How to Find Happiness in Your Day to Day Life

By: Mireya Perez

We all have had days worse than others. In some cases, those bad days turn into weeks, months, or years. I have learned a thing about times like this while being in college, and the key is not trying to be happy but to search for tiny bits of joy in the things you do every day. How? There is a key, but it won’t open every door. Keep in mind that what works for me might not be for you.

Make changes to your routine

Now don’t worry, these don’t have to be big changes. I’m not here to tell you to become a morning person or that yoga is the solution to all your problems. Try simple changes like going to bed earlier or getting ready in a different order in the morning. I personally like to change my taste in music. You probably have a favorite artist or genre on repeat lately. I used to love rock, but I realized a great amount of the music I was listening to wasn’t exactly helping my mood. 

Sometimes we like to drown in our own misery with the help of a sad song, but face it, there’s a big chance lyrics about how sad life is won’t do much to help your mood. They’re fine for a gloomy day or two but, in the long run, what we listen to affects our brains in many ways. There is something called rumination, continually thinking over negative things, and studies have shown that listening to sad tracks on repeat could have a similar effect as if you were saying these things to yourself over and over.

It can be hard to control the thoughts that go through our minds, but deciding what we listen to can be as simple as the click of a button. Even if it’s not your case, try exploring different kinds of music. Not only genres; research music in other languages, look for artists you’ve never heard of, hit up some already made playlists. Feed your mind with different ideas. Challenge your taste and listen with an open heart.

Pay attention to details

It really is the little things that count. The lady at the cafeteria by my house always puts cinnamon over the coffee foam. The air seems fresher on my way to school, surrounded by trees than it does in the city. Take a deep look at everything. There are hidden colors and sentences written in the air for you to find, and you might discover what seems like a triviality can make you happy too. They are little reminders that life is more than it seems at first sight.

Take your time

Finding a hobby is a great way to spend your free time and do something for yourself. When you feel like you have some energy to get things done, get back to doing what you love whether it’s reading, painting, dancing, etc. I promise it’ll feel rewarding.

If you still feel like you don’t have time to do any of this, remember, life does not have a deadline. If you’re in college, you might feel like me. I tend to get really anxious about this concept we all seem to live by that, by a certain age, you are expected to graduate, get a job, grow up.

However, there is no need to do things in a certain order. Chances are you won’t do everything that’s expected from you because you are your own person with your own hobbies, likings, anxieties, and preferences. With your own way of managing your lifetime and experiences.

So, next time you feel like doing something you love or trying something new, take some time for it. Even if it’s just five minutes. There’s enough time in a day for you. Even if those five minutes turn into days, weeks, or months, you’re not losing time. Take what you need.