While happiness may not be possible all the time, in many cases our happiness depends on choosing to be happy. It's as simple as that.
Unfortunately, we complicate our lives to the point that we're unable to recognize happiness when it appears right in front of us.
So how to clear the slate? Here are 10 things you'll need to give up in exchange for your happiness.
1. Give up caring what other people think of you.
I know it may feel counterintuitive, since humans are social animals, but spending time worrying what others think is a waste of energy. You'll never please everyone, and it's none of your business what others think of you.
2. Give up trying to please everyone.
Unless you're living life to the beat of your own drum, your tribe won't be able to find you. Be the best version of YOU you can be, and you'll naturally attract the people who are supposed to surround you.
3. Give up participating in gossip.
Those sharing gossip with you will gossip about you, 100% of the time. Believing gossip is like gambling everything on a horse sight unseen. It's naive.
4. Give up worrying.
Where thoughts go, energy flows. When you worry, you invest time and energy in something you don't want to have happen. Learn to let go and trust.
5. Give up feelings of insecurity.
When you take yourself too seriously, you think everyone else does too. There's one version of you on the planet. Be it, own it and quit worrying about it. No one really cares or watches you that closely.
6. Give up taking everything personally.
Truth is, most people are too consumed with their own life to really consider what you're doing. As my first boss said so well, "The world doesn't revolve around you. Most people's reactions have nothing to do with you, so let them go."
7. Give up the past.
We've all been hurt, we all had parents who made mistakes and we've all been through hell. Every experience in life has taught you something or made you stronger.
8. Give up spending money on what you don't need in effort to buy happiness.
Living simply allows the space for life to flow. We complicate our lives by spending too much money and filling our home with things. Less is truly more.
9. Give up anger.
Anger burns a hole in the hand of the person still holding on to it. Move it out once and for all.
10. Give up control.
Control is an illusion, as we live in an out-of-control world. Learn to embrace the new and welcome change; otherwise you'll grow old through your own rigidity.