Ten ways to add joy and fulfillment to your life.
There is no “get happy quick” scheme. There is no such thing as creating fulfillment, joy and enrichment overnight. These things take time, effort, experiences, experiments, adventures, falling down, getting back up, getting lost and finding your way back. To have fulfillment and happiness, you have to keep at it. There is no destination to fulfillment- there is only the winding road and path that IS fulfillment.
Here are ten ways that I have found happiness and fulfillment:
1. Movement.
Whether it is running, Crossfit, hiking, walking the dog, zoom workouts, burpees, yoga or going for a bike ride, I find movement to be one of the most important keys to happiness. When I work out, I have more energy and I feel more alive. When pick up heavy weights and put them back down, I feel strong and resilient. When I go for a run, I feel calm and steady. When I take the time to go for a bike ride, I feel in tune with the road. When I stretch and do yoga, I feel flexible and light. I never regret moving my body. I always walk away feeling better, stronger, more resilient and happier
2. Touch.
A hug, a kiss, a fist bump, a cuddle, a high five or a handshake. They all matter. Physical touch can make you feel alive. It reminds you that connection is key.
3. Get a dog or a cat or a ferret or a pet fish.
( I mainly recommend a dog but didn’t want to be exclusionary) When we adopted our pup, Mr. Harvey Milk in 2018, our lives changed. He is such a loyal companion who just wants to be loved and cuddled and walked and fed. He is happy to lay in the sunshine, walk on the beach and eat treats at any time. He reminds me of the simpler things in life.
4. Breathe.
Taking 3 deep breaths can calm your heart rate, center you and put you back in the present moment. It can take away stress, a negative thought loop or bad energy. It can change the course of your day.
5. Connect with nature.
A walk in the park, a hike in the mountains, a swim in the ocean, a stroll on the beach, watching a sunset or sunrise, looking up at the trees, the birds and the clouds are all ways to connect to mother nature. Taking time to get away from the hustle and bustle or life can be calming, grounding and bring you back to the now.
6. Nourishment.
Cooking healthy, delicious meals at home can be a great way to know what is in your food, how it is being cooked and can help you control portions. The smell of garlic, onions, ginger or shallots that fills your kitchen can add a feeling of warmth and coziness to your home. Cooking with loved ones and sitting around the table to enjoy the meal with great conversation can add so much joy.
7. Put your phone down
Phones are not just phones- they are constant stimulation, news reports, updates, notifications, emails, phone calls, twitter comment wars and create 1,000 different ways to not be in the now. They can take you away from experiencing moments, sights and experiences because you have your head down looking at a phone. Put your phone down and look someone in the eye and have a conversation.
8. Show Gratitude
I have found that it is difficult to be stressed out when I am focusing on things that I am grateful for. I write gratitude lists a lot- and not the fake gratitude. The real stuff. There are days (especially during Covid times) that I am grateful that I didn’t yell at someone. That is still gratitude. Taking the time to recognize the small things that bring joy and gratitude can change your emotional state and your mindset.
9. Write it down.
I started journaling 2 years ago and over time, I feel that I have become calmer, more grounded and the negative and frustrating thoughts I have had do not take over my day. By putting my thoughts- good and bad out on paper, I feel that I process my emotions more effectively. I feel that my inner critic has been quieter and even kinder. I have been more creative and contemplative. I have felt more relaxed, grounded and resilient all because I put pen to paper almost daily.
10. Choose your people wisely.
I truly believe that you are a culmination of the people that you spend the most time with. And if you spend time with people who tear you down, ridicule you or focus on only what is bad and wrong in the world, it is going to affect you. Negative energy can infiltrate you and bring misery, not joy. So find people who lift you up, compliment you, are like minded, have the energy that you want and are adding joy and fulfillment in your life. Find the people who may you laugh, smile and who see the best in you. Those are the people who you deserve.