I fondly remember a time when I used to play, have fun, enjoy life, and make happy memories. It wasn’t that long ago, so what happened?

Sure, the more responsibility we have to tackle, the more we can feel overburdened where we forget to take a break and enjoy a pleasant moment. We are the caretakers of our lives and need to figure out how to juggle all the stuff and still take care of ourselves.

So, how have we forgotten to pay attention to what is supposed to be important, like doing fun things that make us happy, laugh, help us relax?

We all have the ability to reach for better – to strive for that dream life and get it. The secret is never giving up no matter how bleak things look. It’s always dark before the light. Remember that.

When life gets hard, it’s time to figure out why.

Don’t put off being happy. We deserve a happy life, and it may not be easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard either.

Some sage advice:

1. Put yourself first. Do what brings you joy. Find a way to do the day-to-day stuff but still focus on what sparks joy.
2. Talk nice to yourself and never ever put yourself down. If you don’t want others to speak to you that way, don’t do it to yourself. You deserve better!
3. Find easier ways to accomplish things. For example, bundle errands to do in one day instead of spreading it out on multiple days.
4. Write things down! Give your brain a break from remembering everything and jot down notes, reminders, appointments, etc. Use the Notes app and calendar on your phone.
5. Ask for help! Believe me, I know this is difficult to do sometimes because it feels like it’s easier to just do something ourselves than to ask someone else to do it or show someone else what needs to be done but trust me, it’s not easier in the long run. People want to help, you just have to ask.
6. Don’t assume you know what’s in someone else’s head. The majority of us cannot read minds! Thinking for someone else is reckless and can cause hurt and pain, thereby making life hard from miscommunication and misinterpreting what someone said.
7. Open up and say what’s on your mind. It’s the right thing to do so that others know what is on your mind. The mind reader thing goes both ways.
8. Listen to your heart and do what makes you happy. I know it sounds simple but it’s really what will help you stop making life so hard. When you’re happy, life is good.
9. If you hurt someone, apologize. And try to be more sensitive to other people’s feelings. We all have feelings and everyone wants to feel respected and loved.

Cheers to a good life,

Francesca