How to Be Happy

(Pssst…if this isn’t real life then I don’t know what is…check out the unzipped fly. What a hottie!)

Tee| Jeans (order one size down) | Necklace | Goldie’s romper c/o Just Born

The post title of this blog post kind of makes me laugh, but I really don’t know any other way to describe it! I have been asked on multiple occasions how I am happy and how I maintain a positive outlook on life. I have spent hours thinking about this and trying to dissect and break it down for you. While driving in car, while at the gym, while doing dishes, I’ve thought and tried to break it down…what does make me happy? How do get through trials and maintain a smile? I hope this post helps you in some way. I love reading and hearing what others do to live life joyfully. These are the things I do and the beliefs I have that make a happy person:

1. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My relationship with my Savior is how I have come through every trial. I believe that He is with me, walking by me, and has my best interests at heart. While in the midst of trial, it can be hard to decipher the purpose, but in looking back on it after the storm has calmed, I can always see a reason that I had to go through it. I learned more going through infertility than I would have learned in a lifetime of sunny days. I learned so much compassion, patience and love. Knowing that there is purpose for what I experience here on earth, a purpose in each day, and life after death provides a firm rock for me to stand on. It’s a conviction and a confidence that no one can shake because it’s who I am. I know that God loves me. I’m not always the best at reading my scriptures and praying each morning, but when I take a moment of stillness and do that, my day is much more peaceful. I am able to view my problems from a higher perspective and they seem so much smaller.
2. I look for the silver lining in all things and I train my mind to push away negative thoughts. Being happy is a fight, every hour of every day. Being happy with myself and my body is a challenge that starts in my mind. Our minds are so much more powerful than we could ever possibly imagine. They control everything. One of my favorite quotes is, “You do not find the happy life, you make it.” As soon as a negative thought jumps into my head, which is a lot, I push it out and try to a positive thought to replace it with.
3. SLEEP!!! I get enough sleep. I’m not kidding when I say this, I am legitimately a horrible person if I don’t get enough sleep. It sounds funny, but it’s true! Sleep is literally my number one priority because it the foundation. If my brain is well-rested and functioning properly, I can be a good mother, a good wife, a good friend, a good daughter and I have a chance to be great at pretty much anything I set my mind to. If I don’t get enough sleep, I’m slugglish, pessimistic and feel horrible. Life sucks. It’s hilarious writing this, but I can’t stress to you the importance of this for me! If you don’t believe how important sleep is, read this book. It is a game changer!! It is one of the most interesting and important books I have ever read. Sleep comes before exercise, before food, before anything else for me.
4. I exercise every day except Sundays. My mood and attitude when I am done working out vs. before is always lifted, brighter and more positive. The endorphins that go to my brain are my brain’s best friend and I never regret working out. A good exercise routine can be hard to get into, but once you have started, you start to crave it because your realize how good it makes your mind and your body feel. I really love to try new workouts, too. I love barre fitness, cycling outside, spin classes, HIGH fitness….pretty much anything. Except running! 😉 My knees can’t hack that!
5. I enjoy eating healthy and fueling my mind and body with foods that are both delicious and good for me. I will admit that I love sugar like fish love water, but I also am really good at moderation and I try to eat 5 servings of veggies each day.  My body feels better when I’m healthy, and therefore my mind feels better.
6. I realize that every single person in this entire big world has challenges and problems. I have been asked several times if I was jealous of other people that had children when we were struggling with infertility, and the answer is always a sincere “no.” There is a big difference between wanting something that is good and that someone else has and those awful feelings of jealously. The reason I wasn’t jealous is because I realized that the people who had children were surely dealing some other big trial that I knew nothing about. We each have trials that will help us develop and grow and they are what we each individually need. Also looking at our trials as not something to get around to get on with our life, but looking at them as they are which is that they are our life, is a really healthy, happy mindset.

I would love to know some ways that you are able to be happy if you have any ways that are not listed here. I love that we can grow and learn from one another’s experiences. I love you guys and hope you have a great day!