthy and strong.

One way to do this is by taking the time to invest in your friendships. Make sure you’re checking in with friends on a regular basis and spending quality time together.

This could be as simple as scheduling weekly phone dates or planning a weekend getaway together.

Another way to nurture your friendships is by actively listening when you’re having conversations with your friends.

Showing genuine interest in what they have to say helps build trust and strengthens bonds between people.

And don’t forget about small gestures like writing a thank-you note or sending them an unexpected gift—these kind acts show your appreciation for all they do for you, too!

Finally, remember that true friendship isn’t one-sided—it takes effort from both parties to maintain it over time.

So if you’re feeling disconnected from your friends, reach out and see how you can work together to strengthen the bond between you two!

8. Stop Wanting to Control Everything

Do you sometimes find yourself trying to control every aspect of your life? If so, it’s time to take a step back and learn how to let go.

It can be hard but it’s necessary if you want to live happily and healthily.

Start by recognizing that there are some things in life that are simply out of our control—no matter how hard we try, there are some events we just can’t change or make happen.

When we accept this, we can start to feel more relaxed about the future and less anxious about what might come next.

Another way to stop wanting to control everything is by focusing on what you can do instead. Instead of worrying about what’s out of your hands, focus on the things within your power and use them for good.

This could mean taking up a new hobby or volunteering for a cause you care about—it’s an empowering way to move forward with your life!

Finally, practice self-care whenever possible. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep and physical activity while also engaging in activities that bring joy into your life like spending time outdoors or reading a book.

These simple acts will help you stay calm when faced with uncertainty and remind you that life doesn’t have to be so tightly controlled all the time.

9. Be Thankful for What You Have in Life

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to be thankful for what we have.

But taking time each day to appreciate all the positive aspects of your life can have a huge impact on your happiness and mental health.

Start by writing down three things you are grateful for each morning before you start your day.

This simple act will help you focus on the positives instead of the negatives, which can give you an extra boost of motivation when it comes to tackling tasks throughout the day.

Another way to stay thankful is by reaching out to those around you and showing appreciation for their presence in your life.

Whether it’s sending a friend a text message or giving someone a sincere compliment, these small acts of kindness can make all the difference in how we view ourselves and our lives.

Finally, don’t forget to take some time out of each day just for yourself!

Spend some quality time engaging in activities that bring joy into your life—whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or sitting down with some hot tea—these moments will remind us how lucky we are to have such wonderful people in our lives.

So make sure that every day is filled with thanksgiving for all that we have been blessed with!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, taking control of your life and being happy is all about making small changes that can have a big impact.

Remember to be thankful for what you have, reach out to those around you, and take some time each day to focus on yourself.

With these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a happier, healthier life for yourself!