13 Things Happy People Don’t Do

Happy people are intoxicating, infectious and are considerably more pleasurable to be around than unhappy people.

Don’t we all know some of these people?

They walk among us, usually with an ear to ear grin that spreads from the inside out. These people are like charming flowers, and we all want to breathe in their intoxicating scent.

Whether you are a mom, child, sister, wife, brother, aunt or if you are someone or somewhere in-between, these tips are universal and apply to everyone and anyone.

Before we get to the list below, please take a moment to enroll in our FREE Find Your Happy email course.

Happy people do a lot of things, but below are 13 things happy people don’t do.

1. Happy people don’t take things for granted. (Swap self-pity with gratitude)

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.’ ~ Eileen Caddy”

So basically, happy people are awake to the goodness that is already present in their lives (and this goodness is everywhere).  Whether they are rich, poor or somewhere in-between they can appreciate the miracles beyond materialism. We are going to have a difficult time being happy if we don’t start being thankful for what we already have.

Self-pity is a negative and destructive mindset. Swap this mindset by simply tuning in to the miracles already present in your life.

One miracle is our breath (and it’s with you all the time).  We often overlook the beauty of the breath.  Your breath is energy, flowing endlessly, and carrying you from then to now to tomorrow. It will thread all your fears, happiness, love, and truths together.

So basically, happy people are awake to the goodness that is already present in their lives (and this goodness is everywhere). Whether they are rich, poor, or somewhere in-between they can appreciate the miracles beyond materialism. We are going to have a difficult time being happy if we don’t start being thankful for what we already have. Self-pity is a negative and destructive mindset. Swap this mindset by simply tuning in to the miracles already present in your life. One miracle is our breath (and it’s with you all the time). We often overlook the beauty of the breath.  Your breath is energy, flowing endlessly, and carrying you from then to now to tomorrow. It will thread all your fears, happiness, love, and truths together.

2.  Happy people don’t hold onto resentments.

“True forgiveness is when you can say, ‘Thank you for that experience.” ~ Oprah

Happy people have learned to forgive because they know that if they don’t forgive, they will develop a mind of anger. And the angry mind leaves you at the mercy of an unpredictable and unstoppable powerful emotion. The sole intent of the mind of anger is to harm.  But what ends up happening is you harm yourself and your loved ones.

It’s actually pretty simple, happy people understand they can choose emotional well-being – even when things don’t turn out the way they want.

 

3.  Happy people don’t take things personally.

‘Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.’ ~ Miguel Ruiz

Taking things personally is the voice of the ego. The ego desperately tries to protect itself from something it deems as dangerous or threatening. The reason we see something as dangerous or threatening is that it conflicts with our own personal projections of good or bad, right or wrong, fair or unfair. We believe that certain actions or speech is about us personally. Our ego reacts fast and usually unconsciously; the ego stands tall to reinforce our illusions of perfection.

Happy people recognize that most of the time these situations are just by-products of other people’s dramas. When you stop taking things personally you breeze through your day with a quiet, deep sense of calm.  

This is a new-age way of dealing with our reactions – stop trying to control situations or people, stop avoiding or defending – see it for what it is and accept that it is there.

4.  Happy people don’t live in the past.

“You can’t go back to how things were. How you thought they were. All you really have is…now.” ~ Jay Asher

Have you ever noticed the impressive way that happy people seem to light up a room even amidst mundane tasks?  You might wonder how they can make washing the dishes seem so enthusing.

It’s because happy people have truly mastered living in the moment. Happy people realize that the present moment, all these moments, are in fact our lives.

By obsessing over the past or chasing the future you miss out on these valuable moments of your life, and in turn, you end of missing your life.

5.  Happy people don’t seek validation from others. (and they don’t worry about pleasing everyone)

When we consistently suppress and distrust our intuitive knowingness, looking instead for authority, validation, and approval from others, we give our personal power away.’ ~ Shakti Gawain

Here’s the problem: Being dependent on approval—so much so that we will sacrifice anything to get it—ruins lives. We become divorced from our authentic selves.

Happy people define themselves. Whether other people like them or not doesn’t much matter, all that matters is that they are walking the path that feels best.

6. Happy people set a sleep routine

‘Sleep is the best meditation.’ ~ Dalai Lama

This might seem out of place, but it’s very important. Happy people are early risers.  Now having said that, let’s not debate extenuating schedules, (such as shift workers.) This statement is geared towards people who have consistent, regular schedules. If you are not one of those people then find a way to create some “you” time in your current schedule, because time for self-care is really the theory behind this statement.

