Ask almost anyone what they want from life, and the simplest answer is most often: “I want to be happy”.
Happiness can come from the simplest things, but it’s a journey not a destination and you do have to work at it along the way. If a good state of mind seems like a bit of a stretch for you right now, answering these questions honestly can help to put your life in perspective and set you off on the road to positive change.
________________________________________________
Am I Prepared for a Rainy Day?
Have you ever noticed that the people who say “money isn’t that important”, never seem very short of it?! Of course, money isn’t everything, but you do need to have some security in case of the proverbial rainy day. Start a savings account now. Even if you only pay in the bare minimum every week, it’s a great feeling to see that little acorn grow, and you’re sparing yourself the horrible stress of coping with any unexpected financial strain. With any luck, the rainy day will never come and with every milestone reached you can buy a small treat.
Do I Spend My Time With People Who Make Me Happy?
For a large part of the day, we don’t have control over who we engage with, but we can manipulate it. Don’t take your work lunch with the office moan just because you’re both on the same lunch break. Engage more with positive colleagues who are solution-driven and fun be around. In your free time, work harder to meet the people who make you feel better just by being around them. The effort will be well worth it.
Where Have I Been, What Have I Seen?
“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”
Whether you’re a homebird at heart or filled with wanderlust, seeing more of the world around you is a blessing and a joy. Travel doesn’t have to cost you a fortune; even on your own doorstep you’ll find a multitude of options. We live in a country with a rich and vibrant history and culture that’s tough to beat. For everything else, there’s the most important paper you own. Your passport.
Could I Afford to Switch Off More?
The answer is yes. Whoever you are. We live in a world where we are completely surrounded by technology, and it becomes exhausting. Simply leaving your phone outside the bedroom at night can be enough to make a massive difference. There are very few emails you can’t afford to miss at that hour, so give your brain a blue-light break.
Do I Have a Job, a Career or a Vocation?
Let’s be realistic – very few of us can afford to ditch our jobs and follow our passion, but small steps are better than no steps. You spend eight or more of the precious twenty-four hours of your day at work, so make very effort you can to find some joy in that time. Pursue a career you love and you’ll find a lot of stress will disappear from your life.
Am I Getting Enough Sleep?
It doesn’t matter if you spend every cent you have on lotions and potions come payday, there is no product you can purchase that will replicate the effects of a good night’s sleep. You can’t cheat your way out of it, and you need it for both body and mind. Make your bedroom a comforting, relaxing place to be – free from clutter. Change the sheets, turn down the lights and dream easy.
How Often Do I Laugh Every Day?
The old adage that laughter is the best medicine might be clichéd, but there is still a lot to be said for the kind of laughter that makes it hard to breathe. This comes back to the people you spend your time with, but also your outlook on life. Work won’t fall down around you if you watch that thirty-second video of a cat fail, or a dad dancing adorably with his daughter. Give yourself the opportunity to have a giggle wherever you can. It’s good for you.
How Healthy is the Skin I’m In?
If you have your health, you can have anything. But ‘no obvious concerns’ is not the same as ‘healthy’. Pay attention to your body. Get your smear tests whenever they’re due. Examine your breasts regularly. Get any suspicions moles checked out. Get your teeth professionally cleaned and examined every six months. A little maintenance now can make a big difference in the long run. Address any niggling concerns before they have the chance to become serious.
Do I Have Regular ‘Me Time’?
You probably don’t. You probably should.
Setting time aside for yourself is so, so important. Something as small as a pampering facemask while you enjoy a cuppa and catch up on your favourite show can take the edge of a tough day. Love yourself a little more and dedicate at least an hour a day to things you actively enjoy doing.
What Do I Want to Achieve in My Life?
‘Someday’ is now. If you want to write a book, learn how to play the guitar, volunteer at an elephant sanctuary… start now. There is no time like the present, and we all waste so much time talking when we could be doing. Writing down your goals and putting them in a place where you’ll be reminded of them regularly can have a clarifying effect and will help spark you into action.
