Life has been full of smiles and laughter since we entered the month of December. November was one hell of a month. There was no time to rest and relax as we were hitting the climax of the first school semester. School projects and work had to be rushed, so that everyone could take a breather and relax in December. This made November a hectic month, which affected my work schedule and activity on Hive.
I decided to make December different for me. I was going to make it a chill month, a month of relaxation and happiness and I was going to wrap up the year on a high note. It was a goal I made in the past month and that meant that I didn't have to wait for life to happen to me. I was going to take it by the horns, apply conscious efforts and make the best of it. This week’s #KISS asked about some simple methods that makes each day happier that have made you fall in love with your life. After setting my goal for December, I knew there were steps I had to take to achieve that goal and one of these steps are taking adequate rest.
I think rest is quite underrated. We see rest as a reward, rather than something we should do because we have to. We don't take rest seriously like the way we apply effort to our work or schooling. Now, I take my rest seriously. Not only because it's very easy to break down physically when we don't get enough rest but because a well rested body is à healthier and happier body. Once it's 9pm, I shut down my phone, my laptop, and school projects. I shut myself away from deadlines and assignments and the digital world. 9pm-7am is my me time, my rest time and I rarely joke with it. I found out that when I gave my body the rest it deserved, I was less cranky and angry during the day. My headspace is the better for it.
Another step I take towards living a happier life is putting pen on paper. From my previous minimalist posts, it would be noticed that I emphasize on journaling and writing. Writing does not only help me declutter my thoughts and mind, it helps me fully express. Sometimes, while speaking to people around me, I sometimes find myself getting stuck for words or full with so much words that i wouldn't even be able to express. But writing helps me pen down my thoughts, it helps me destress, it helps me understand myself better. And for me, getting to understand myself means helping myself on the path to self-love. Writing helps me understand my wants and needs, my do’s and dont’s, my limits and boundaries. Sometimes, my mind can become so cluttered that the lines between these things are blurred and I find myself making mistakes (not that mistakes are not essential to life) but I make less regrettable ones when I write.
I recently started the practice of self affirmation. And it has helped me to love myself more and better, to be happier. Standing in front of the mirror and just speaking positive words to myself, affirming and speaking positive things upon my life has led to a major turnaround for my self esteem and body image positivity. I devote at least five minutes to myself for self affirmation. I stand in front of the mirror and love myself. I also can't end this post without talking about one of my favorite methods, which is taking evening strolls and listening to music. Taking walks is a form of relaxing and destressing for me. I school in a sort of suburban community. There are lots of trees and flowers around me. So, it is easy for me to settle into the rhythm of nature and resonate with it. I tend to appreciate the beauty of nature more and revel in the awesomeness of clouds and sunsets. While taking these strolls, I listen to music. There are these playlists I listen to while taking my strolls; Romanticizing Life and Totally Stress-Free. Awesome names, right? These playlists helps me remain optimistic about life.
These are some of the simple methods that makes each day happier for me and helps me fall in love with my life. What are yours?😊
Thanks for reading.
All images are mine