MAD ABOUT 15 WAYS TO BE HAPPY NOW

Hey all, happy Spring! How gorgeous New York is during this time, when the leaves begin to reappear with vibrant life, flowers have never been more appreciated and people are just smiling generally everywhere. Seasons really do affect our moods! The sunshine today felt like such a treat after the strange winter we endured. Time to reach for the “lighter” jackets and retire the over the knee boots and prepare for adorable sandals and open toed shoes!

I truly hope you have all been well, and that your 2019 is off to a fabulous start. Of course the months always feel as though they fly by when you are working hard and going after your dreams. However, I wanted to create a list and write a special post about positivity and optimism. I have had quite a few people close to me mention how they are feeling constantly down or experiencing a lack of hope lately. It is tough to balance everything and everyone in your life—it’s a struggle and a hustle! But did you know that you can be a Realist and an extremely Positive and Optimistic person? Yes, I know, most believe you cannot be both, that Dreamers are “ignorant” and Realists are “smart.” I am here to battle this theory because I am living proof that you can be both while approaching life with a positive outlook.

Dreamers have larger than life ideas and can want a variety of hard to reach goals. Being disciplined and determined without fear of failure is a rare and bold skill. It takes years of “falling on your face” and getting right back up to try again with a different tactic to build up that muscle. This is how I live my day to day life. I have had strangers mock me for being a never-ending or “cockeyed” optimist, but what they do not see is all of the hard work I am doing in the background and the grind that goes into building your dreams. Knowing your worth, your experience, talents and skills will lead you to be positive and optimistic about yourself because you have something to back up those dreams, therefore, that is why you strongly believe you have a chance to chase them.

15 Ways To Be Happy NOW

1. Count Your Blessings: Maybe writing down what you are thankful for in a Gratitude Journal isn’t your thing. But taking a moment every morning when you wake up or when you fall asleep to list the amazing things, people and experiences you have and have had in your life will keep you grounded and humble.

2. Go Outside: Yeah, I said it. Take a Walk! Explore a different part of your neighborhood or city. Get out there and be active. Breathe some fresh air and hang out with yourself.

3. Reach Out To An Old Friend: Catch up with someone and truly listen. Be there for someone else and help them out if need be. Nothing feels better than laughing with a buddy, this is life’s perfect medicine.

4. Make Something: Using your hands to create, mold and form something is truly gratifying. Take a pen out and doodle, or check out that “Color Me Mine” shop down your block that you’ve always passed by with an eye brow raised. It could feel awesome that you made or painted the coffee mug you sip your coffee out of every morning.

5. Exercise: Ugh, this one is always the hardest for me, but I find that when I do sign myself up for a Boxing or Soul Cycle class I never regret it. Make it fun! Grab a friend or just try something new. I have personally been dying to try the Orange Theory craze, and plan to next week with a girlfriend.

6. Call Your Mom/Dad/Sister/Family Member: Nothing makes me feel better than checking in with my mom. She always knows just what to say when I feel blue or need a quick pick me up. Call that one person who truly gets you and will help turn around your mood or day. People forget the power of a great phone call.

7. Smile: Smile to a stranger, smile to yourself in a passing reflection, smile to an adorable dog passing you on the street. It is scientifically proven when we smile or even fake/force smile, your mood automatically gets lifted. Of course there are contrarians out there that will debate this, but I’ve found “grinning and bearing it” to be a successful tactic to get through life.

8. Treat Yourself: Grab that cupcake you always chastise yourself for wanting when you pass a bakery window. I say everything delicious should simply be in moderation—never completely ignored. A fruit smoothie, a dark chocolate Dove bar or a new kind of flavored gum, whatever your treat is for you, grab it and enjoy it. (not promoting emotional eating here, haha, just something small to make yourself smile and get you through a tough day)

9. Listen To Music: Music IS therapy, people! Find a new playlist on Spotify or dig into your tunes saved in your music library on your phone and enjoy the music. Whether you need a new song to help you finish work or writing a paper, or possibly spa sounds to help you relax, music heals all wounds—I say!

10. Detach From Social Media: A lot of people’s blues stem from comparison or envy. This is where social media has a dark side and can rear its ugly head. I will do a longer Blog post about this issue to come, but I have found that to simply stop checking other people’s lives and photos can help you to focus on yours, in a positive way. So, log out, sign off and shut down any apps or pages that make you “wish” or want to change something about yourself and just BE. Be present, breathe, and look around you. Start to sit into your life now with no distractions.

11. Declutter/Spring Clean: Go through those closets and clear out underneath the bed and give away things you do not use anymore nor need. This will make you breathe such a sigh of relief. I love giving things away to people who may actually use them. No need to hold onto things, practicing the art of Letting Go is a cathartic thing!

12. Create A New or Better Routine: I know a Type A personality like myself craves routine. Life has many ups and downs, but holding onto some things you can count on always help weather harsh storms. Going to the gym every morning before work or saving your workout to after work, or just classes on the weekend can help mold your day into more approachable pieces. Having something you enjoy to look forward to is very important. I am trying to get into Meal Planning and having something healthy and dependable everyday could do a lot of good for me!

13. Make A Vision Board: Anyone who knows me at all knows I am a true believer in the magic of a Vision Board. Creating a collage, or writing down lists with pictures or inspirational quotes (does not have to be fancy or large) can have a lasting effect! I have truly accomplished every thing on my vision board I had made when I first moved to LA. After 2.5 years, I found it and looked back at the pages and was shocked to see the specific things I mentioned or wanted actually came true. Creating something tangible for your conscious and subconscious to hold onto can be a powerful thing! Do it and see.

14. Breathe, Meditate, Close Your Eyes: Before I go into an audition or an interview where I am nervous, I do a 4 count breathe in, hold for 4 counts and then breathe out for 4 counts. This is what helps me calm down, focus, and become grounded. I learned this exercise studying at Stella Adler, and it truly helps in every stressful situation. Getting your heart beat back to normal and cooling down really changes the game.

15. Volunteer/Help Someone/Compliment A Stranger: Acting out of service is the best way to get rid of your funk, out of your own way and into something good, positive and healthy. Helping someone else, telling a stranger or co worker how funny or smart they are could not only make their day, but yours too!

So, are you happy yet?! I know, things take time, and for some people, happiness is a constant effort and journey, but there are ways to find it fast or immediately. I hope some of the tactics above will enlighten your day or week when put into practice. I love making people laugh, hence why I perform Stand Up. I seek out my happy through doing. Sometimes happiness must be made or found, it can take work, but once you find the thing, person or activity that makes your heart full, you’ll be so happy you did. Through this Blog and my posts, I always want to show you authenticity, and the power of positivity through a real life perspective. Not every day is sunshine and rainbows—I get that. But we can consciously try to better ourselves and those around us every day along the way. Xo A