Life is hard but you know what? You are an amazing person. I don't care who you are, what you went through, or how much money you don't have. Nobody has a perfect life, but it doesn't make you any less awesome. It may seem that some have it better than others but there is always something that makes their life imperfect. Everyone has something in common and it's happiness. Some have it some don't but, people, its free! Everyone has unlimited access to it! It's how YOU choose to act and live and the choices you make and who you decide to listen to or not listen to is what effects your happiness. The only person you should be listening to is yourself. You know deep down what or who is important to you. Some may think it's too hard but guess who is telling you it's too hard? You are. If other people are putting you into a crappy situation, then you are feeding into it and you're choosing to listen. Don't let outside influences change what you believe unless you truly believe it yourself. Let me repeat that, it's your life YOU CHOOSE how to feel. It's extremely easy to let people get into your brain, but they can't control it. Let that sink in.

I have always been an easy-going person. I don't let things get to me often and that's just my personality. I completely understand that type of thinking is not for everyone. I understand it's harder to get over things and letting things go is very difficult for some and not for others. What I am going to talk about is for everyone. Everyone can practice these tips for a healthier, happier, life. It doesn't matter how old you are, where you live, or how much money you have because everyone has their own mind, their own thoughts, their own beliefs and you can use these tips in whichever way works best for, you guessed it, you.

Appreciate what you have. This is so important. It is so easy to get caught up in what you don't have, what you want, what you think you need. Stop it. Stop it RIGHT NOW! Sulking in your sorrow is only going to pull you down and make you think about it even more and put you in a bad mood. This is about feeling happy. Why put yourself in the position to even allow it? I understand about intrusive thoughts. With each child I have had it's gotten even worse but if you really try, if something negative pops in your head you can control it. It's your brain, you can think about whatever you want just change the subject. I'm not going to say that it won't creep back in there. I get it, it does and I'm not telling you to bury your problems, you need to deal with your problems, I am saying don't let your problems control you and your happiness. If you feel like there is nothing to be grateful for start small. Be thankful that you didn't run out of your favorite cereal this morning, be thankful that you have a couple extra dollars to buy yourself a coffee, be thankful that you had a full night's sleep, be thankful that it's the weekend so no school tomorrow. Find 5 things that you are thankful for and just be thankful and smile about it. It's better than thinking about things that make you sad am I right? I am thankful for my kids, my house, my van, being a stay-at-home mom, and my husband. I could go on and on about how my kids fight with each other, I don't live in my dream house, my van is just horrible, I get so lonely and make no money being a stay-at-home mom, and my husband stresses me out, but I am grateful for those things, the good and the bad parts. I would rather have all of it then none of it.

Meditate. I never really understood meditation. I never really tried to understand either. Until recently when I realized that I could be a better version of myself, and I just needed to figure out how is when I came across meditation. I figured why not just give it a try. So, I did, and I love it. I feel like it has helped me stay calm and focused. I am no guru, trust me, but I try to get in 15-30 minutes a day. When my toddler goes down for a nap, I just google meditation and pick one. I had a few upcoming blogs tossed around in my head but not really knowing what I wanted to say. For some reason this one just came to me today so as soon as my meditation was over, I got my laptop out and the words just started flowing. I needed that mental break, and it was only 15 minutes but successful.

Exercise. This one is tough. If you are not into exercising or physically unable to or think you don't have the time, then you're not going to want to tackle this one. Exercise gets those happy hormones moving through your body so once again start small, go on a daily walk or dance in the living room with you kids for 15 minutes. Your body will like it and crave more. Ever heard of runners high? It's a real thing. I used to be addicted to it when I was younger because I would just feel so good. Everything around me was more vivid and beautiful. Yesterday I did my first strength training session in years. I HATED it. I wanted to quit, and it was only 30 minutes. I told myself it's the first one and I will let myself quit at 20 minutes, but by the time I got to that point it wasn't so bad, and before I knew it, I completed the whole workout. Even if we hate exercising our bodies love it.

Positive affirmations are another new one for me but has helped tremendously. When you repeat things over and over in your head it actually trains your brain to think that way. Looking back without even realizing it I did this to myself unknowingly. This is why it's so important to say positive things. You want to improve your career? Tell yourself that your're confident, you are successful, you have everything you need within you to succeed. You want to be happy? Tell yourself you are happy, you are healthy, you love your life and everything in it. You want to be healthy? Tell yourself you are healthy, you make healthy food choices, you love to work out, you will look amazing in a bikini this summer. Even if you don't believe it right now the more you say it the easier it will get and the more real it will be. You keep telling yourself that you're sad, you hate your life, you are fat, you have a horrible job, nobody likes you, your brain is going to go along with it and how can you be happy with thoughts like that? Before I became addicted to exercise in my 20's I would constantly say how fat I was, well guess what? I was overweight. As soon as I changed my mind set and I started to workout, which was hard in the beginning because it always is, I would tell myself as I jogged over and over. I am skinny, I am losing weight, I am beautiful, I'm not fat anymore. I actually sang it like a chant and that's when I became the most fit that I ever was in my life.

Do what makes you happy. Surprisingly this seems like a no brainer, but this is new to me as well. I was so concerned about making everyone else happy and living in my "mom life" that I had no idea what even made me happy anymore. I used to have a bunch of hobbies that I have no time for now. It's like I'm just a mom. It took me a while, but once I really gave myself the time think it over, everything just came flowing back to me. I still may not have time to do everything that I enjoy like skiing, horseback riding or traveling but I realized that I do still like those things, and I can work them in to my busy schedule occasionally. I forgot that I like to read. I have read more books these last couple months than I have the last decade. I like it when my toes are painted so I have been keeping up with making my toes look pretty. For you it could be picking up that guitar that you thought you lost time for, teaching your kids how to play hackey sack (on my to do list) because you were awesome at it back in the day, learn a couple tik tok dances because you used to love dancing. It doesn't have to cost money and it doesn't have to take up a lot of time it just has to feel good.

Talk to someone. It's never good to keep it all in. Talk to a therapist, an aunt, your best friend, the lady doing your nails because you don't have to worry about her telling everyone you know. Do what you got to do, just don't keep it in. Any time I had a problem and kept it to myself, after I let it out, it didn't change the problem one bit, but I felt better. This is all about feeling happy so give it a try.

I know not everyone is going to believe me. I'm not saying this will magically fix all your problems but if you feel like you're struggling or lost, or just down in the dumps why not just give it a try. You already realized that you need to make a change. Commit to it. Wouldn't it be better than continuing feeling the way you feel right now. I realized I needed to make a change. I decided to try these things to make myself feel better. I am not perfect, and I have bad days just like everyone else, but I choose to laugh it off instead of cry because I want to be happy. Nobody can do this for you. It's all on you.

Feeling a little stuck or lost and know that you could be living a happier life? Here are some helpful tips for you to try!