3 Ways to Create Your Own Happiness

Life can be strange.

The older we get our priorities change.

Things that I may have thought were cool when I was younger now leave me cringing at the thought. When you’re 34 telling people about the time you beer bonged 6 beers in college, it doesn’t really hit the same way.

Things that we thought were important no longer get us out of bed anymore. Chasing fame, fortune, and praise from your peers fade away. Feeling like you contributed to a cause, making memories with family, and laughing with friends rank higher as time goes by. Even though I could go without another people’s elbow to the head from my 8 year old niece, I wouldn’t wouldn’t choose to wind back the clock.

Isn’t it sill thinking about the things that we used to care about? Like how much you could bench press (or how little in my case) or how sick of a flex it is that you got a new smartphone. I might be alone here but I constantly groan and plant my face in my hands when thinking of these silly things. Priorities changing and life moving along pretty fast is part of growing up. It’s a strange, beautiful, and exciting thing.

Where did these wrinkles around my eyes come from? I swear they weren’t there yesterday.

If weren’t not focused on all the new, wonderful parts of life. I know our first well-earned wrinkles, new aches, and wiping baby’s butts aren’t on our bucket list, there are plenty of things to be thankful for. As we are moving on to another stage of life and into becoming full functioning adults what are the things that will keep us flying high?

#1 Find or Create a Community

We all have hobbies or interests. Whether it is Game of Thrones, a favorite football team, or live music we all have something we enjoy. There has to be other people around us who enjoy similar things. Loneliness is a silent killer so to make sure it doesn’t sneak up on you.

Get a community together around your favorite things.

Hit up the neighborhood for a brisk walk and Pokemon Go every Sunday afternoon or catch the latest episode of Rings of Power. Whatever it is this will make life so much more entertaining. While they may not be raging parties like before there will be memories worth making. I’ve found myself isolating more than before covid times and my gut tells me the rest of the world has too.

We all watch Netflix or play video games at home alone in our sick setups. Don’t get me wrong, I love chilling too but looking back aren’t our best memories made with friends? I’m sure it has to be anxiety inducing to get back out there but aren’t the memories to be made worth it?

#2 Go on Solo Dates

You know that hike you’ve wanted to do? The one that will take around 3 hours on a Saturday that no one wants to go on. Go do it by yourself. Single or not, learning to go out on your own is a clutch skill that will make life boundless. You no longer have to wait for anyone to go with you to see that movie or hit up that new restaurant. You get to just go!

Once we realize we can do these things alone the world becomes a place to explore with or without company. You get to fill up your life with things you love even if no one is around to enjoy them with you. And more than likely you will make some new friends or acquaintances along the way.

#3 Go After Something that Excites and Scares You

You know that thing that you always wanted to do as a kid?

Going to Paris. Painting the next Picasso. Writing a book. Being a burlesque dancer or the next drag queen.

Set a goal to do it!

Maybe you suck at painting?

Who cares!

That’s not the point. The point is trying to do something fun that makes you come alive. Even if you fail you will have an absolute blast along the way. And you will be surprised what comes out of trying. So sign up for a class to learn that second language, make a plan to go on that vacation, and pack your bags and go. Life can come at you pretty fast so we might as well try to do something that gives it a little pizzaz and our own flare.

I’m traveling the world and exploring places and meeting amazing people. I want to write stories, make movies, and create. I want to take more improv classes and become a better swing dancer.

What are you going to do?