Life Advice to Be Happy: A Journey Toward Lasting Fulfillment

The pursuit of happiness can be an elusive goal in our fast-paced, success-driven world. We find ourselves balancing between the obligations, and our desire to be successful with daily obstacles on top of it; we can easily forget about life´s little pleasures. Yet, real happiness is not built out of the accumulation of things or awards but in a state-of-mind that allows room for contentment and fulfillment. With inspiration from deep philosophies like Ikigai and personal revelations, this is a bit of life advice to start you on your journey towards happiness.

1. Discover Your Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Ikigai, according to a bestselling book authored by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, is 'a reason for being.' It's that place where what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for all come together. So instead of discovering something you're passionate about, it connects to a sense of purpose.

One beautiful quote from the book encapsulates that:

"Only when you stay active will you want to live a hundred years."

— Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles, Ikigai

To be genuinely happy, one must discover his ikigai - whether it is at work, in relations with family or friends, or perhaps through hobbies and other leisure activities. When you feel that you have a purpose in life, even the most mundane activities of daily life become different. Writing and sharing knowledge are the best sources of reward for me because they allow me to reach more people and learn indefinitely. Finding your little reason for living can transform daily routine into the extraordinary.

2. Practice Gratitude Every Day

Gratitude is actually a pretty powerful tool for happiness. Rather than regretting what's missing, appreciation of what you have has the power to flip your mood to a very different perspective. Author Shawn Achor writes in The Happiness Advantage, citing gratitude as a basis for sustained joy:

"The more you are exposed to opportunities to feel gratitude, the happier and more successful you will be."

— Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage

Gratitude journaling can shift an individual's mood in a positive direction as an activity at the start or closing of the day. Feeling grateful for the little things in my life would make me feel more connected to this moment; it boosts the feeling of joy.

3. Live in the Present Moment

One of the greatest takeaways from Ikigai is being completely and utterly present in the now. It is easy to find oneself debilitated in the remorse of the past or the anxiety of the future, but happiness and contentment really only come from living in the moment. In further reflection of the wisdom of the ancient Japanese, the book says :

"Living in the moment means not obsessing over the past or worrying about the future. It means savoring each moment as it comes."
— Hector Garcia, Francesc Miralles, Ikigai

I feel like when I am more present like to focus on savoring a meal, listening in a conversation, or simply walking and being more peaceful and present—then I am much less anxious. Liberating from wanting to grasp onto what is happening next allows you to be present with what is happening now.

4. Invest in Relationships

Another component of happiness is the relationships that we invest in. Included in this are good social connections that are a means of protecting emotional well-being. But as the book explains by Dan Buettner in The Blue Zones, the world's happiest and longest-living people actually base their priorities on having close-knit communities and family relationships:

"People who live in blue zones in the world reported the highest levels of happiness. Indeed, they reported longer lives."

—Dan Buettner, The Blue Zones

For me, the comfort or joy of meaningful relationships in itself was something to preserve. Whether it's having deep conversations with close friends or spending time with family, these kinds of interactions give life meaning and render us supportable and valuables.

5. Taking on a Growth Mindset

Another vital lesson to live a happy life is developing a growth mindset. Conceptually, this term was first created by psychologist Carol Dweck in her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success: Growth mindset.

A growth mindset believes that one's ability is something that can be developed through dedication and hard work:

"Challenges are exciting rather than threatening."

— Carol Dweck, Mindset

Once I adjusted my growth mindset, I did not define failures as defeats but a chance to learn and grow. That change in mindset cut down stress and made the challenges of life enjoyable, which therefore brings long-term happiness.

6. Prioritize Self-Care

Another source of happiness is taking care of your mind and body. Regular exercise, meditation, and healthy eating can make all the difference on a daily basis. James Clear explains in Atomic Habits that it's the compound effect of good habits over time that creates big changes in your life: 

"Happiness is the compound interest of good habits."

—James Clear, Atomic Habits

Hence, devoting some time to self-care ensures that the body as well as the mind are in an optimal condition for happiness. For me, it's starting the day with a short meditation or yoga session, something that brings an earthy feel and prepares me for the strength of the day.

7. Find Joy in the Small Things

Happiness is found in small, daily things rather than in major issues. In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin discusses this truth, writing, 

"The days are long, but the years are short."

From The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin

It is easy to ignore the little pleasures in life, such as a hot cup of tea, the dawn, or the sound of rain, yet these are the most beautiful moments. For me, happiness flows more steadily throughout the day when I discover joy in the little things.

Final Thoughts

True happiness does not lie in removing problems and difficulties. It is not about being perfect. Instead, it is a mindset to navigate life with grace, purpose, and joy. Whether you discover your ikigai, practice gratitude, or live in the present moment, your journey to happiness is continuous, a path that shifts and changes every day.

As you put these life lessons into your daily walk, happiness will no longer seem so far away; instead, it will be created here and now.