What makes you happy?
Is it the new Jeep Wrangler you’ve bought? Is it the Miami Beach house you own? Is it the latest iPhone you’ve recently purchased? Sure! All these possessions make you happy at one point in your life, but its happiness isn’t long-lived. And why do you think this is?
Well, happiness is not about what you own, rather it results from your actions. A small act of kindness can turn into something extremely fulfilling. Frankly, there is no specific answer to how you find happiness. But there are day-to-day actions you can perform that can create happiness and make your life more fulfilling. By taking some key points from our simple formula for living poster you can experience this happiness. We’ve created this guide to help you and the surrounding people lead a happy life.
If you already know you want to download or print out high-resolution versions of the two posters found below, head to the Simple Formula for Living Poster download in our courses section.
The Simple Formula for Living
Live beneath your means
You don’t have to keep up with the Kardashians to have a quality life. In fact, living a lifestyle like this can produce immense amounts of debt that can be extremely tough to get out of. Living beneath your means encourages you to avoid financial ruin and will help you find the peace that comes with financial freedom.
Return everything you borrow
Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated. You don’t have to hold on to something you borrowed from your friend or neighbor. Return it so they can know they can trust you. When you take something and you don’t return, you’re creating a crack in your life that won’t heal until you’ve made things right, no matter how small it is. Plus, if you don’t feel you need to buy something, you shouldn’t have that item in your home. Borrowing allows you to get something you need for just the moment you need it. That way it won’t take up space in your home or your life.
Give clothes not worn to charity
As Maya Angelou said, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” When you are done helping yourself with your clothing, don’t just throw away what you don’t wear anymore, take them to a charity organization, and donate them. This is also great if you are just starting your minimalist journey as you will be getting rid of many different items. Try to find new homes for them other than the trash.
Do something nice and try not to get caught
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “what are you doing for others?” Martin Luther King, Jr was right. Do nice things to people but don’t seek recognition for it. Donate to a charity and expect nothing in return.
Listen more, talk less
“If speaking is silver, then listening is gold.”
This Turkish proverb insists there’s more value in listening rather than talking, which is true. Listen more talk less should guide you when having a conversation with your friends, boss or family members. The more you listen and talk less, you get to understand other people’s perspectives on different aspects of life. Also, you can start to appreciate other people’s opinions. Doing this will not only reward you with wisdom but will also transform you and your relationships.
Take a 30-minute walk every day
Your best ideas rarely come when you open an email, rush to meet the 5 p.m. deadline or strain to make your voice heard in a high-stress meeting. They come when you bathe, walk your dog, or swing in a hammock. Set time aside every day and take a short walk, meditate, or do something else to clear your mind. This also can reduce depression and stress.
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Do something nice and try to strive for excellence. You don’t have to be perfect but try your best. If you make a mistake, don’t worry! Accept that life isn’t fair, even when you try to do something good sometimes it doesn’t work out, we all make mistakes. Learn to move on. What’s important is that you try.
Take time to be alone
Sometimes we get caught with trying not to be lonely, that we constantly surround ourselves with the wrong people and things (or they are good people and things but too much of anything can become unhealthy). However, taking time to be alone will help you work out who you are, your thoughts, emotions, and how you perceive certain things. This can be worked into your daily walks or meditations, or it can be done on a weekly or monthly scale. Take a weekend trip by yourself, take yourself out to get coffee, just do something you love on your own and allow you to do some soul searching.
Final Verdict
If you find this advice impressive, create a simple formula for living print and pop it up on your fridge with a magnet. This way you can always look at it every time you open your fridge to get yourself milk, juice or fruits. Also, share with your friends and family so they get to lead a happy life too.
Take your pick from any of the posters designs above or below, download the high resolution versions to print.
