It’s a common feeling to can’t remember being happy. Maybe you had a great childhood, and memories are just buried under the years. Maybe you were never really happy, and you can’t imagine what that feels like.
Whatever the reason, it’s not unusual to feel like you can’t remember being happy.
There are ways to work on this. If you want to try and remember happier times, one approach is to write down three things that made you happy each day for two weeks. This will help train your brain to focus on the positive.
What Is Happiness?
Happiness is a state of mind. It’s a choice. It’s not something that just happens to us. It’s something we have to create for ourselves.
Happiness is often thought of as a destination. We think that once we achieve certain things or reach certain milestones, we’ll finally be happy. But happiness is not a destination. It’s a journey. It’s the way we live our lives from moment to moment, day by day.
True happiness comes from living in the present moment and savoring all the small joys that life has to offer. It’s about being grateful for what we have instead of always longing for what we don’t have. It’s about finding beauty in everyday moments and learning to appreciate the simple things in life.
If you want to be happy, start by focusing on all the small beautiful moments in life. If there’s not enough of it, then you should go on and create more.
Why you can’t remember being happy
It’s not uncommon to feel like you can’t remember being happy. In fact, research has shown that we tend to forget the good times and dwell on the bad. There are a number of reasons why this happens.
One reason is that our brains are hardwired to pay more attention to negative experiences. This is because, from an evolutionary standpoint, it’s more important to remember things that could hurt us than things that make us feel good. Another reason is that positive experiences often don’t last as long as negative ones. So even if we do have a happy memory, it may not stay with us as long as a bad one.
Finally, happiness is often elusive and fleeting. We may have moments of joy, but they can be difficult to hold onto and remember later.
Here are the main reasons why you can’t remember being happy in the past:
- Always anxious about the future: Will I get that big promotion? Will my relationship last? What if I can’t make ends meet?
- Constantly comparing myself to others and feeling like I’m not good enough.
- Always worried about making mistakes and screwing up.
- Locked in the negative memories from the past.
- I’m very hard on myself, and my standards are always incredibly high.
- I get easily overwhelmed and stressed out by everything that’s going on in my life.
- I often feel like I’m not good enough or like I don’t deserve happiness.
- I’m usually pretty stressed out about work, school, or other obligations.
- I don’t have a lot of time for leisure activities or socializing.
- I often feel lonely and isolated from others.
- I’m not really satisfied with my current situation in life.
- I have a lot of regrets about things that have happened in the past.
- I’m not very optimistic about the future and what it might hold for me.
- I’m too busy worrying.
- I’m too focused on my appearance: Do I look fat in this outfit? Is my hair doing that weird thing again? Why can’t I get rid of these wrinkles?
How to remember more happiness in life
Happiness is a state of mind, and like all states of mind, it can be forgotten. When we’re in a state of happiness, we’re not thinking about being happy – we’re just enjoying the moment. But when we’re not in a state of happiness, it can be difficult to remember what it feels like.
Here are some tips for remembering more happiness in your life:
1. Set realistic goals for yourself.
When we set realistic goals, we’re more likely to achieve them because we’re not putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves. We can also feel proud of ourselves when we accomplish something that we’ve worked hard for. So instead of chasing after an unrealistic dream, focus on setting goals that are achievable and will make you happy.
2. Schedule time for things that make you happy.
Whether it’s taking a dance class, going for a nature walk, or reading your favorite book, carve out time each day to do something that makes you happy. You’ll feel more balanced and grounded and better able to handle whatever life throws your way.
3. Help others whenever you can and feel good about making a difference in someone else’s life.
When you see someone struggling, offer to help them. It could be something as simple as carrying their groceries for them or helping them fix a flat tire. Whatever it is, you’ll feel good knowing you made a difference in someone’s life.
