Who doesn’t want an easy, happy and simple life?
- You’ve tried desperately to make it so but fail every time.
- You’re just not sure what you are doing wrong.
- You smile at strangers, you go to work as happy as you possibly can manage, you don’t let your neighbour get on your last nerve but no matter what...
... and at the end of the day, you’re still frustrated and pissed off by the events of the day. Things piled up. Some things went terribly wrong and some things were just plain shitty. Just like yesterday.
Why can’t this life be easier? What is the magic or the secret to making it happier and simpler? The lady next door might have all the answers as she always appears to be smiling and chipper.
Life doesn’t have to be so hard, ever. I get that we do go through some traumas and stresses that can throw a wrench into our happy colorful worlds. Aside from those events, life really is a beautiful thing and should be easy, carefree and full of love and happiness.
So why isn’t it then? The answers might surprise you. Remember that saying “It’s all in your head?” Well, it is. For the most part.
Let’s have a look at 11 of the ways you might be making your life harder.
After that, it’s up to you to change your ways.
1. Getting worked up over nothing.
Quite often, we get upset over things that haven’t even happened yet. Why on earth we do this is beyond me.
We go over all the possible what ifs in our heads and end up upset, scared or just plain angry. Let things be. Stop trying to solve a problem before it’s even a problem.
2. Don’t be so sensitive.
This one is a toughie. A lot of us are highly sensitive and that’s all we know. Trying to lighten our sensitivity load can be somewhat difficult, but if you do you will see that no one is trying to deliberately hurt you (as most sensitive people fear).
3. Look at both sides.
When we get into an argument, we always think we’re right. We should win this one. They don’t know what they are talking about anyway.
When you step away from the argument and have a sincere look at both sides, you will be able to **understand where your opponent is coming from and perhaps handle the situation a little more diplomatically
.**
4. Keeping up with the Jones’ is ridiculous.
Who cares what they bought last weekend? So what if they got a 60” TV and a kick ass satellite dish. Good for them.
Did you know there are people in the world that only have 19” TVs and they are perfectly content? Can you even imagine?
Stop concerning yourself with what the neighbours are doing or buying and stop trying to keep up to them. It’s ridiculous. Be happy with what you have. You are richer than you think.
5. Traffic jams can be fun.
Yes they take up some time and yes, for some, they can be quite annoying but if you take the time to do something fun in the car, they can be enjoyable.
Why do we lose our cool during these jams or even when we get stopped by a train? These are ideal times to centre yourself and think about some really great things that have happened to you so far today or even a good time to have a gratitude moment.
6. Forget the rude cashier.
She is cranky as hell and her behaviour towards you was absolutely horrible. You leave the store and you are madder than a rabid fox.
- Did you complain to the store manager?
- Did you try to be kind to her?
- Did you show her any compassion?
You know you’re going to spend the rest of the day bitching about her to all your friends and family. What’s the point? You’ve never had a bad day or lashed out at someone?
Another classic case of “let it be”. Sure it was totally unprofessional of her, but in her defence, she probably was having a horrible day and no one was making it better. You could have done that for her. Quit your whining. Next time try and do something about it.
7. Bills are piled higher than the eye can see.
This is clearly no fun. I think it’s safe to say that at some point, we’ve all been there. There is a stack of bills and no money.
It’s tough, I totally get that. Instead of drowning in debt and sorrow and worrying day and night about it, why not call the bill collectors and the utility people and tell them of your situation?
Let them know you haven’t forgotten about them and can you try to work out a payment arrangement, no matter how small it might be. You will be surprised at how many of them will be happy you called and even happier to work with you on getting your debt down. Stop worrying and pick up the phone.
8. Find gratitude.
Take a moment to say thank you for anything or everything or even just for you. When we stop to appreciate little or big things our lives just run more smoothly.
Try it and you’ll see. Gratitude changes everything. Suddenly what we thought was absolutely horrible, isn’t really so bad after all.
9. Watch how you talk to yourself.
Did you know when you talk to yourself you are really listening? Good and bad. If you keep saying crappy things to yourself all the time then you are going to start believing them.
When we believe the things we tell ourselves, if they are always negative, then we start to lose faith in ourselves and believe we really are failures or losers. Don’t do that. Change your self-talk to positive and loving and nurturing.
10. Things really aren’t that bad.
You may be late for work or missed your dentist’s appointment or maybe you got a flat tire or got a bad haircut. It’s ok. All these things are really so temporary. Tomorrow or next week or maybe even next month you will have forgotten all about it.
11. Forgive often.
People hurt us and we hurt people. It’s human nature and no matter how hard we try to avoid it, it just happens.
Instead of stewing and brewing over what happened, just forgive and release it. Send it off to the universe. No sense in holding a silly that really isn’t going to matter in one year or 10 years from now.
Loving and forgiving is so much nicer than hating and hurting.
Make your life easier instead of making it harder. Operate at your maximum potential.
Are you doing any of these things now? It’s not too late to change your life, change your attitude and change your way of handling things. The results will be peace and happiness.
How are you making your life harder? How can you make it better? Let us know in the comments.