Along with being an early riser (or finding some “you time”) comes the opportunity to do activities that support happiness. Activities such as meditation, exercise, preparing healthy lunches and nurturing hobbies.  Taking care of your body is crucial to being the happiest person you can be.

Within these truly charming pages, you’ll find ways to let go of the bullsh*t and lift your spirit a little f*cking higher.

7.  Happy people don’t undermine others.

I have no right, by anything I do or say, to demean a human being in his own eyes. What matters is not what I think of him; it is what he thinks of himself. To undermine a man’s self-respect is a sin.’ ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery”

The key point here:  Those who undermine other people are really afraid, shaky and insecure. The real issue is that someone else’s success signals your own failure. If you take a moment after you criticize someone, you’ll notice you will feel a little deflated and ashamed.

Happy people help others achieve their goals, instead of putting up roadblocks that ultimately slow down everyone. They understand the value of kindness. They help others by enhancing their good points instead of pointing out their weaknesses.  In the end, this is a powerful way to feel good inside and others will recognize your kind energy – what you put out will come back to you.

 8. Happy people don’t give up (especially after initial failure)

Sometimes life knocks you on your ass… get up, get up, get up!!! Happiness is not the absence of problems, it’s the ability to deal with them.” ~ Steve Maraboli

Everyone has self-doubts, but happy people squash these doubts and keep going.  They don’t blame anyone else for their successes or failures, they simply and silently keep trying.  Figure out what you love and go for it.

Happy people don’t give up on their dreams and goals but what they do give up is their need to always be right, their limiting beliefs, their resistance to change and their excuses.

9.  Happy people don’t sweat the small stuff.

Don’t sweat the small stuff…and it’s all small stuff.” ~ Richard Carlson

Life is full of big and little annoyances, oftentimes we let these things drive us crazy.  The problem is that these annoyances (like fastballs) keep coming at us,  and if we let them all drive us crazy, it’s not long before we are in fact, well – crazy!

Happy people have found ways to calm down and find peace in this stress-filled life.  Put things into perspective and think of your problems as potential teachers.  Problems can teach you patience, emotional intelligence, and mind control.  When you die, your petty squabbles are going to seem really silly.  Live each day as though it were your last.

10.  Happy people don’t isolate themselves. (but they are okay being alone too).

‘A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down.’ ~ Arnold H. Glasow

The happiest people on the planet are the ones who have deep, meaningful relationships. Loneliness is a silent killer!

Friendships an emotional outlet that is unobtainable through any other relationship but it also boosts our endorphins, results in lower levels of cortisol – a stress hormone, wards off depression, boosts self-esteem and gives us a sense of belonging and support.

Along with having meaningful relationships, happy people know that taking some alone time and allowing a little solitude, is perfectly okay. We all need to recharge our batteries and focus on growth.

11. Happy people don’t focus on things they can’t control

Incredible change happens in your life when you decide to take control of what you do have power over instead of craving control over what you don’t.” – Steve Maraboli, Life, The Truth, and Being Free

Trying to control everything is a result of anxiety in your mind and body. Happy people have learned to let things go, they have a peaceful spaciousness in their minds that radiates right through them.

Can you change the situation? If so, then take the appropriate steps to make positive change. If you can’t change the situation, then take the appropriate steps to change the variables that you can.

Happy people always focus on what they can control, they keep positive and keep moving forward.

12. Happy people embrace change

“When you feel yourself resisting differences, lean into them, instead, and have fun with what happens.” – Gina Greenlee”

Change can be frightening, it’s human nature to wrap ourselves in familiar surroundings. But if there’s one thing true about life, it’s that change is inevitable.

Shying away from change prevents growth and you end up fighting a losing battle, clinging to keep everything the same, which is impossible. Embrace change — learn, grow, have fun, get excited, live!

13.  Happy people don’t make the same mistakes over and over

“Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.” – George Bernard Shaw

Happy people accept responsibility for the mistakes they’ve made. It’s not that they never screw up, but instead when mistakes are made they learn from them and move on.

We often cling to bad habits,  but letting go of some conditioned habits is crucial if we want to change and experience growth. Don’t keep your life on repeat like a broken record.

“Something wonderful begins to happen with the simple realization that life, like an automobile, is driven from the inside out, not the other way around. As you focus more on becoming more peaceful with where you are, rather than focusing on where you would rather be, you begin to find peace right now, in the present. Then, as you move around, try new things, and meet new people, you carry that sense of inner peace with you.  It’s absolutely true that wherever you go, there you are.” ~ Richard Carlson

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