How to: Be Happier

We all have those moments in our lives where we think that nothing is going right and it won't get better and we'll be sad forever don't we. I've had my fair share of them, but I'm still smiling and happy with my life :) Here are some of the ways that I stay happy, even when I've had a rough time.


1. Surround yourself with people who build you up not tear you down
I've been lucky enough to be blessed with friends who accept me for who I am and make me feel like I can take on the world. I can say that surrounding myself with those people has made my school experience and what I've lived so far, so enjoyable. If you have friends who pressure you to do things that you don't want to do, or if they make you feel unimportant and worthless, then trust me... they're not worth your time. Everyone deserves to be loved, so make sure you're around people who love you.

2. Be optimistic
Now, I'm not going to lie and say that I'm an optimist all the time because I'm not, but I'm neither an optimist or a pessimist... I'm a realist (curse that Iggy Azalea song). But when it comes to situations where I doubt my abilities or I doubt that things will get better, I like to be optimistic about what will happen in the future. It's like that saying 'fake it 'til you make it'- if you think that things will get better, then you'll begin to believe it after a while. There's nothing more triumphant than proving yourself wrong, and thinking positively.

3. Listen to happy music
This is one of the best ways I stay happy. I like to listen to songs that make me want to jump around and dance and sing around the house with my friends, family and even my dogs. If you listen to happy songs then it boosts your mood. Proven fact.... (I think :P) Here are a few that I love:
- "Gotta Keep Smiling" by Scouting for Girls
- "Upside Down" by Tori Kelly
- "Keep Your Head Up" by Andy Grammer
- "She's So Lovely" by Scouting for Girls
- "Dreaming" by Smallpools

4. Doing what you love
Personally, I love playing tennis and spending time with friends, so that's what I do to stay happy. Doing what you love to do instead of what you hate doing will completely change your mood and make you a happier person. If a job you have makes you sad or you absolutely hate it, then find another job that you'll like better.

5. Forget what others think and just do you
I still struggle with this sometimes, as everyone does, but lately I've been a lot less concerned with what others think of me and I've just been doing what I love and not caring what others think of me. Social media has literally poisoned our minds thinking that we need to look a certain way, and act a certain way in front of people to be loved. But honestly, that is a complete lie. Have you ever noticed that you are so much happier when you let loose and forget who's watching? I have. I used to be so caught up in the lives of others that I neglected myself, and believed that I needed to be a certain way to be loved. But since then I've looked up and seen that I have friends who love me for me and they might not be there if I didn't be myself. Just do you boo (lol I felt so silly writing that but it't true!)

Those are just a few of many ways that you can be happier you. They've helped me so hopefully they'll help you too! :)

-Tianah xo

John Green's books give me life...

Hello!

I wanted to take the time to confess my love for John Green's writing... A little strange, but until you read just one of his book, you will not understand :P

Lets take a trip into my past...
Last year some time I was in PCG (home room) at school and my friend Emily told me that she was reading this amazing book called 'The Fault in Our Stars' by this guy, John Green. I thought, eh this isn't a book I'd enjoy since I tend to read books about dystopian worlds were the characters lives are at risk from some fiction event. But I decided that it might be nice to read something different for a change, so I bought the book and began to read. I personally don't read too fast, maybe a book in 2 weeks if I like it; but this book I read in just one week. It was incredible and amazing, and I was left wanting more.

So what else could I do to satisfy this 'want' of mine, than to read another of John Green's books... or should I say masterpieces?

I read 'Paper Towns.'.. In 3 days... It was so good!! The tale of a boy pining for a girl who has disappeared mysteriously, leaving clues for him to find her. How could someone not be intrigued by this, 'cause I certainly was! I even convinced my little sister to read it and she loved it just as much :D

Next was 'Looking For Alaska', which again, was MAGICAL! Learning the life of an average teenage boy at a new boarding school, where he meets a cool bunch of friends who include him. Then each of them destroyed emotionally when tragedy strikes, and they learn to cope with what's happened and learn life lessons. This book was so emotional and I loved it! One quote that stuck with me from 'Looking For Alaska' was "If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane" which is so powerful and shows the power of love.

Anyway, the point of this post was to bring to your attention the brilliance of John Green and his books. If you haven't read them, read them. If you have read them, read them again. They're too good to not be read.

JOHN GREEN'S BOOKS GIVE ME LIFE :)

- Tianah xo