Being Happy: Part II

I can't believe it was over a year ago that I wrote this post "Being Happy..." I'm quite proud of that post, for once everything I wanted to say came out right. However since I wrote that post, a lot has changed. Back then my life was in a better place, and through no fault of my own, it's in quite a bad place right now. And I often find myself thinking about how I cope, day to day, and how I'm not completely depressed right now. If you want to read more about my current circumstances, you can in this post that I wrote at the end of the year, but I won't go into too much detail about everything that's going on in this post. As you'll probably notice I've also included some of my favourite quotes in this post.. Prepare for a ramble!

I always find that getting up is the hardest part of my day. When my alarm goes off and it's 5am (as if that's not bad enough) my first thought is usually why should I get up? What do I have to get up for? Yep I know that's really dark. But as I start getting ready for work, doing my usual routine of putting on my makeup in bed (it's cold okay!) whilst watching a YouTube video or two (usually the Sacconejoly's), my mood slowly improves. When I get to work my colleagues and I usually have a good chat before we start working, and because I am a people person this always lifts my mood. Once the morning is up I'm usually my happy self; it's just getting going that always takes a while and maybe a little more effort than it should do.

The thing is I know my mind. I know how to trick it into being happy, if you like. If there's the tiniest thing to look forward to, I'll focus on that. At work I'll think about it all day! Whether it's a meal out with my friends, writing a new blog post or my favourite tv programme. I'll just keep thinking about that and I'm all excited and happy! I really make sure I enjoy the little things, whether that be a cup of tea, beautiful weather or even a good hair day. I'll enjoy things as much as I can.

 

When I step back and look at my life, I honestly feel a bit sick. I'm a graduate with a really good degree, but I'm essentially in a really crappy job, which is really not what I wanted. I'm single and although I've been on some dates, men just keep letting me down and I'm really trying my best to not lose faith in them. This time last year I was excitedly planning my three month trip to America, but this year I doubt I'll even go on a holiday. Then of course the worst thing, my mum being so ill is just heartbreaking. So I don't really know how I'm still going and still happy(ish) but that's really what I'm trying to fathom with this post. Sometimes it really does help just to ramble and write things down, and as I say with many of my posts is that I would like to look back on this someday. 

I think the key to my happiness is that I'm a positive person. Whenever someone moans about something trivial or whatever I always try and make light of the situation; I offer positive reinforcement, which is essentially what I do with myself. I am also a hopeless romantic, which I am well aware of is a dangerous game to play, but I can't help but think that everything happens for a reason and that it will all work out in some weird way. I think this really helps me, as if I didn't believe this, then I'd really feel like shit to put it honestly. I just really hope that I don't lose my positive attitude and this belief as I get older, as that's a scary thing. 

I think blogging really helps me too. I love that this is something productive that I'm doing with my life, and I actually count three hours of blogging in the evening after work as chill time! I love it that much. There's always new people to talk to too, blogging is so sociable. I love taking photos and making them look pretty, writing about things that inspire me and reading about what others are loving. I love it all. And you've all really helped me, just by reading my posts and commenting, that makes my day, and gives me reason to carry on writing. So thank you so much.

I'm sorry if this post was a bit much for some of you, but I pride myself on being honest in this blog, and it really is like a diary of my life for me.

What makes you happy? How do you keep going when life get's hard?

*The Grand Canyon photos are my own but all quotes I found on Instagram and I take no credit for.

Being Happy...

I know this is a bit of a random subject, but it's just something I've felt like writing for a while and I'm feeling philosophical :). This isn't a post on "how to be happy" I'm no expert on that! But I just though I'd write about what I feel about happiness. After all, life is about being happy, right?! 

Being happy, it sounds so simple. But I know for many people it's not. Different things make us happy, whether it's the big things in life, or all the simple, little things that all add up to make our lives what they are. I know when I was younger, in my teenage years, sometimes I just felt I struggled to be happy. I wouldn't go as far as saying I was depressed, but I think you're teenage years are a very confusing time; you're riddled with hormones, you don't really know who you are and you're under a lot of pressure to be and look a certain way. If you're in this position, I think you just have to remember that you're situation is not permanent, things will change and get better and those people who put you down will most likely end up being losers later on in life. Horrible people have very few true friends remember.

As I got older I just seemed to wake up feeling happy more often. I'm not sure what changed to be honest, my confidence has improved a lot and I know that if I want something in life then I just need to go out and get it. I've also learnt not too worry too much, things do have a way of working out. I also do try to believe everything happens for a reason. If your boyfriend breaks up with you, just try to think that he wasn't the one. Obviously you don't just get over someone in a day, but it does help to stay positive. 

There are some things in my life that are big and scary, and could get worse anytime soon, and although sometimes I do get really upset about the situation, I try not to panic and live every day being happy. Even if it just means watching your favourite tv programme at the end of a long hard day, if it's something that you can look forward to and will make you happy, then do it. 

I think self confidence does determine a huge amount of how happy we are, of course along with having a loving and supporting set of family and friends. If you are confident you do feel like you can take anything life throws at you. Confidence is something I'm still working on. It's important to love your family and not take them for granted, as they are truly the only people in your life that you know will stick around. As for friends, I find it's better to have a small group of close friends, rather than a large group of extended friends. I know my friends will always be there for me when I need them, and I can honestly see us still being friends when we are old biddies. 

Appreciate the little things in life. That's where I think happiness lies. Take everything a day at a time and try not to overthink things. It will work out :).  Always have hope, even when things are looking really dark. Get rid of the negative things in your life, if they are bringing you down you don't need them. Whether that be a job or a boyfriend or anything else. Look after your body too, that will give you confidence. Hold your head high, you're just as important as anyone else. Embrace what you have and remind yourself what you're good at and what makes you, you. Be the best version of you, not a poor copy of someone else. Everyone has down days when you just don't want to get out of bed. This is normal and sometimes it's just your body's hormones reaping havoc. Do what makes you happy, even if that means taking a risk, you'll only regret it if you don't. 

Being independent can make you happy, I took a risk when I went to uni, I was terrified but I went out there, completely out of my comfort zone, I used to be terrified of getting the bus alone but I got on the train to the nearest shopping centre and went out there and got myself a job. I felt proud of myself for doing something that scared me.  

I'm sorry if this post was a bit deep for some of you, but I want my blog to be honest and have some depth to it for those who need help. It's also quite a reflective post on my part too, as I think some of the things I've mentioned I've managed to overcome in the last couple of years. I promise my next post will be nice and light ;).

Becca 

xx