Tired of being unhappy? 5 ways to find your joy.

You’ve spent your whole life working to find happiness and joy, and you’re just missing it. Life doesn’t feel joyful. Some days, you may argue, life feels pretty awful. The good news is that you’re not alone. 

According to a study by Gallup, stress, worry and anger are at an all time high in the United States. The increase in these feelings, experiences and emotions leads to decreased levels of happiness and joy. CNN recently reported that happiness in America has hit an all-time low with just 41 percent of Americans claiming satisfaction in life. 

There’s got to be a way to find your joy, right?
 

Happiness vs. joy

Happiness and joy are not the same thing. Happiness is typically an external expression of an inward feeling. That inward feeling — it’s joy. So, how do you find your joy and increase your happiness?

Here’s five tips to help you find your joy: 

• Find your why. We all have reasons we do the things we do — even if we don’t know what those rationales are. Take some time to really examine your life and figure out why you prioritize your life the way you do and why you believe what you believe. Once you find your “why,” you will be able to better understand your decision-making process and, perhaps more importantly, realign your priorities to suit your why — and find your joy.

• Kick social media to the curb. If you’re guilty of mindless scrolling, you’re not alone. If you notice you feel less happy or joyful after your deep dive into social media, you’re also not alone. Social media is the highlight reel of everyone’s lives. You only see what people want you to see and that can cause feelings of doubt and insecurity to pop up. Try taking a break from social media and see if you’re able to find a little bit more joy in your day-to-day life.

• Start a gratitude journal. If you’re having a bad day, take a pause and think about just one thing you’re grateful for. Now, write it down. Challenge yourself to write down five things you’re thankful for daily and, overtime, you’ll see your outlook on life start to shift to be more joyful.

• Invest in others. There’s no better way to find some joy in life than to give it to those around you. Consider volunteering at a local organization that aligns with your “why.” 

• Consider therapy. Sometimes life is really difficult. Talking with a therapist can help you process and work through some of your experiences and emotions. Taking time to improve your mental health will help you find joy.
   

You’ve worked too hard to be unhappy

Life is complicated and messy. When it comes to mental health, we believe there’s no one-size-fits all. At Halcyon Therapy Group, we understand just how important you and your unique situation and perspectives are. That’s why we offer a suite of services tailored specifically to you and your needs. You deserve better, and we are here to help. Book your complimentary consultation today and start living the life you always dreamed of.