You may have heard the popular saying before “do what makes you happy.” But what does it really mean and how does it apply to your life?
Do you choose a career based on what makes you happy, even if you may not receive the income you desire?
Do you just do what you want in life, in spite of how those around you may feel?
Let’s explore this concept a little more.
What Makes You Happy and How to Do It
Life is all about the small sacrifices we have to make from time to time, to get to where we want to be. I believe it’s all about finding balance.
Ask yourself what sacrifices are you willing to make, and what type of balance do you wish to achieve?
For example, let’s say that writing is your passion and it’s something that makes you happy.
The problem is, it doesn’t pay the bills.
If you don’t pay your bills, there will be major consequences down the road.
But if you sacrifice a little time each day to write and pitch your articles to publications, while having a stable job that pays your bills, it is a sacrifice that may be worth it long-term.
Perhaps eventually, you can get enough work to pay your bills and do what you makes you happy.
While I don’t recommend sacrificing everything for happiness, I do think small steps can get you to where you want to be.
Why You Should Do What Makes You Happy A Little Each Day
Simple pleasures in life bring us happiness, on a day to day basis we can do what makes us happy by focusing on these simple things.
You can apply habits, gratitudes, and practices that will make you happy and there are many benefits to applying them to your life.
Let’s explore a bit more 15 reasons that support your daily happiness!
15 Reasons To Do What Makes You Happy
1. You’ll be healthier
Harvard touches on how health is connected to happiness in one of their articles.
Through scientific investigation, having a consistently happy life is related to longevity overall.
Factors like youth, physical appearance, and momentary happiness fell short of improving people’s health in the long-term.
Live longer by doing what you love.
2. You deserve to be happy
Sometimes people operate on the notion that something must be done.
The fact is that you deserve to do what makes you happy even though some people might disapprove.
Do that thing that makes you feel like there’s a storm of butterflies in your stomach.
Do it without any apologies! You owe yourself that.
3. Nothing is unachievable with perseverance
Pursuing happiness relentlessly is a surefire way to achieve your dreams.
A great example of this is Jim Carey. He grew up living out of a van with his family. He was extremely poor throughout his childhood, yet he never gave up on his dream of being a comedian.
Because he always pursued what made him happiest, he is now a celebrity.
You can do what makes you happy if you have the drive to do it.
4. You will inspire people
Role models and idols inspire us to action. Through following what they love, they are able to become people we look up to.
By following your heart and dreams, you could encourage those around you to do the same. Your friends and family would look at you and know that true happiness is achievable.
You’d be living proof of it.
5. Your overall mood will improve
It’s tough to have a bad day when you’re doing what you love everyday.
As long as you get closer to reaching happiness, positivity will follow.
You might have something sad happen to you in that day, but getting absorbed in your favorite activity will help you forget.
When you pursue passion hours fly by like minutes. It’s a deeply satisfying feeling to know you’re a step closer to your dreams.
6. You’ll be more successful
If you engage in activities that make you shine, you can overcome days where you feel like you can’t do anything.
Your love for something (whether it is painting or juggling) allows you to become the best!
Passion trumps innate talent any day.
So, do what makes you happy to get closer to your ideal life. It will come easily because you genuinely enjoy it.
7. It will be easier to believe in yourself
Imposter syndrome is a proven phenomenon where a person doubts their achievements and confidence in a subject.
This affects both men and women across all areas of expertise.
There is a difference between being good at something and loving what you do.
The main deviation is that when you are frustrated, you’ll go back to the thing you love without hesitation.
No matter how hard it gets, your love is unconditional for your passion.
8. You are in charge of your destiny
There is no guide to life. Wouldn’t it be nice if there were?
Since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan to life it fortunately means you make up the rules.
There is no right or wrong way to lead your life.
Therefore, you can create sustained happiness without being guilty about it.
9. You only live so long
Imagine you were about to die within the day. Your last moments would look a lot better in hindsight if you were pursuing your passion.
In reality, every breath of air could be your last!
It’s not wise to be reckless, but when you do what you love you are living life to the fullest.
Live life unabashedly and happily for that reason.
10. It’s the bravest thing you can do
Society places importance on certain achievements.
Some professions are looked upon favorably at the cost of others.
Living up to society’s expectations might gain superficial approval, although you won’t necessarily gain happiness.
To go against the “status-quo” is hard!
You are braver than those who conform to make other people happy.
11. Your happiness is the one of the most important things in life
Depression affects millions every year. This type of mental illness typically happens over a period of time, rather than out of nowhere.
If you do what you love, then it’s tougher to develop mental illnesses.
It doesn’t matter if you are the richest person in the world if you’re not happy. You are your state of mind.
12. It makes you unique
What makes you happy and what makes you happy about it sets you apart from everyone else.
You and a friend could both be interested in writing, but you both write differently.
What you enjoy about writing isn’t completely the same.
A reason to do what makes you happy is that it makes you special. How you find your bliss if distinct and beautiful.
13. As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, it couldn’t hurt to try
The worst case scenario of what happens if you do what makes you happy probably doesn’t end with death.
You might as well give it an honest shot.
The worst that can happen is your gain wisdom! It’s a win-win either way for you.
The worst you could imagine will not happen, but the best certainly could.
14. Decisions are just decisions in the end
Life is all about making mistakes and figuring yourself out.
It’s important to take each day as it is as long as you think it will make you happy!
If you decide to pursue what makes you happiest, you’re allowed to stop if it doesn’t anymore.
Good and bad (to some extent) are subjective, so just make decisions.
Taking control of your happiness is always a good decision.
15. It makes the world a more interesting place to live in
If everyone operated on what society expected of them we would have a lot less creatives in this world.
People make beautiful creations and discover the world’s mysteries in the process of doing what they love.
The Earth is amazing because of its diversity. Break the societal mold and do what you love.
What are some things you can do that will make you happy? Share in the comments below: