5 ways to fake being Happy until you actually are
The last 6 months of my life have been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster…to say the least! After my Breast Cancer diagnosis in November 2015, my life fell apart in an instant.
Suddenly, everything I loved was under threat. Family life, relationships, my health. Actually being here.
Over the past 6 months, this blog has become my therapy, my outlet and my solace. I’ve documented much of my journey and the many varied emotions that have played out in my mind – fear, anger, gratitude and humour to name but a few.
It hasn’t been easy and I certainly haven’t always felt happy but I’ve done my best to display a positive attitude outwards, in the constant hope that I would convince myself to feel positive too. “Fake it ’til you make it” works for me and I wanted to share my thoughts on ways to fake being happy with you too.
1. Find an outlet
When bad times hit, keeping it bottled up inside is one of the worst things you can do. Find an outlet.
That might be a family member, a best friend, a diary, a blog or a psychologist. Find a person or place where you can share everything that’s going through your mind, all the good, bad and ugly. Someone who won’t judge you, that will let you vent, overshare, get it all out.
Of course I’m not suggesting that you use anyone as a ‘punching bag’ but with their consent, lean on them. They do not need to have all the answers or have the right things to say. They just need to listen.
2. Find something to laugh at
Whether it’s your favourite comedy show, funny YouTube videos or hanging out with a friend who always has you in stitches, laughing is the best therapy for some.
When you’re feeling sad, upset or overwhelmed, it can be so hard to clear your mind of those negative thoughts so try and find something to completely take your mind off it.
Think of a funny story or event that has happened in the past and make that your go-to happy place.
3. Create a Happy Playlist
You know there are some songs that just uplift you, make you smile or make you want to dance on the spot? Well why not pull them all together into a ‘happy playlist’ so you have an instant happy soundtrack to play whenever you need to feel better!
If music isn’t your thing, consider meditation. I meditate often and the process of focusing on my breathing really calms my mind.
4. Sing!
Whilst we’re on the subject of music, crank up that happy playlist and sing along at the top of your lungs!
For me, this is in the shower, doing household chores or on a rare trip to a karaoke booth! Singing is such therapy and you don’t need to be any good at it to feel the benefits.
So pick up your hairbrush and sing, sing, sing!
5. Make someone else happy
Although it’s sometimes hard to stop focusing on whatever is making you feel down, try and think of a way to cheer up a friend who might also be going through a tough time.
Give them a call to see how they’re doing or pop round with their favourite treats. Or create a Happy Playlist just for them!
Doing lovely things for others is often a great way to start feeling better about ourselves and in turn, feel much happier.
All of the above have helped me feel happy when I’ve been at my absolute lowest. I was so aware in the beginning that I was forcing myself at times to put a smile on when I wanted to cry.
Then one day, I realised I just wasn’t pretending any more and I was genuinely happy. There are times when I wane and I revisit the tips above.
If I pretend to smile, fake a laugh or say I’m feeling positive, I might not feel that way on the inside. However I try to accept that whatever I’m going through is just a phase that will pass and genuine happiness is just around the corner.
What are your tips for making yourself feel happy when you’re not?
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I love the way you writing about deep issues in a laidback way. Great tips! i will try to follow them starting from today!
Thank you :)
Great tips and you have had such a great attitude throughout. I am in need of faking it til I make it currently, so I will try these tips! #brilliantblogposts
Thank you lovely and sending you lots of positivity and hope whatever is happening gets much better soon! x x
So many ways to try to be happy, you have been through a lot and sharing it with others is a great thing. Smiling on the outside definitely helps! #brilliantblogposts
Oh thank you so much and you’re right :) x
Wow – you sound an impressive woman! I’m trying the fake it till you make it approach to confidence , with some success ! Thanks for sharing your tips and I hope you continue to go from strength to strength #brillblogposts
Thank you so so much :) x
That’s so lovely, thank you :) x x
Oh Mim you are totally inspirational (you know that right?!) Such fabulous advice huni and I totally agree, you can fake it till you make it and smiling makes such a difference to how you feel. Thanks for linking up to #TheList x
Thank you lovely lady! x x
Amazing woman, and a post I needed at the moment..I had a lump cut out a couple of months ago and the wait and all the biopsies tests etc really took a toll emotionally and I was lucky enough for it not to be BC, but they found something autoimmune instead..so I really admire your strength and grace managing it!I think health worries especially as a mum can drag you down but like you say fake it and sometimes that turns into really happy, just keep swimming as my son says :) Keep fighting on lovely #thelist xxx
Thank you so much lovely and I’m so glad you’re feeling better x the waiting for test results gets me more than anything too. I love your son’s saying! x
You are an inspiration – I don’t know what would happen if I got a bad diagnosis….I think my world would crumble and I’m not sure I could keep positive, even fake positive. I really hope that your cancer is being managed, I’m going to read some more of your posts to find out x
#TheList
Thank you so much – you know, you just sort of get on with it – and no choice with kids :) x
Mim, you are so inspiring. To find a way to be happy, fake or not, when going through what you have is amazing. Great tips. If I’ve got stuff going on that’s making me unhappy I like to spend time reading, loosing myself and my problems in the fictional world for a while xx #TheList
Thank you lovely and I’m the same – reading or watching something to take you into another world for a bit is great therapy :) x
You are so inspiring, to find the happiness when the clouds are grey is never easy. Some great advice, we love to sing in out house always lightens the mood x #TheList
Thanks lovely! I LOVE to sing, I wish my talent matched my enthusiasm for it ha ha! x
I love this – I’m very much someone who gets into ruts of being down and I need to work to be happy again – but then once I’m there it just becomes natural again. You’re an inspiration and I’m always amazed by your positive outlook. #TheList
Thank you lovely lady – and I know exactly what you mean, you sometimes have to really force yourself out of it, which isn’t easy x
Sorry – forgot to add #TheList
This is one of the most inspiring posts I have read. Thank you! I hope you are on the road to recovery very soon. xx
Thank you so much :) x
I can in no way relate to having Cancer, but I know when I was battling depression I found looking at the positives and faking it the best I could a way to try and trick my mind into being a least a little bit happier. May you know how much of an Inspirational woman you truly are xx #thelist
Oh bless you, you are an inspiration!
Thank you so much lovely x
Thank you so much! :)