How to be happy in this difficult time is a nuanced recipe. Focus your energies on what is positive.
Plan ahead, but not so much that you are distracted from any joyous sense of serendipity. Keep your eye on the prize: a happy life with few regrets.
As it happens, I am a fulfilled and happy soul. I will use a series of fashion photos as metaphors and reminders.
How to be happy- Rule one.
Trust your instincts and embrace your self-confidence. This gets easier with age as we hone our priorities to the ones that matter most.
One can see that my outfit is unusual. Perhaps it doesn’t even work. What matters is that you wear what you love, and you set your own rules and boundaries for what your preferences are.
If this outfit doesn’t work, it is okay. Acknowledge that is acceptable to make a mistake. Oops, this is not my best look!
Know the direction that you want to go.
Aim high to be your best self; not necessarily your most “liked” self.
Here, of course, I refer to social media, and Instagram in particular.
Eye on the prize – a happy and fulfilled life.
How many things do we take for granted in a single hour? Countless things. A roof, comfortable shelter, a soft bed, a commodious sofa. We take for granted a long hot shower scented with an infinite amount of fragrance. L’OCCINTANE’s Verveine Verbena is my favorite, btw!
Taken for granted are the sumptuous luxurious of dining out.
Being able to sit at a table with an abundant number of options and being served your choice. Steak, veal or lamb? Vegan, Paleo, pescatarian? Gluten free? Tap or bottled water, still or bubbly. Wine, champagne, diet coke? Ok, I believe you get my message.
Fashion is abundant and the choices of what we wear is also too numerous almost to visualize. We can literally tap at a metal envelope and have any time we choose flown to us within 24 hours.
Still all of these choices make us confused. More choices do not lead to more fulfillment . The opposite is true. Many don’t go out to local shops and communicate with neighbors. We can beware of this trend, and try to change it.
Lets live IRL, and smile as we walk. Visit and patronize your local shops. Also, eye contact is great, but a bit of a taboo in Manhattan. I do it anyway!
When considering how to be happy, please be open to opportunities to engage with others. Speak to an elderly person on the street. It may be the only conversation they will have.
Share time with friends. Dare to be silly !
Give back a bit by shopping for items from charity stores. I was at Housing Works yesterday and met a lovely woman who sported this incredible stack bracelets and watches.
Some definite Cartier going on, but that is not where the shine is. The shine is always the expression of creativity. While she was totally unpretentious in manner, I will share her fabulous and creative stack. Note the rubber bracelet too.
I am all for piling it on as you know!
Appreciate the abundance of fresh and organic fruit.
Stop to appreciate the flowers, sunshine and moonlight. Even the rain is magical.
BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT!
Notice what is around you. Be ready to laugh!
Appreciate the light and shadow of water on a long summer day.
Natural objects are free! Take in the sight of them and enjoy the marvel of nature.
Speak up when it is important.
Wake up and smell the coffee! Also add fresh cinnamon .
Be inclusive. Share time with others who have different views. Lets choose not be so divided.
Dance in the streets!
Don’t fear getting older. Instead, embrace the milestones that age represents.
Dare to sparkle ! Shine bright at any age.
Consider your actions and the consequences they may have for our neighbors and children. You do not want to regret your actions as time marches on. Read this post on recycling!
Support local artisans and enjoy the personal touch of the hand-made craft of a talented person.
Artful and natural beauty is everywhere we look. Drink it in.
Beautiful things are within everyone’s budget, when you shop second hand! Enjoy the things you own.
Below my three dollar bag!
Bubbly pink clutch purchased for $5.00!
Be playful and unpredictable !
You are more than the image in your mirror !
When things get difficult , don’t turn your back.
If you find yourself being too busy to spend time with friends and family, then STOP!
Don’t forget your spiritual side.
The game of life is full of twists and turns. Bring your A game by being kind !
Nothing feels better than practicing kindness and getting a sincere smile in return!
This is my own guide of how to be happy, and likely it is different than yours.
So please share your happiness secrets !
