Unlock Happiness by Taking Yourself Less Seriously
Long ago, I discovered that the key to happiness lies in not taking myself too seriously. Taking myself less seriously has unlocked a world of bliss in my life. I want to share with you three techniques that I use to take myself less seriously.
In my early 20s, I experienced a severe episode of depression. I didn’t realize at the time that I had bipolar disorder.
During that challenging season, my roommate encouraged me to dance.
Dance Like No One's Watching to Take Yourself Less Seriously
My roommate would turn on Miranda Lambert’s I Can’t Be Bothered and we would dance like no one was watching. Sometimes life is hard. During those times where I feel like just can’t be bothered, I’ll turn on that song and dance.
It doesn’t matter how intense my problem— everything seems a little lighter when you are dancing to country music.
Country may not be your thing, but find out what is and dance. You may feel silly at first, but that’s kind of the point.
Watch TV with No Regrets for Happiness
I used to deem TV as too trivial for my time but I would never say that now.
My favorite comedy sitcoms provide much needed laughter and they also remind me to look on the lighter side of life. The best way to learn how to take yourself less seriously is to observe someone who has mastered that art.
If you aren’t sure where to start, I recommend watching any show with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt are all amazing.
Find a Hobby Even If You Fail at It to Take Yourself Less Seriously
My final advice for taking yourself less seriously might sound a little odd. I advise everyone I know to find a hobby that you enjoy even if you fail at it. Find something you're terrible at, but love to do. Enjoy it. Enjoy the freedom that comes with not having to be the best. This will help fight against this stress that comes with perfectionism.
Karaoke used to be my favorite hobby. Every Wednesday I would go to this dive bar with my co-workers and sing my heart out. I am completely tone deaf and have no rhythm whatsoever. But man, did I love those karaoke nights.
I also like to sew. My stitches are always a little off, and to be honest, so am I. But those crooked stitches remind me that life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.
This week I encourage you to take time to dance, watch silly TV shows and do something you enjoy that you don’t have to perfect at. I encourage you to enjoy simply being you. Take yourself a little less seriously and in doing so you will likely find a lot more bliss.
APA Reference
Hoskin, A.
(2015, May 19). Unlock Happiness by Taking Yourself Less Seriously, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 5 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/livingablissfullife/2015/05/unlock-happiness-by-taking-yourself-less-seriously
Author: Arley Hoskin, CMPS
i learned to laugh more and worry less. This article was interesting
Happiness as complex and positive emotional performance indicates a subjective experience. It is very important psychological factor to have got good and solid mental health statement. In consequence, happiness contribute to maintain satisfying global wellness as predictor of successful and useful subject in social milieu. But real life is overloaded with many stressful events that compromise seriously the feeling of happiness. So, we are to constrain the sense of unhappiness as counterpart of happiness. In this critical point, we ought to make efforts to strength positive emotional discharge, instead of negative ones. In this favor inclination, your three activities are welcomed, because the numbers of depressed people is in rapid augmentation. For me, these and others pleasing psycho-motoric performances are helpful tool to overcome the tedious emotional experience. Therefore, let's surmount daily troubles in active manner on relaxation mood.