There’s a woman at my kids’ school who has the cheeriest disposition. I find myself watching her in the morning car line and questioning where she finds the energy. Is it coffee? Exercise? More coffee? Maybe she shouts affirmations at herself in the rearview mirror on the way to work. Whatever it is, it’s working. She’s one of those happy women whose smile is contagious.
Some happy women don’t have that energy level, but they do have something inside of them that gives them peace, joy, and confidence. Here are 10 habits they share (and you could pick up too)!Â
1. Gratitude
It’s not happy people who are grateful but grateful people who are happy. Research shows gratitude is one of the top factors leading to happiness. It’s a choice to see the good on a hard day, to look for beauty in the ordinary, and to find joy in small things. A habit of gratitude opens our eyes to see even more for which to be thankful.
2. Forgiveness
Stewing over past hurts and offenses leads to bitterness and a victim mentality, which becomes a roadblock to happiness. Choosing to forgive brings peace and helps us use that energy to move forward positively.
3. Faith Over Fear
Fear is a thief that not only steals the happiness of the present but robs us of the joy to come. Faith is a choice to walk with God. When we walk with God, we can trust that he’s in control and smile at the days ahead.
4. Contentment
So many people postpone happiness. They tell themselves that when XYZ happens, they’ll be happy. But happy women have learned to be content with their present circumstances. They haven’t given up on their dreams—they’ve chosen happiness on the way there.
5. Self-Acceptance
Happy women are kind to themselves. They’ve learned to quiet the inner critic and lean into the gifts, personality, and purpose God planted in them. They play to their strengths, work on their weak spots with grace, and embrace the truth that being fully themselves is exactly what their family needs them to be.
6. Giving Generously
Doing good appears to be good for you. Experts call it the helper’s high—when endorphins flood the body from doing for others, making us happy.
7. Enjoying Hobbies
Hobbies like gardening, cooking, or crafting are great for channeling passions and are gifts for sheer enjoyment. They help us de-stress and often connect us to a community that shares our passion. And remember, hobbies aren’t must-do’s—they’re get-to’s, which generate happiness.
8. Cheering Instead of Comparing
Comparing ourselves to others highlights what we don’t have and can lead us to envy what someone else has. Happy women turn comparison on its head by cheering others on. That kind of authentic encouragement always creates deeper joy for the person doing the encouraging.
9. Self-Care
Self-care includes taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally. This includes exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. It’s filling your emotional love tank. When we’re emotionally and physically nourished, we have a greater sense of well-being and are happier.
10. Saying No
Over-committing to activities and demands only leads to exhaustion and quickly saps our joy. Learning to say no is a wise habit that happy women share to preserve their capacity for what matters most and brings the most happiness.
What is one step you can take this week to cultivate happiness?
If you need a reminder of these happy habits, here’s a free printable!
