It’s human nature to be happy all the time. But unfortunately, as humans, we also tend to be selfish. We always want more. More of everything seems to be the thing that drives us all the time. We are never content, never fulfilled, never really “happy”. No matter how much money or love we have, we always have this voice in the back of our mind, whispering to us that it is not enough. And the vicious cycle of suffering begins. This voice never leaves us, it keeps whispering to us that we want more—a job that pays even better, a house that is even bigger, more new clothes, the latest car or that latest iPhone that came this year, like every other year. We want it all.
The harsh truth is—living our lives just to be able to want more money, more fame, and more success all the time can be incredibly exhausting. Having too much of everything is always a bad thing. Even drinking too much water can have dire consequences. Everything in moderation is the key to happiness. We need to learn how to want less—by going against our selfish human nature, from time to time.
Simple Ways to Be Happy
- Stop Comparing Yourself to Other People
Often times we find ourselves trying to get something not because we “need” it but because we “want” it. And we come to this conclusion because we want that thing because someone already has it.
Nowadays, it is so easy to fall into the comparison complex. Ever since the advent of social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, we are always connected to each other 24/7. Someone might actually be in a good mood just enjoying their time playing a video game on a Saturday evening at home until they are on Facebook and see a post of their friend who is in Singapore on a vacation sipping his expensive wine, which leaves you devastated.
You need to realize that it’s okay to not have the latest iPhone that your friend just bought a week ago. You also need to realize that you are your own person. Why be like someone else, when there is not a single person in this world like you? So, try to compare yourself to your old self more than you compare yourself to other people, but make sure you do it in a healthy way.
- Think About Your Reasons to Want More
There is nothing wrong with trying to get better—as long as your reason to be better is a legitimate one. Maybe, the reason you want to get a new job is that you are absolutely miserable at your current job or maybe you want more money because the bills keep piling up and your job just can’t keep up with the bills. In such cases, these desires are actually healthy and motivating. And there is nothing wrong with that.
The problem arises when the only reason behind your “want” is that you just want it because someone has it. This kind of thinking is actually destructive. In such cases, you need to have a good look into the workings of your mind to come up with a reason to neutralize such irrational wants.
If your reasons are coming out because you do not feel content with your current situation, then pat yourself on the back because this means you want to do better in your life. Looking out for your “wants” can immensely save you from torturing yourself.
- Remind Yourself of The Things You Are Grateful for
This can be hard, especially for someone who has been running in circles in a vicious cycle of wanting more than they need. Some people might tell you to be happy with what you have. That is all good and dandy, but for some, it can be quite hard to do.
It is actually very simple to counteract such negative thoughts of ungratefulness and that is by thinking of things that you are grateful for. Every day, tell yourself the things that make you happy, even just a little bit—things that you take for granted. It can be your health, your house, your clothes or the food you eat. You need to realize not many people are in your situation. There are people who do not have a roof over their head, do not have family members who could give them love and affection, do not have good food to eat or clean water to drink. While you have all these necessities. Practicing gratefulness can help you come out of this vicious cycle of unhappiness.
In this day and age, learning to be happy does not come as naturally as it used to—it is a skill that needs to be refined as you go through your life. By using these simple ways, you can start living in the moment and be satisfied with the life that you have right now. Always remember, sometimes, you can have more by having less.