6 Steps To Be Happy

I’m always “hiding” Facebook posts and updating privacy settings because I just don’t want my newsfeed to be filled with garbage. I guard my everyday life the same way. There are several steps I unknowingly took to get to a place I call “Happy.” Don’t shoot the messenger if this doesn’t work for you. 😎

1. I don’t talk to everybody ✋🏾🙅🏾🙊 I’ve secretly placed folks into categories. Family, friends, foes, co-workers - WHOEVER! 🤷🏾‍♀️ If the majority of a person’s conversation is negative and/or drama-filled 🚫 — I can’t. I’ll be honest - I flat out ignore some phone calls. I’ll send a “wassup” text instead of answering a call. I’ve worked hard to bury my bad attitude; I can’t afford to let someone else dig it back up. Oh and I use my phone’s “block this person” option frequently. Nifty feature. 2. I don’t watch everything 🚫👀📺 Not-so-reality TV was my go-to for a while. My boyfriend fussed at me for watching so much drama and letting the ridiculousness seep into my soul. Pretty soon I caught myself using deplorable phrases that were common in such shows. Mannerisms would soon follow. I didn’t want to admit it but he was right. 😒🙄😒 I dropped those shows like the bad habit they were. I try to watch DIY and other shows geared towards my passion— with a sprinkle of shows like “Power” that I can’t seem to get enough of. Baby steps folks....baby steps. 👣👣👣👶🏾 3. I spend time with people/go places that remind me how good life is❤️❤️❤️ I’m a mom so doing this is easy for me. When my day is dragging I’ll start sending memes to my 14 year old or grab an “over the phone” kiss from my 9 year old. 💋💋And if cookie butter, time with the kids or a nap can’t fix it - it’s road trip time! 🚗🚗🚗🚗Look. I will charge me a “get my mind right” vacation if I don’t have the cash on hand. A positive mental space is so important. You can’t be your best YOU without it. 4. I get away from work when needed ✌🏽✌🏽 So often we “time” our freedom and schedule by waiting until the weekend to take much needed getaways. But the way my problems are set up, I can’t always wait. I’ve had some manic Monday’s. Don’t feel bad for taking off a few weekdays! Vacate! Escape! ✈️🚆🚖Take a couple of days off work - regardless of what’s “due.” It will be “double-due” when you return. Sometimes you need to spend a few nights away from the house just to rest in a place where there are no dishes to wash and no clothes fold. You’ll be glad you did! 👍🏾 5. I journal! 📒📒📒📒 We believe what’s in black and white - from bank statements to monthly bills. Write down your problems and potential solutions alongside each other. I know it sounds juvenile but it’s a reminder that progress if a process. Conquer your mammoth responsibilities by chomping them down into small doable goals. Keep them I’m one place — your journal.🗓 Pretty soon you’ll have a roadmap outlining how much you’ve overcome thereby thrusting you to keep pushing. Oh and don’t fault yourself if you don’t journal daily. You’ll eventually become one with your journal if it’s really utilized as a “goal” mine. 6. I SAY NO! Unapologetically. 🚫🚫🚫🚫🚫 If you don’t retain anything else away from this list PLEASE remember the word “NO!” For so long I haaaaaaaaad to help everybody, support everything, and be the “yes” girl. But NOpe! NOt aNymOre! NOt me! I use “NO” often! I NOw put my immediate family and OUR needs, goals AND dreams first! I stopped bad practices [that created more turmoil than good] cold turkey! 🦃🦃🦃I don’t let people borrow money 💰💳💵so I can’t get upset when they don’t pay it back. I’ve been known to pay a bill directly from time to time - if I can - if I’m led to. But if I don’t have it or don’t feel led to do it — I don’t feel one bit bad anymore. No guilt trip here! My earnings are divided by three- between me and my two boys and WE come first. That’s it for now! This list will grow just as I hope to. And when you know better and grow bigger you do better and bigger things!