Make Your Happiness Your Own

Zoom Out

"Changing your perspective, changes your experience"

It can be easy to have a myopic point of view when things just don't seem to be going the way you planned. While sometimes I also fall right into this trap, I remember to zoom out to see the larger picture. There are so many other components that go into life besides academics, family life, and work. Remembering that this is just one moment in your life and there is still so much yet to come is one of the best things you can do to protect your happiness.

Indulge and Take a Break

"There is virtue in rest and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither" -Alan Cohen

When it feels like you shouldn't take a break because you have too much to do is probably when you most need a break. It is important to give yourself a moment to breath and tell yourself everything will be okay. Take a moment to indulge in your passions and give

yourself the reward of going on a walk, watching an episode of your favorite show, or making a yummy dinner. There is no shame in wanting to take a break and in the end it might help to come back to a project/assignment with a clear head. When we are most stressed is usually when we are least efficient. Giving yourself will give you a chance to recalibrate your approach and give you more peace of mind. Remember...protect your peace!

Look at the Positives

"Look for something positive in everyday, even if some days you have to look a little harder"

When I was younger, I could have had the most abismal day and my Mom would say, "Mija, be happy. At least you're alive. A lot of people can't even say that." I took this as a dismissal of my feeling, but now that I've gotten older I take my Mom's words as wisdom I just wasn't ready for. Just by being alive we have the capacity to make the best of each day. After all, we don't get that exact day ever again. In other words, every day is a new blessing and you can either decide to make it a good day or continue on with your misery. I take this wisdom to heart to cultivate my happiness. I could have done terribly on an exam, but at least its just one exam. My cookies could have come out terribly, but at least now I know to check to make sure I am putting baking soda NOT baking powder in the batter. These are all lessons that unfortunately we have to suffer from, but in the end we become much better at our craft.

Surround Yourself With Good People

"A true friend accepts who you are, but also helps you become who you should be"

As someone who is very introverted I understand how scary it can be to make new friends. However, I have been very fortunate that I have formed a close knit

group of friends. They are incredible people that motivate me to be the best version of myself and to keep pushing on. It is really hard to find people who are genuinely cheering you on, but when you find them you start to build an amazing village. A large part of my happiness comes from experiencing new things and what better way to make new memories than with friends! Sometimes it can be as simple as going out to get boba or going to a concert. One thing is for sure, surrounding yourself with people who want what is best for you will always be rewarding!

Remember Your Past Struggles

"You can't move forward until you look back" - Cornel West

While it may seem backwards to look to your past for answers to your future there is some value in analyzing your past mistakes. The main point here is

that when you are feeling like your world is crumbling down, reflect on what you did the last time you felt like this. What worked and what didn't work? And how can you take that past experience to try to remember that everything always comes out okay. This goes back to zooming out. If you feel like your stress is about to swallow you whole, but listening to music and reaching out to friends helped last time, try it again. Something that happens to me every quarter is terrible testing anxiety. I have so much fear before exams that by the time I get to an exam I am praying for the end. Yet every-time I leave the exam I ALWAYS say, "Well that wasn't as bad as I thought." And that is that. Overtime my anxiety before exams has lowered because I try to remember all the times in the past that I have taken an exam and everything was okay in the end. Furthermore, it's a lesson to myself to trust more in myself, to know that I will have done my best and that is enough.