Ways to Make Yourself Happy When Life Doesn't Feel Right

We all go through times when life doesn't feel right - the right words escape our lips when we shouldn't. It's easy to let these feelings take control, which can leave us feeling miserable and confused. Instead of letting things pile up inside, there are several things you can do to improve the quality of your days.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

No matter how much time and effort you put into your dreams and aspirations, you won't ever be fully successful unless you've also set realistic expectations. The best thing you can do is accept that you'll never be perfect. If you allow yourself to get frustrated by minor flaws, you'll just fall into a rut of self-pity. Instead, accept your mistakes and try to move forward with a positive attitude.

1. Focus on Your Self

It might seem counterintuitive to work on improving the way you behave and how others perceive you when your life seems so dark and confusing. But the truth is, you can only control the way you react to situations. Focus on the positive things you do each day - the moments when you help someone, or the moments when you smile. These actions reflect your true inner character, and they're a lot more impressive than any superficial attempts to be perfect.

1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

It doesn't matter how similar or dissimilar you think others are to you. The most important thing is to focus on your own path, whether it's in life or in your craft. When you start comparing yourself to others, you'll become jealous of others and envy what they have. There's no need to worry about your skills - you're talented enough - focus on your own successes.

1. Get Inspired

When things are going great for you, it can be easy to forget about all the struggles you're facing and what you're trying to accomplish. Keep a notebook nearby to jot down ideas you come across during the day - even if it's just a single word or idea that catches your eye. If you write down these ideas in a daily journal, you'll be surprised at how they'll inspire you over time.

1. Don't Give Up

Remember the times when things felt darkest, when life felt more challenging? These are the times when you have to keep fighting. Your strength lies in your ability to persevere, to keep pushing yourself to find new opportunities and new ideas. If you give up on your dreams and ambitions, you'll never reach your goals.

1. Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Most people live in a constant state of negativity, worrying about things and focusing on their problems. Try and step back every now and then and look at your life from a different perspective. See what opportunities are presenting themselves in your day, and see if there's something you can do to take advantage of them. For instance, if you spot a child smiling at you while you're walking down the street, chances are there's a charity project you can volunteer for.