Ella’s Tips for a Meaningful Life (and other musings on happiness)

It feels wild that this is my last passion blog. It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in this same spot in the HUB trying to decide what to write about, figuring out what I’m passionate about. I decided on a topic that continually intrigues and occupies a large portion of my mental energy and curiosity in any given day: how happiness works and how I can attain it. Sometimes people treat happiness like it’s an old coat; they frantically scrap for it when it feels cold, or slip it on quietly for the sake of appearance, or let it get worn down and beaten up, pushing off into a closet until they really need it. But happiness isn’t one size fits all. It’s a choice, a feeling, a way of being that manifests space for one’s own health and things that bring in joy and light up the soul. I’ve learned a lot about what makes me happy writing these blogs. Besides just the content and practices itself within the blogs, I’ve found the most important things I get out of my blogs is the writing itself. It’s functioning as a creative outlet is something I desperately need. So, for this final blog, I’d like to write about tips I’ve accumulated and learned over the past year that I believe contribute to a meaningful life.

Ella’s Tips for a meaningful life:

• Work hard, play hard
• Create fun in the in between moments
• Sing in the shower
• Dance like nobody is watching
• Exercise when you feel sad or stuck
• Smile with your eyes
• Read before going to bed
• Take a risk to make a new friend
• Be honest and authentic in everything you do
• Find times to be silly and goofy
• Always do your best
• Do the next right thing
• Seek out the beauty in the world
• Climb to the highest point of a mountain at least once in your life
• Trust your instincts, use your head, follow your heart
• Have full conversations with little kids
• Do things because they are right, not because they are easy
• Forgive easily and often
• Find something you are really, really good at and pursue it with all you’ve got
• Have as many meaningful conversations as possible
• Prepare for the future but live in the now
• Let yourself feel things
• Dedicate 100% of your energy and mental focus to what you are doing in each moment and don’t worry about anything else
• Jam to a piece of music at least once a day
• Hold yourself to a high standard, but forgive yourself often
• Ask someone how their day was and really listen
• Practice mindfulness
• Prioritize people and experiences over things
• Advocate for those in need who cannot do it themselves
• Radiate confidence
• Know that your feelings are valid
• Choose to be your most authentic self
• Be smart and generous
• Think beyond your own sphere or person
• Constantly try and improve in everything you do
• Smile at at least one new person everyday
• Empathize with people who are different than you
• Tell people when you appreciate them
• Write
• Do not judge other people
• Never stop asking questions
• Connect with nature
• Love doesn’t discriminate

I have loved this opportunity to blog and hopefully will continue with it at some point. Thank you.

P.S. Here are some of the songs I was listening to when I wrote this blog. I should’ve done this every blog but better late than never!

Stupid Deep – Jon Bellion

Adore You – Harry Styles

I Lost a Friend  – FINNEAS

Light On – Maggie Rogers

There’s Still A Light In The House – Valley