How can I be happy alone? 3 tips

“Make a happy life for yourself. No one will ever know how to do it except you.”
― Mitta Xinindlu

How can I be happy without any friends?

I remember watching my two baby nephews playing together. Their faces shone like fireflies, and the house was filled with the sweetest laughter. I loved the way they chuckled at each other. But a sudden feeling of uneasiness came over me. I knew that before long they would be separated. I wondered how they would feel without each other. I made mention of the matter to my brother. I told him that his son would cry when my other nephew isn't around.

His response left me dumbfounded. He told me that his son knows how to enjoy his own company. So, my other nephew's absence would never deter his happiness. It was something to think about. Many of us have been asking ourselves this question. How can I be happy alone? We have hinged our happiness on other people, and our worse fear is, can we ever be happy without them?

Happiness is an inside job. It is your responsibility to find the key to your happiness and keep it. This doesn't have to feel like rocket science or searching for a needle in a haystack. Don't convince yourself that this is too much work for you, so someone else should take on the job. No one knows you better than you do. You have been living with yourself all your life. The people in your life can only add to your happiness; they can never make you truly happy. Below I'll share a few tips with you.

1. Happiness isn't the absence of problems.

People who are happy with their lives aren't people without problems. Happiness is a temporary emotion. Those who are happy do experience, sadness, grief, pain, and loss. Even to the greatest extent. If you're waiting for a time in your life, when there isn't a problem, and you can finally be happy, your wait is in vain. Life is filled with the inevitable. Your happiness is threatened by so many things that are beyond your control. Inflation, natural disasters, joblessness, tragedies in the news, etc.

All these are everyday happenings across the globe, yet some people manage to balance the chaos of their daily lives and that of the world, and they are truly happy. The key to finding this kind of happiness isn't waiting for all the chaos to disappear, in fact, it never will. By tomorrow you'll hear that many more lives are lost in war-stricken countries and millions are still living in poverty. But amidst the chaos of everyday life, you should still strive to be happy.

What is it that makes you feel liberated? Singing, dancing, painting, jogging, reading, writing, etc. Dedicate more of your time to those things. What is it that leaves you feeling drained, even if you think about it? Social media, news reports, tabloids, etc. Give little to none of your attention to those things.

“HAPPINESS comes from within. To be happy is to know oneself. It's not in the material things that we own, it's the love we have and show to the world.”
― Angie karan

2. Find your inner child.

Like my baby nephews. We all have an inner child within us. Find the inner child within you. What is it that truly brings joy to your heart? For some people, happiness is about spending quality time with their loved ones, hanging out with friends, going out for ice cream, a movie, or spending a day at the park.

Sure, these are fun things to do, but you can still be happy within the confines of your home if you live alone and you aren't an outgoing person. You could read a book, play some soothing music, do some art and craft, cook a healthy meal, or simply sit on your floor and reflect on some happy moments in your life. There are times when I reminisce on my childhood; those memories truly make me happy.

“We nurture our creativity when we release our inner child. Let it run and roam free. It will take you on a brighter journey.”
― Serina Hartwell

3. Appreciate the little things.

You don't need a lot to be happy. An attitude of gratitude will always make you happy. You may not have all that you'd hope for, but you can still be appreciative of what you have. Gratitude is a constant reminder of how fortunate you are to have all that you've been blessed with. Gratitude will always find a reason for you to be thankful. Ingratitude does the opposite. It's a constant reminder of what you don't have. This often leads to stress and depression. If you want to be happier in life, find more things that you are appreciative of, both great or small.

“Sometimes it takes being left seemingly with nothing to realize that you are everything. To see that you held the key to your own happiness and self-worth and belonging and wholeness all along.”
― Mandy Hale