How to Make Yourself Happy
No-one is seriously ill, no-one has lost their job, no-one's relationship is breaking down. But it's still a really shitty day.Dog poo on the floor, teething kids, a headache or PMS, a messy kitchen, piles of laundry and just a bad. freaking. mood.You know the ones, right? It's not just me, is it?Yesterday morning, as I felt the urge to shout at the kids (unfairly - they're just being kids), to rant and rave at Sparky (unfairly - the man is a gem) and to write it off as a bad day before I'd even had breakfast, I found myself stopping.
"Surely the day isn't destined to crappiness? Surely I can do something about this horrible, cranky feeling that's welling up? Surely there is a way to make yourself happy?"
So I decided I would turn my day around. And here are three simple tips to help you make yourself happy:
1. Music Soothes the Savage Beast
What song makes you really, overwhelmingly happy every time you listen to it? It can be stupid, or make you want to dance or sing at the top of your lungs. Whatever it is, listen to it. Let it shift that crankiness from your mind. Even just a little bit.For me, it's Girls by the Beastie Boys (RIP, MCA).
2. Do Something
We all have endless lists of things to do. Sometimes that feeling overwhelms us and contributes to our overall shittiness by making us feel like there is no point. Why bother starting when the work keeps piling up?Instead, force yourself to do something. Just one thing. Do that load of washing. Make that phone call. Pick up that dog poo. (No, seriously. Pick up that dog poo. Someone's going to step in it and squash it into the carpet.)And once that thing is done, allow yourself five seconds to celebrate. You just had a win!Shitty Day = 0 You = 1
3. Tell Yourself that Today is Going to be a Good Day
Say it out loud. Say it while standing in front of the mirror. Say it in a ridiculous accent. I don't know why, but it helps. These three things worked in turning my bad day around. And, while it wasn't all sparkles and unicorns, it was a hell of a lot better than crying into my coffee at 9am. If, however, these three tips fail you, it's always helpful to go back and read the first paragraph of this post.
Do you think you can turn a bad day around? What do you do to fake your happiness until the real deal takes over? And what's your favourite happy song?