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Pamper Yourself

Gone are the days when self-pampering was considered overly indulgent, self-aggrandizing or narcissistic, right? Well, if those days aren’t quite gone for you, hopefully they will...

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Michael Anthony

Michael Anthony

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Tim Ferriss

Entrepreneur and best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek

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M.J. Ryan

Creator of the Random Acts of Kindness series

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Your Happiness Goal

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Your ultimate goal may be to become happier—but what the heck does that mean, anyway?

Think about what it would take for you to feel happy. Is it spending more time with your children? Is it getting in shape? Is it being successful at your job or giving up your present job to pursue another? Spend some time exploring what you want in your life.

Once you get some ideas, start a happiness journal. Don't censor your ideas; write down anything that comes to mind. Then, think about which ones may be attainable over the next 30 days. If they seem too large, try to break them down into smaller "being happier bits" that can be achieved over the next month. If you’re unsure about which goals will provide the most happiness—look at what made you happy in the past. And if you’re still struggling to define what makes you happy, don’t worry. These things take time!

Your journey toward happier living will likely have some bumps in the roads or uncertainties, but that's where your journal comes in—it's a reminder of your goals and thoughts to help you reach them.

Posted: 11/21/09
rose84

I know from experience, that when you feel depressed you have to get out of the house, go anywhere, just to be around people, and get your mind off yourself, I use to just go to thrift stores and look around, and sure enough, it would lift my depression, just to break the routine of being in the house alone., try it , it might help.

  • By rose84
  • on 6/28/09 1:50 PM EST
carlie

I'm an electrologist. When I moved back to NY I thought that the obvious this for me to pursue was laser hair removal. So I took the required course which put me back a bit in the finance world and still 4 months later I don't have a job. I had one, but for reasons I don't want to get into now, I quit. It's very depressing being home. I have a lot of friends but maybe they are more like aquintances. I'm not open with them. So now I gained 7 lbs and my clothes are getting tight. I don't shop much because I don't have much to spend. I have to spend on the kids. Especially since we moved from a warm climate to a cold one. When I work I feel human. I feel worthles right now. Who cares if I just cleaned the toilet. But it makes me cry. In need to get out of this rut.

  • By carlie
  • on 12/17/08 9:11 PM EST
peaceful1

i have started a journal it is called Leave the Mud and learn to soar and i just love it.