Yeah, we all get it, life sucks! But do you really need to wallow in all things negative? If you really want people to picture you as this crazy hermit afraid of even breathing, then this article is not for you.

Let’s face it: Life is amazing, life is messy, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. How else would magical things happen, or—dare anyone say—even miracles?

That being said, all of us only have so much time on earth, so how do we do it all?

You don’t. So pick only the essentials. Here are 30 things you need to experience to understand how amazing life is.

1. Travel

Yeah, yeah, this is something everyone recommends. Getting to eat that dish you’ll remember for life. Meeting hot babes. Laughing along with locals who remind you friendly people still exist. This are just a few of many reasons why people recommend it.

2. Waking Up next to a Loved One

Who wouldn’t want to experience something awesome right from the minute they wake up?

3. Fail Epically

Sounds cheesy, but it is through our failures that miracles occur. Opportunities will come knocking on your door, I promise.

4. Succeed at Something

It doesn’t have to be something grand like making a million dollars, but celebrate any type of success you have.

5. Work at Your Dream Job

What would you pursue if you could have 100% chance of success? Working at your dream job will ignite your passion and you’ll wonder why you’re getting paid to do something you’d easily do for free.

6. Do an Extreme Sport

Come on, I dare you.

7. Be a Mentor

You’ll feel a rush of excitement and be so proud when the person you mentor achieves success because of what you did.

8. Get a Mentor

You need a mentor, too, to show you that life can be more than you dreamed of.

9. Exercise the Heck out of Your Body

Remember how awesome you feel after each workout?

10. Try Your Hand at Becoming a Minimalist

Like they say, less is more. You’ll soon notice at how much happier you are when you have fewer things to worry about.

11. Outsource Menial Tasks

You’d be surprised at how much leisure time you have, or even how you can get more done, when you outsource tasks that suck up more time than you initially realized.

12. Take a Week Off to Unplug

It’s amazing how getting away from an electronic device (especially our phones!) can really recharge our batteries. (Ha, ha, get it?)

13. Go for a Spa Day

Come on, even men could benefit from a relaxing massage. You’ll emerge a new man (or woman).

14. Ask for Help

You’ll cry knowing how much you’re loved when people step up and help you when you’re in need.

15. Be an Extra in a Movie

Who wouldn’t want to meet celebrities in person?

16. Take an Online Course

Many of them are free, and you’ll remember at once the joy you felt when you learned something new. Especially something you’ve always been curious about.

17. Blog

Express yourself! You also get to be in awe of the power of the internet, and how many people connect over this nifty little thing.

18. Learn a New Language

It just opens so many doors, such as meeting and being friends with people you normally wouldn’t be able to communicate with.

19. Laugh. A Lot.

Nothing is better in life than laughing until you cry or can’t breathe anymore.

20. Fall in Love

You know that high everyone talks about? Yeah.

21. Have at Least One Sexy Outfit.

That doesn’t mean it has to be revealing. Just something that makes you feel good inside and out.

22. Read More

Is there anything better than getting lost in a book?

23. Spend More Time with Family

Do I really need to elaborate on this?

24. Spend More Time with Friends

Why wouldn’t you?

25. Meditate

Getting into a calm state of mind really helps you change your perspective on how good life actually is.

26. Cry. A Lot.

Sometimes, all we need is to simply cry in order to feel better. It makes us realize that life goes on, no matter what.

27. Writing in a Gratitude Journal for at Least a Month

Having a grumpy day? Think about the good things in life and you’ll be sure to realize how amazing life is

28. Hang Out with People Who Laugh until They Make You Cry

Laughter is such great medicine. Really.

29. Smile

It’s scientifically proven that smiling (even when you don’t feel happy) boosts your mood. So why not do more of it?

30. Mix up Your Routine

Sometimes we forget how awesome life is simply because we’re bored with what we’re doing.

Featured photo credit: katiew via flickr.com

Some people just seem to float through life with a relentless sense of happiness – through the toughest of times, they’re unfazed and aloof, stopping to smell the roses and drinking out of a glass half full.

They may not have much to be happy about, but the simplicity behind that fact itself may make them happy.

It’s all a matter of perspective, conscious effort and self-awareness. Listed below are a number of reasons why some people are always happy.

1. They Manage Their Expectations

They’re not crushed when they don’t get what they want – or misled into expecting to get the most out of every situation. They approach every situation pragmatically, hoping for the best but being prepared for the worst.