4. Live in the present moment as much as possible.
One way to stay present is to focus on your senses. What do you see, hear, smell, taste, and feel right now? Appreciate the small things and be grateful for what you have instead of dwelling on what you don’t have. Another way to stay in the moment is to take things one step at a time and savor each experience instead of rushing through life. It’s not always easy to live in the present, but it’s worth it to focus on the here and now as much as possible.
5. Don’t compare yourself to others and focus on your own journey.
It can be easy to look at other people and think they have it all together, but we all have our own struggles and challenges. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your own journey and what makes you happy.
Everyone has their own unique path to follow, and there is no point in comparing yourself to someone else. It’s important to stay focused on your own journey and what brings you happiness.
6. Keep a gratitude journal.
When it comes to happiness, sometimes it’s the little things that count. One way to keep track of the good in your life is to start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you’re thankful for—big or small. At the end of the week, look back on your entries and reflect on the positive aspects of your life.
It can be easy to get caught up in negative thinking, but a gratitude journal can help shift your focus to the positive. When you take time each day to recognize what’s good in your life, you’ll start to see more reasons to be happy. So give it a try—you might just find yourself feeling more cheerful than ever before.
7. Spend more time with loved ones
Whether it’s setting aside regular date nights with our partner, planning weekend outings with our friends, or simply taking a few moments each day to connect with our family members, spending time with those we care about is crucial for maintaining our happiness.
When we make an effort to connect with others, we not only feel happier ourselves, but we also strengthen our relationships. These strong relationships are one of the key predictors of happiness, so by investing time in them, we are investing in our own well-being.
8. Truly accept yourself and understand you are enough
So many people go through life feeling like they’re not good enough. They think that if they could just be thinner/prettier/smarter/richer, then they would finally be happy. But the truth is happiness comes from within. It starts with accepting yourself for who you are, right here and right now. It’s about understanding that you are enough, just as you are.
When you learn to truly accept yourself, it’s amazing how much your life can change. You start to see all the things that are good about you instead of dwelling on the negatives. You become more confident and secure in who you are. And as a result, you attract more positive things into your life. People are drawn to those who radiate happiness and self-acceptance.
9. Exercise for happy hormones
Exercise isn’t just good for your physical health – it’s good for your mental health, too. Regular exercise has been shown to improve mood and decrease stress. It can also help to combat anxiety and depression.
So how does exercise work to improve our mood? One theory is that it helps to release endorphins, which are hormones that have a positive effect on our mood. Endorphins are sometimes referred to as “happy hormones.” They work by binding to receptors in the brain and reducing the perception of pain. Endorphins also have a calming effect and can help to improve our sense of well-being.
Another way that exercise may help to improve our mood is by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in regulating mood. Low levels of serotonin are thought to be linked with depression.
10. Go for a thrilling adventure
Sometimes life can feel like one big, boring routine. If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, it might be time to go on an adventure. Doing something new and exciting can help you break out of your normal routine and give you a much-needed sense of thrill.
There are plenty of ways to add some adventure to your life. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you might want to try bungee jumping or skydiving. For something a little less intense, you could take a road trip to a place you’ve never been before or go camping in the wilderness. If you’re looking for a mental challenge, you could learn a new language or start practicing meditation.
Whatever type of adventure you choose, make sure it’s something that will push you outside of your comfort zone.
11. Understand your value and happiness
It’s easy to forget what happiness feels like when you’ve been unhappy for a while. If you’re not sure how to find happiness again, start by understanding your own value. That means learning to love and appreciate yourself, setting boundaries with others, and living in alignment with your deepest values.
When you know your own worth, you won’t settle for anything less than what makes you happy. You’ll be more likely to speak up for yourself, say no to things that don’t interest you and pursue the things that bring you joy. And when you make happiness a priority, it will become easier and more natural over time.
A word from Charismatic Persona
Happiness is a state of mind that can be achieved by cherishing every moment in life. It’s not about material possessions or achieving goals, but rather enjoying the journey and savoring the small moments. Life is too short to spend it worrying about what could have been or what’s yet to come. So, focus on the present moment, and you will find that happiness has always been there.