I Attribute My Happiness to These Key Factors

I'm not continuously happy, but I can say with assurance that I am in a positive mind-state most of the time.

I still feel fear, anger, and sadness on occasion, but for the most part, I am a happy person, for the first time in years.

For the first time ever, really.

My partner is a "naturally" happy person. Or so I always assumed. I used ot ask him why he didn't worry about things, and why he was hardly ever sad or unhappy, and he always told me the same thing.

He chose not to worry about anything he couldn't control.

I was convinced I didn't have any control over my emotions, that it wasn't even possible.

But finally, I just decided to try things his way.

I learned how to stop worrying all the time, about everything. It took a while to get the hang of relaxing, ignoring triggers, and consciously choosing to not worry.

But somehow, I managed to succeed.

It's definitely a complete change in mindset, and how I view the world.

I let things go. I acknowledge bad things exist, but I accept, too, that I can't change things out in the world, and I can't change people.

Contentment and a general feeling of well-being naturally follow.

There has to be something to fill that gap that's left over.

I'm sure there are technicalities at play here, having to do with dopamine and endorphins, and other weird things like that.

But to me, it's a spiritual thing. Not that I can really describe it in a spiritual way.

For now, without understanding, I just accept things how they are.

I make goals and plans, but I don't worry about outcomes. I just do and try, and I accept whatever happens in the end, because I realize I have no control over it.

At first this reallly bothered me.

Until it become freeing instead.

Now I am happy to let the Universe do whatever it wants, I'll just sit back, do my thing, and enjoy the show.

If things go wrong, I just shrug my shoulders and move on.

Another factor to my new-found happiness is music.

I've started to spend a lot more time listening to my favorite songs, watching videos, and singing along.

I even dance a little, when no one is in the room.

Because it really does feel good.

I can't sing or dance, but I don't care. It might embarrass me a little if someone walks in the room unexpectedly, but I would just laugh about it and move on.

I've found a new way to enjoy music too.

Reaction videos on YouTube.

It's interesting and fun to see how the younger generations respond to the music of my generation (Gen X).

I've noticed that music is apparently universally appealing, because thier favorites are mostly my favorites too.

I've also found that the new generations actually have some good music too. Especially the acapella groups, and the groups and individuals who do covers of old songs with unusual instruments for those songs. I find some of the new music and artists really interesting and full of talent.

Having a lot of fun hobbies helps as well.

Right now, I have five or six hobbies that I enjoy that I cycle through as I get bored with one, so I always have something fun or interesting to fill my time.

I've noticed that when I'm alone with my thoughts too much, I tend to dwell lon the negative, things from the past,and things I have no control over.

So I keep busy with enjoyable things, and I spend time with my loved ones and my dog as much as possible.

Oh yes, and get a dog!

They really are man's best friend for a reason.