No matter where you live or how well you manage your life, it can toss some curveballs your way. You may think you have no control over your emotional happiness, but if not you, then who does? The first thing you need to know is that you don’t have to feel happy only when the good stuff happens, and sad when things go wrong in life. 

It’s possible to be happy no matter what. But everyone can use a few tips in how to stay in control of your emotions, even when chaos is happening around you. 

Stop Pining for More: Often many people are simply not happy with what they have. They want a better job, nicer clothes, bigger house, or things others have. This leads to chasing your ideal life, rather than truly enjoying what you already have. 

Just remember when you were a teen and you were thinking how you’d love to get married, have a kid and maybe a pet or two, and perhaps a condo or a house. Now you do, and suddenly it’s not good enough!

You need to ground yourself in the present. Several times each day you need to stop and take a look around you. Appreciate what you have, whether it’s your family, home, or stuff. Do you really need that other thing that’s going to cost you more time and money? Nope!

Take Responsibility for Your Life: Feeling entitled is a big problem in our society today. It can also be easy to place blame. There’s that old saying, “you drove yourself here, now you must drive yourself out”. This means that only you are responsible for where you are today, no one else. If you want to make things better, then that’s great, but you’re the only one who can do it! No one else is responsible for your happiness. 

Stop and Take a Breather: Many people seem to feel the need to fill every 15-minute block of the day. In the last century, people lived moment by moment and if there was nothing to do, they simply took a breather. You can do that too. Put the game controller or the device down and do nothing. Relax and practice breathing control, or think about the cute things your kid did yesterday. But do avoid the urge to pick up that phone just because you ran out of things to do!

Expect Nothing: When you go into any situation and you create goals in your mind, it can set you up for disappointment. You can’t control what others do. You can’t even tell people what to do–well you can but then they get mad! You can simply smile, and accept the moment for what it is. Are you spending time with your spouse? Perfect! Are you learning new things? That’s great! 

No matter what you’re doing right now, make note of something you’re happy about, and let it carry you throughout the rest of the day.