2. They Don’t Set Unrealistic Standards

Similar to the last point, they don’t live their lives in a constant pursuit towards impossible visions of perfection, only to always find themselves falling short of what they want.

3. They Don’t Take Anything for Granted

Happiness rests with feeling fulfilled – those who fail to stop and appreciate what they have every now and again will never experience true fulfillment.

4. They’re Not Materialistic

There are arguing viewpoints on whether or not money can really buy happiness; if it can, then we know from experience that we can never be satisfied because there will always be something newer or better that we want. Who has ever had enough money?

5. They Don’t Dwell

They don’t sweat the small things or waste time worrying about things that don’t really matter at the end of the day. They don’t let negative thoughts latch onto them and drain them or distract them. Life’s too short to worry.

6. They Care About Themselves First

They’re independent, care for themselves and understand that they must put their needs first in order to accommodate the needs of others.

They indulge, aim to get what they want, make time for themselves and are extremely self-reliant.

7. They Enjoy the Little Things

They stop to smell the roses. They’re accustomed to find serenity when it’s available, to welcome entertainment or a stimulating discussion with a stranger when it crosses their path. They don’t overlook the small things in life that can be just as important.

8. They Can Adapt

They’re not afraid of change and they work to make the most out of new circumstances, good or bad. They thrive under pressure, are not overwhelmed easily and always embrace a change of pace.

9. They Experiment

They try new things, experience new flavors and never shy away from something they have yet to experience. They never order twice from the same menu.

10. They Take Their Time

They don’t unnecessarily rush through life. They work on their own schedule to the extent that they can and maneuver through life at their own relaxing pace.

11. They Employ Different Perspectives

They’re not stuck in one perspective; a loss can result in a new opportunity, hitting rock bottom can mean that there’s no where to go but up.

12. They Seek to Learn

Their constant pursuit of knowledge keeps them inspired and interested in life. They cherish information and are on a life-long quest to learn as much as they can.

13. They Always Have a Plan

They don’t find themselves drifting without purpose. When something doesn’t go as planned, they have a plan for every letter in the alphabet to fall back on.

14. They Give Respect to Get It

They are respectful and, in turn, are seen as respectable; the respect they exude earns them the respect they deserve.

15. They Consider Every Opportunity

They always have their eyes open for a new road, a new avenue worth exploring. They know how to recognize opportune moments and pounce on them to make the most of every situation. Success is inevitable for them.

16. They Always Seek to Improve

Perpetual self-improvement is the key towards their ongoing thirst for success. Whatever it is they do, they take pride in getting better and better, from social interactions to mundane tasks. Their pursuit at being the best eventually materializes.

17. They Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

They’re not ones to get offended easily over-analyze or complicate matters. They laugh at their own faults and misfortunes.

18. They Live in the Moment

They don’t live for tomorrow or dwell on what may have happened yesterday. Every day is a new opportunity, a new chapter. They live in the now, and in doing so, get the most out of every moment.

You can learn how to do so too: How to Live in the Moment and Stop Worrying About the Past or Future

19. They Say Yes

Much more often than they say no. They don’t have to be badgered to go out, don’t shy away from new opportunities or anything that may seem inconvenient.

20. They’re Self-Aware

Most important, they’re wholly aware of themselves. They self-reflect and are conscious of their states of mind. If somethings bothering them, they fix it.

We’re all susceptible to feeling down every now and again, but we are all equipped with the necessary solutions that just have to be discovered.

Lack of confidence, inability to feel fulfilled, and susceptibility to stress are all matters that can be controlled through the way we handle our lives and perceive our circumstances.

Learn about How Self-Reflection Gives You a Happier and More Successful Life.

Final Thoughts

The main philosophy employed by the happiest includes the idea that life’s simply too short: life’s too short to let things get you down, to take things for granted, to pursue absolute and unrealistic perfection.

For some, employing these characteristics is a second nature – they do it without knowing. For others, a conscious effort must be put forth every now and again. Self-Awareness is key.

More About Happiness

• How to Get Motivated and Be Happy Every Day When You Wake Up
• How to Be Happy Again: 13 Simple Ways to Shake off Sadness Now
• How to Be Happy: Why Pursuing Happiness Will Make You Unhappy

Featured photo credit: Charles Postiaux via unsplash.com