Forget Deep, Long-Lasting Transformation: 10 Simple Activities that Make Me Insanely Happy

I’ve been a bit crazy in my pursuit of happiness – it’s organized my life over the past decade and is a major part of my days.

Searching for happiness has lead me to scale pyramids and mountains in Mexico and Peru, contort my body into strange positions, sit in silence for an ungodly amount of time, and shed a small ocean of tears in the process of letting go of old thoughts and emotions. I’ve tried many methods – some successful, some not, including just giving up the search. Today, as a life coach and spiritual teacher, I spend much of my time guiding others on their quest to find happiness too.

The kind of happiness I’ve craved isn’t the false smile on my face, everything’s fine (especially when it’s not) kind. I craved deep, long-lasting, authentic inner contentment.

Now, I am happy most of the time (except when… I’m not.)

Admittedly, becoming a happier, more balanced person has taken up a lot of time and energy. Don’t get me wrong, my spiritual quest isn’t all heavy and serious; my spiritual crowd has had some belly-aching hilarious good times.

But when I read Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun, I fell in love her approach of making very small changes that can make a big difference in your happiness quotient. I also appreciated reading about her highly idiosyncratic experiences. Quite simply, her quirks inspired me.

So I decided to screw long-lasting transformation in the name of simple activities that would make me insanely happy and observe the results.

Perhaps my happiness will inspire yours… then pass it on.

Rubin goes about her Happiness Project in a most organized way – questioning what it means to be happy, identifying what makes her happy, and then using a resolution chart to track her progress.

I went a much more fluid route. I spent a few minutes coming up with what happiness means to me.

Having fun, feeling connected to those I love, and creating happy memorable moments ranked at the top of my list.

I used these “guiding principles” to determine what activities I’d undertake. I also decided to “try something new,” to stretch myself outside of my comfort zone (another way to make yourself happy according to Rubin).

Here’s some steps to inspire you:

Step 1: Ask, “What feeling would you like more of in your life that would bring happiness?”

Creativity? Energy? Love? Laughter? These guiding principles help bring meaning to your happiness project.

Now I needed to figure out how to implement my principles in specific, doable activities. Initially I was a bit stumped about what makes me happy. So I thought back to what I used to do and love before husband, baby, career etc. took over my free time. Dancing and art definitely. Getting outside more often. Spending more fun time with said husband and no-longer-a-baby.

Step 2: Brainstorm, “What activities make you happy?”

Let go of what you think should make you happy or what other people like to do. Remember what you loved to do as a child or before life was so busy. Be willing to stretch and try some activities that might be nervous-scary-exciting or you’ve always wanted to do.

Preparation complete, I invited myself to stay on alert for spontaneous opportunities.

Now the real trick to this project is that you have to actually do what’s on your list, not just make a list. That’s where Rubin’s resolution chart comes in. For me, I internally resolved to myself to incorporate at least one of these activities a week into my life. And knowing I’d blog about it helped in the accountability department too.

So the last step, quite simply, is:

Step 3:  Do it.
Over the past month or so, I’ve had much more fun, made some good memories, and felt a deeper connection to my loved ones. I stretched myself – and not just in yoga positions.

All of my happiness activities encouraged me to do what I normally wouldn’t and prioritize what’s important to me. Daily doses of happiness cause me to feel, well, happier and more in balance.

Hmmm… all of that that sounds a whole lot like what I counsel my clients to do when creating deep-long lasting transformation in their lives.

Whether you’re more of a deep long-lasting transformation guy or gal or a happy activity/happy life one (or some combo of both), rock on. You are the one who is in charge of your happiness.

If you are happy, the world benefits. Far from being selfish in pursuing happiness, happy people more positively contribute to their world. According to Rubin, happy people tend to be more cooperative, less self-centered, more willing to help others, more patient, forgiving, energetic, and generous.

When you make yourself happy, you spread some good vibes out into our world. And our world could definitely use it!

HAVE FUN…

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The 10 Activities That Make Me Insanely Happy:  

1. Zumba!

I’ve always loved to dance. I even used to take Bodhi to dance class in a sling and both he and all the other ladies loved it. Once he got too big to hold for a 45 minute class, I stopped dancing. Asking myself, “What did I love to do before Bodhi?” sparked me to search out a Zumba class.  Zumba’s described as an exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow (well, kind of), Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance fitness-party. I was in. 

Helpful hint: On the Zumba website, you can search for a class in your area. After a few false starts (I highly recommend calling and confirming the class is still running before you go), I found Zumba with Danielle.  Look at a quick video of my shaking my booty at one of my first classes – don’t laugh!

(Stop back soon for the next installment on Meghan's Happiness List!)

MEGHAN GILROY is a transformative life coach and spiritual teacher who inspires others to bring more daily joy and happiness into their otherwise busy lives. Meghan offers blogs and free teachings to support you on your journey on her website www.meghangilroy.com.  

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