Let’s start by acknowledging that life has its ups and downs. Things aren’t always consistent: people move and some stay, people get promotions while others get fired, people get together, or perhaps they breakup, opportunities come and then pass us by just as quick. That doesn’t mean you can’t take where you are in your present situation and find the good within that. Sometimes, we just need a little motivation to make the changes necessary for us to be happy.
We all want contentment, so here are 10 questions you need to ask yourself to know if you’re truly happy with where you are in life:
1. Do you often find yourself wanting more?
To be truly content with your life at any stage, you must learn to work for higher goals while still accepting what you currently have. Welcome more, but don’t covet it.
2. Are you a perfectionist?
Though striving for the best is good motivation, setting a bar for “perfection” will set you up for failure, and inevitably leave you unhappy with your current situation.
3. Did you work your hardest to get to the point at which you are right now?
A trick to being happy is to be able to look back and realize that everything in front of you is a result of hard work you did. If this isn’t the case, it’s never too late! Work hard today, and you’ll reap the benefits tomorrow (even if it’s just coming home to a clean house).
4. Do you have an end goal, and are you actively on the path to achieving it?
Having a goal and desiring more are two different concepts. If you’re actively on the path to achieving a goal, you’ll feel much more satisfied with every advancement you make, and therefore happy with every little difference…no matter how small.
5. Do you give yourself just as much time to relax as you do work?
Stressing yourself out with work is a good way to spiral into dissatisfaction with your life. Remember to take time every day to unwind and reflect, and do something good for yourself.
6. If you were to meet yourself from someone else’s perspective, would you be friends with you?
It’s hard to see yourself from someone else’s shoes, but take a step back. Are you selfish? Are you a good friend? Would you trust yourself with secrets and always stay reliable? Reassurance (or adjusting to make yourself someone you’d associate with) are great ways to be happy with your current situation.
7. Can you accept that not everything is static, and welcome change?
Some people are unhappy because they’re too comfortable. Change is inevitable, and though change can often be small, you need to be able to accept everything life throws at you.
8. Do you EVER sit back and praise yourself for your accomplishments?
How can you be happy with how far you’ve come if you never acknowledge the good you’ve done? Don’t wait for someone else to reward you, reward yourself from time to time!
9. Do you laugh more than you cry?
This may sound obvious, but sometimes we don’t even realize that we’re overcome with negative emotion until there’s a profound absence of it. Remember to allow more things in your life that will make you laugh or smile to override the few things that are bound to make you cry.
10. If your life were to remain the way it is right now, forever, would you be able to stand it?
Things. Will. Change. BUT this is the ultimate test to see if you’re content with your current situation. This is the product of all the previous questions. If you answer yes to this, then you’re ready for anything life throws your way. If you answer no, it’s time to make some changes in your life that will help you grow as a person and allow you an opportunity to be comfortable with your place in the world.
Happiness is something we have to learn to welcome into our lives, we can’t expect it. That’s the problem we often face – expecting happiness to come without any effort of our own. Life is about perspective. All of these questions can have positive answers regardless of your current situation, as long as you have the proper perspective and outlook on life. Sometimes, all we need is a little attitude adjustment. I know I do. Choose to be happy, my friends.
Featured image via Brett Sayles on Pexels