—— XOXO, Elle ——
OMG Elle, this is a blogpost that touches me right in the soul and the heart! Beautiful photos, great tips, mindful motivation. Like you, I am very aware of how precious time is, how precious life. Like you, I am looking for ways to add more happiness in life. One tip I can share with you and your readers is to start writing a thankfulness diary. It will help you focus on what you have got in life, it will help you change & grow. Your more positive mindset will affect you and the people around you, since positivity is… Read more »
Such a lovely and empowering post! So many things to be grateful for indeed!! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
What a wonderfully uplifting post! I was despairing today. And then suddenly I wasn’t. I do know that creativity, eye contact, and conversation are great for pulling me into the good things of the here and now. And caffeine. There is generosity of spirit out there, everywhere, if we initiate contact. I’ll try to stay away from the news for a while too. Thanks, Elle, for this rundown.
You bring up such good points, Elle.
Did you ever see the FB post that this one church put together how we are so blessed? Everything that we should feel so grateful for yet take for granted was wrapped like a gift. Our kids, our clean water, our food. It’s all amazing how much we have to say thank you for each and every day!!
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
love the “being Present”! great blog post!
kelseybang.com
4allthingsdisney.com
I agree with everything you said. I think being present in the moment and fully living in it without thinking about the past/future makes me extra happy.
http://www.fashionradi.com
I love this inspirational post dear.
This is something we should think about.
Much Love,
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE
I loved this. So much great advice and style.
Suzanne
http://www.suzannecarillo.com
Wow! I’ve got the message! Haha. Luckily I don’t take everything for granted. I appreciate the little beauties around us , and the big ones! Beautiful post and fabulous photos!
What a touching and ultimately very happy post, Elle. Surrounding yourself with beautiful things, enjoying the simple things, laughing and daring to be silly sound like the best advice ever. That, and not being afraid of growing older, embracing the advantages every age brings! xxx
Morning Elle,
This was a beautiful post and sentiment. I so agree and need to concentrate on the positives and daily am grateful for things and family. Beautiful pictures and you know I love your fashion sense. It is so important to be thankful for things in life, and choose to be joyful. Living in the moment is key!
Have a wonderful week, my friend!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Soooo many great looks here, you really do have excellent style. Happiness is a strange thing. Honestly I do not think I fully comprehend it. Though I have experienced happy moments. Hahaha, confidence too. I thought of doing a vlog callled “How To Be a Vlogger When You Don’t Like The Way You Look, Move or Sound” bruuahaha
Allie Mackin
http://www.allienyc.com
I love this post so much, Elle – it’s such a timely reminder to slow down, live in the moment, be appreciative, attentive and mindful – and thankful!
I think one thing that people often forget is that happiness is not a constant to be achieved, but is a temporary state, like any emotion. It is found in the small moments of beauty, of interaction, of connection with others and with ourselves.
Lovely pictures (I adore your leopard bag and your snake belt!).
Yes, that is an excellent point Sheila, I am glad you added that. Life is full of ups and downs and we would not enjoy the peaks without the valleys!
But a good perspective helps cope with the latter and enhances the former ! Gratitude is under rated!
xo, Elle
What an awesome post Elle! 🙂 So much great advice, and such lovely pictures to go with it. As always, I am loving each and every one of your accessories! 🙂
Hope you’re having a lovely week 🙂 We finally have some cooler autumn weather – I got to wear jeans yesterday!
Away From The Blue
Hurrah on wearing jeans!
xo, Elle
Indeed, you are right with every word. Gosh you have lovely things. And there is that leopard bag again haha.
I think your outfit at the top is splendid. works really well.
Most of the others I have seen and applauded.
Greetje
I am so glad you think so. The jacket I am wearing is borrowed from a friend!Have a great week ahead my friend!
xo, Elle
This such a lovely and inspiring posts.
And your pics are great too.
Ann
https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/
Thanks you very much Ann!
xo, Elle
Such a beautiful post! I have been kind of down lately and this post definitely made me realize I need to be more grateful.
x,
S | Je M’appelle Chanel
Thanks so much. Up and down is the way life goes!
xo, Elle
Elle, thank you for a most inspiring and uplifting post! It has made my day and it is only 7:44 am. 🙂
I am so glad and am so impressed ! At that time I roller over and sleep a bit more!
xo, Elle
Thank you for this, Elle! What a wonderful post to save and read over and over. You write beautifully about all the big and small things we may take for granted. Life is good. xox