Happiness Is A Habit

By Brian Maynor

 

Believe it or not, happiness does not come naturally to everyone.

I count myself as one of these people.  Not that we don’t feel happiness or experience it regularly, we just don’t have the natural inclination to see life as a party.  So if you can relate, don’t worry you’re not alone.

Fortunately for us, we can train ourselves to be happy, because after all happiness is a habit, which means it’s also a choice.

So instead of going through life feeling frustrated, angry, helpless, insecure or whatever we can be proactive, engaged and choose to find our own happiness.   Here are some of my favorite habits for happiness:

1.   Slow down.  Not only does my mind tend to race, often the pace of life can have us feeling like a hamster in a wheel, spinning faster and faster until we inevitably fall down.  The funny thing about that, just like the hamster, is that we are controlling the speed of our wheel.  The next time you feel rushed, frantic, or overwhelmed over really nothing, go against your instincts and slow down.

2.    Create rituals.  There are no special formulas for creating a ritual; all you need to do is repeat a series of actions or behaviors regularly.  Whether it’s afternoon coffee outside, a walk through the park, or window-shopping down Devine Street do something that makes you relax and smile.  The key is doing it regularly.

3.    Eat passionately.  When you think about eating lunch, is it something you look forward to or something you have to do?  We’re all guilty of eating mindlessly or on the run; not enjoying our food and sometimes not even remembering what we’ve eaten, but that shouldn’t be the case.  Since we all have to eat several times a day we can all practice loving our food, and eating with relish.

4.    Embrace others, with their permission of course.  Human touch is not something to be underestimated, and it doesn’t hurt that I’m a hugger.  I like to hug people when we say hello and goodbye and as a tactile form of emotional support, but not everyone is like me.  While it can be tricky in a professional setting to go around hugging your colleagues, you can extend a hand, a pat on the back, or on the shoulder as long as observe appropriate boundaries.

5.    Train your brain.  The mind is like a muscle.  We have to stretch, challenge and work it out to keep it in top form.  Whether you like crossword puzzles, brain games, memory tests or logic problems work them into your day.  They are dual purpose, helping you relax and disengage from the day while making your brain better.

Happiness isn’t a feeling that should be regulated to certain times, places or experiences, and it’s not something you either have or not.  Happiness is a mindset that we choose.  And since actions are more powerful than thoughts, we have a greater chance of generating happiness through what we do.

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty.  Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected].  Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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