If someone displays these 11 behaviors, they have a happy and fulfilling life

Do you live a happy and fulfilling life, or is it just a pipe dream for you at this point in time? If you asked me this even less than five years ago, I would tell you that I don’t see myself living a fulfilling life anytime soon.

But that time has arrived for me, and now, my life is indeed satisfying and joyful. I have a beautiful family, I do what I enjoy and get paid for it, and we finally own an apartment, which we have always wanted. 

So, what has brought me to this? Or, in other words, what behaviors are needed to achieve a happy and fulfilling life? Well, let’s discover this together, shall we? 

1) Stay positive

Life’s not always easy, is it? As someone who graduated college in the middle of a financial crisis of 2008, I struggled to find a decent job for many, many years. 

During that time, I put most of my goals and dreams on the back burner. Still, I dreamed big and tried to stay positive, knowing that my time would come sooner or later (it was later). 

But being positive doesn’t mean you’re ignoring life’s challenges; you’re simply facing them with an optimistic outlook

Happy and fulfilled people focus on solutions instead of dwelling on problems. That’s why a positive mindset is a powerful tool for resilience.

2) Embrace change

I’m sure you’ve noticed that the world is changing faster than ever. And you have two choices. You can either fight it, or you can embrace it. 

Change is the only constant, and embracing it is a skill. You need to adapt to new circumstances, learn from experiences, and realize that growth often comes from stepping out of your comfort zone.

In the last five years, I’ve had several businesses that failed, but I also had a couple that were successful and that I managed to sell them. 

If I gave up at the first hurdle, I would lose all the future experience and money I earned. That’s just to say that you need to be willing to fail and adapt to new circumstances if you want to be happy and fulfilled in the future

3) Chase passions, not trends

Passion is the secret sauce to a fulfilling life. If you’re not doing things that genuinely excite and fulfill you, there’s no way you’re going to be content with life. 

Trends may come and go, but your passions stay with you, shaping your journey. Plus, we spend so much time at work that it’s crazy to me that literally billions of people settle for jobs they absolutely hate. 

I’m not above earning an honest paycheck, but you’re also the only one responsible for your happiness. 

4) Gratitude is the key

Gratitude is about acknowledging and appreciating the positive parts of your life, be it your relationships, kids, having time for hobbies, the things you achieved, or even the simple joys like a warm cup of coffee in the morning.

If you can’t be happy and content about the little things in life, you probably won’t be happy with the big ones, either.

You’ll continue chasing the next thing, which means you’ll always be dissatisfied with life. 

5) Hang out with awesome people

Study after study proves that people who spend time with their friends are happier than the ones who don’t. 

That means that human connections are the heartbeat of a satisfying life. You need to maintain and enjoy your social circle and nurture relationships with friends and family. 

You also shouldn’t neglect your colleagues for the simple fact you’re spending so much time with them.

Above all, to be truly happy, surround yourself with people who support, challenge, and inspire you.

6) Learn, don’t just exist

pic1838 If someone displays these 11 behaviors, they have a happy and fulfilling life

If I ever stop learning new things and being curious, I’ll know that something’s wrong. 

I don’t think people fully appreciate that there are so many different ways you can educate yourself, and you don’t have to rely on formal education. There are no more gatekeepers of knowledge, and we have to make the most of it. 

To become and stay satisfied and fulfilled, you need to stay curious, explore new interests, and evolve as an individual.

But don’t neglect the following, too. 

7) Health first, Netflix later

Your body and mind are your primary tools. Prioritizing health involves not just physical well-being but also mental and emotional. 

It’s the foundation that allows you to pursue your goals with force. If you start neglecting it as I did, you quickly learn that bad habits catch up with you sooner or later. 

I now look at life as a table with three legs – family, health, and work. If I neglect either of them, the negative effects spill into the other two quickly. 

If you’re still eluding yourself that you don’t have the time for all three, make a schedule and carve out some time. 

Each week has 168 hours. That’s 168 chances to work, sleep, spend time with family and friends, exercise, and so on. 

Life is a juggling act, and balance is the key to preventing burnout, among other things. You must allocate time and energy to different aspects of your life – work, relationships, personal growth – so that none outweighs the others.

8) Being nice goes a long way

When we’re kind to others, we create a ripple effect, impacting both us, the giver and the receiver. 

We can make a positive impact on the world by being considerate and empathetic, one small gesture at a time.

For instance, a simple smile can brighten someone’s day. It creates a positive environment, and that person might pass on the good vibes to others.

I do tend to smile at others, but I much prefer to share my knowledge with them so they, too, can learn and grow. I also encourage people to do the same in an effort to multiply the effect. 

9) Let go of baggage

Holding onto past grievances or regrets isn’t good for you, but I’m sure you know that. For many years, I kept looking back at my previous choices that I thought were not so great. 

I was focusing on the past and not on the present or the future. I wasn’t thinking about how I can change now and what I can do to be in a better position tomorrow. 

And I get it, okay. It’s easier to blame yourself and your past decisions than it is to work on your problems. 

That’s why letting go is a process of forgiveness, acceptance, and freeing yourself from the burdens that hamper your progress.

10) Laugh often

Laughter is a universal language that exceeds barriers. When you can find joy in everyday things, people, and situations, when you can appreciate humor and not take life too seriously, of course, you’ll be more content in life. 

Laughter is a natural stress reliever that makes your journey more bearable and even fun. 

It’s hard to be lighthearted when you have countless bills and responsibilities hanging over your head.

But life is more than that. If we can’t enjoy it, then what are we doing here? But I have a trick or hack for this:

11) Live in the present

The present moment is where life happens. Living in the now means you’re being mindful and appreciating the current experience without being too consumed by the past or future.

When you focus on what’s happening around you now – not yesterday or tomorrow – you get to enjoy the special moments.

I only started fully appreciating this now that I have a son, and I realized that even though he’s only three, he’ll be grown up in no time. 

One day I’ll wake up, and he’ll be 18 and starting a new life away from us. Well, not if my wife can help it. 

You’re in the driver’s seat of your life 

The simple truth is that, for the most of it, you’re the one controlling your life. Taking ownership of your decisions empowers you. 

Whether they lead to success or failure, owning your choices allows you to learn, grow, and steer your life in the direction you desire.

Once you give the keys to someone else, you depend on them for your happiness and fulfillment. 

Can you expect them to care about that as much as you do? Probably not. 

Picture of Adrian Volenik

Adrian Volenik

Adrian has years of experience in the field of personal development and building wealth. Both physical and spiritual. He has a deep understanding of the human mind and a passion for helping people enhance their lives. Adrian loves to share practical tips and insights that can help readers achieve their personal and professional goals. He has lived in several European countries and has now settled in Portugal with his family. When he’s not writing, he enjoys going to the beach, hiking, drinking sangria, and spending time with his wife and son.

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